My Son Won't Eat!

My daughter is 11 months old and really likes her puffs and crackers mostly too! Any tips for me would be great as well.

Chicken nuggets usually go over well with the pickiest eater. My oldest was a picky eater at that age. I had the hardest time trying to get her to eat. I started giving her chicken nuggest, chicken fingers, fish stick, etc... I also gave her raw veggies. She loved them and still does to this day. Hope this helps you a little. Good luck.

When my son was small, he never ate a whole either. The doctor always said, "If his weight is fine, (and he was under the average too), then don't worry to much." Try giving him the foods he likes and see if he wants to try similar foods in the category. He is only at 10 months. Some babies don't really eat serious foods until after 12 months. Does he have teeth yet? This can effect eating habits too. If he is sickly, then I would worry more. You could seek advise from the doctor's office too.

Hi K.! I am somewhat "in your boat". My 9 m/o seems disinterested in foods altogether. He did great the first few months that we started solids. I'm at home right now (just temporary) so I'm fortunate to get to work with him 1:1. We just had his 9 month well visit and said that he is in the 10th % for his weight. I couldn't believe it. She told me to increase protein intake and to increase his BM/formula intake. I honestly can't feed this kid anymore than what he wants to take in. I feel like I give him enough time with feedings. I do have to supplement with formula after nursing him, but he really doesn't want the formula. I was told he needs something like 28 to 32 oz of liquid. There's no way he takes that much in. I feel like I need to listen more to my son's needs than what a text book is telling me... maybe I should. I mean he seems satiated enough and he's not fussy afterwards. Sorry, I needed to let that out. As far as foods, he'll put everything else in his mouth except food. He's not feeding himself yet (which is okay for now) and he also won't chew so everything is still pureed. I try to make homemade foods and add some fun spices and things, but he still doesn't show much interest. Let me know if you find something that works for you, maybe I could try it!

A tip for you that I've heard from other parents is to try crushed cheerios or maybe crackers to give more texture to the foods. Good luck!

Hi. Your son is simply telling you that he is not ready for solid food. Leave off a week or two and then let him tell you what he might be interested in. You'll see him reach for your cheerios, your banana, your pasta, whatever. It would be best not to introduce anxietty of any kind into meal situations. Just let it develop at his pace. Trust me on this, he won't let himself starve.

Sincerely, L..
P.S. I am 50, have 3 grown children and two grandchildren.

If he likes the crunchy, maybe try to deep fry the veggies???
or try baking with cheese on it til it turns brown n crunchy?
try dipping the meat in milk, then crunched up corn flakes and fry it. Hope this helps
M.

K.,
I worked in early intervention for over 10 years (until I became a mom), so I would guess that your experience working with oral motor, SI issues, etc. you're likely over analyzing why your son isn't really into the solid food scene. (My daughter didn't roll over until she was 10 months old an I thought for sure we were heading toward an IFSP of some kind!-When she finally started rolling I think she went straight to climbing...) So unless your pediatrician is greatly concerned about his diet, I would just back off the solid food thing for a few weeks and try again. He just simply may not be ready at this time- but he will be! Hang in there.

Along with having some sensory possibilities he may be getting in a set of molars. One thing (and I have an extremely picky eater) is not to let him see that it frustrates you. Offer him something you know he will eat as well as something he may not each time. That is how we avert many dinner time crisis. I make one meal with something for everyone. They have to atleast try the foods to be excused for the most part. The older two are really good at eating many different things. My youngest has many food aversions as well due to him being within the autistic spectrum umbrella. :)

Cooked veggies just don't have the same texture as puffs--they are wet, smooshy, etc. I have a few picky/sensory eaters myself. Try the freeze dried veggies and fruits. You can get some (bananas, strawberries, apple, corn) in the baby food isle and sometimes a greater variety at the health food store. I use Wild Oats. They are dry and crunchy and all of my kids love them!

I did pediatric physical therapy before I had kids and and now have a child with motor difficulties (among others). I think I would be a much better therapist now!

I know what u are going through, my son would not eat baby food at all except for the ceareals and he would not eat table food, except this meal I got from schwans it was rice brocolli, mushrooms and cheese, then he would eat mashed potatos for awhile, then the only thing he would eat would be instant cream of wheat but only the brown sugar ones no other kind so I would have to travel over the bridge once a month just to get it as they did not carry it in our stores, my son is five now and he still eats very limited stuff but a little more, he will alternate, between cinamon toast crunch, fruit pebbles, cocoa puffs, and choclate chip pop tarts the only kind he will eat, and only certain fruit snacks, scooby doo, care bears, build a bear work shop, will not eat any other kind, he will not touch fruit he gags on them and he will not touch vegetables, wic told me he was overweight but he is just tall and anyone who has seen him knows he is not overweight, he is 5 1/2 and 48lbs, so I am sure ur son will eventually start eating other things when he is ready oh yeah and my son will eat pancakes if we go to bob evans, and he will now eat a few bites off a pizza now. I would just give him little bites off my own plate of different things I had sometimes he liked them sometime he didn't and sometimes he liked them when they were on my plate but when they were on his own plate he didn't like them. hope that helps a little.

Hi K.,

I'm coming from a breastfeeding paradigm, I'll try to expand a bit for you since you might be bottlefeeding- take what you need and leave the rest!

Many children are not ready to do more than taste solid food for well over a year. Food is a novelty teething item, nothing more. When you have a time dictate placed on weaning- from the breast or bottle- it goes against the nature of the child. Forced weaning is an artificial construct of Western civilization, brought on by a belief that pushing children to be independent makes them independent. Science teaches that this cultural belief is false- children have needs and when you meet those needs, eventually they are fulfilled and the need ends, the child moves on to other things. Instead the Western idea is to not meet the need (being close to mama at night, sucking needs) and so the need manifests in other ways- usually as regressions like temper tantrums, toileting issues, etc.

If you are still nursing (or using age-appropriate formula) and your child doesn't want to eat much, you don't have to worry, they will eat when they are ready. Also, since you know your child is getting the nutrition they need, you can offer snack foods that might be less healthy (some of the crunchy things you mentioned) knowing that they are still getting a fairly balanced diet. Conversely you can refuse to offer anything but super-healthy first foods (raw apples are crunchy! Carrots can be great for teething-) knowing that your child is still getting all they need from breastmilk (or formula) and that if they refuse to eat, it's not a big deal, they aren't going hungry.

I fall into the second camp although with 5 kids our diet has definitely declined over time. Still you can definitely shape palates at this stage by offering things like hummus and tabouli. (another crunchy food- whole grain pita bread, toasted.) :O)

I have one child who needed ST and had oral sensitivity issues. He wouldn't eat foods with certain textures for a long time and is still my pickiest eater. I'm sure you have worked with enough kids to know how to introduce different textures and temperatures. You've given your child the gift of allowing him to explore feeding himself and the textures and other properties of the foods you've given him. Don't worry, refusing food at 10 + months is well within the realm of normal. :O)

I am constantly frustrated with my sons on and off lack of eating, but just hang in there. Everything I read says they go through phases, but mine won't eat well for a month which is definitely difficult to deal with. If he's still growing try not to stress. As far as crunchy vegetables, you could try chopping fresh carrots and apples very fine. My son loves it! I use the Pampered Chef hand chopper, but you could also use a food processor. This also worked last night with yellow squash steamed just until slightly tender.

My son was the same way. No matter what we offered him, he wouldn't eat. It really isn't a big deal. If you are worried about the vitamins, try adding a packet of Carnation Vanilla Breakfast Shake to his beverage once a day. My son is now 2 1/2 and eats just about everything we put in front of him, but even that didn't start until about a month ago. Hang in there, and as long as he is still growing at a normal rate, don't sweat it.

The best I can tell you is that it will get better. Both my sons (3 1/2 & almost 2) have and still have issues eating at times. The worst times I notice are when they are actively teething or sick. If either one has a post nasal drip or are chewing their fingers (and everything in site) all they want are toast and pretzels. I have found that if I let them eat those things for a day or so, they usually come right back to eating and trying new things. I hope this helps.

Hello. My oldest child (now 10) woudn't touch solid foods until she was 13 months old. She was breast fed until she was 18 months old. You can't force food on your son. Follow his lead. He'll eat solids when he's ready. If you start with eating struggles now, it will become a huge problem when he's a toddler. As long as he's getting breast milk (preferable), or formula and snacking on the biscuits, he'll be just fine and will transition to food naturally.

When he is ready, try only feeding him one or two food types per week. I always started with grains & vegetables, so my girls wouldn't get hung up on the sweet taste of fruit and only eat that. Your son may have a taste sensory overload and just refuse to try new foods because his body isn't ready.

Good luck.
A. Sherrow,
Editor, Southeast Ohio Parent Magazine
www.southeastohioparent.org

No earth shattering advise I'm afraid other than to say don't sweat it. Both of my children have gone through extremely picky times and I have spoken with their pediatrician each time. I have even questioned the possibility of something like Pediasure. The doctors have always told me that they will eat. It may seem as though they are not getting what they need- but every toddler goes through this. Just keep offering healthy alternatives and he will eventually branch out. If you are concerned medically, then of course call your child's doctor and check with them. But- other than that...try to relax about meal time and maybe he will too.

K.,
If he likes the crunchy, I would just steam the veggies. I have a 2 yr old daughter with Down Syndrome. We started her with pureed foods. But it sounds like your son goes for the crunchy. Have you tried pureed foods at all. All I know is to be patient. I know we sure had to be!
Good luck!
M.

Hi K.,
I am having the same issue with my son. I actually posted on it last week, so maybe you can look at that and see if you can find any suggestions from the responses?
I would try some crackers and see if he will eat those. Also, chicken nuggets cut up into bite sized pieces might do for him. Also, toasted waffles may be to his liking. I found at this age that my son would like something one day and not the next. He used to love sweet potatoes. Now, he won't even look at them! I think they go through these little phases...
Good luck!

Wht u should do is wait til he is hungry

have you given him frozen english peas?

I had a friend once that had convinced her son that the frozen peas were candy.. until another auspiscious child ruined it.

Any way... watermelon? Apple sauce?

My kids were fond of the baby food dinners. Like chicken/broccoli mixed. Or beef and carrots...etc.

Hi K.--

A couple of things to try--frozen peas. My 12 month old LOVES them, he's been eating them for several months. It also feels good on their gums. Try one. They aren't as hard as you might think. Also little pieces of apple--pea size or maybe even apple "sticks" so he can hold it and easily bite off a piece. You'll have to watch him carefully though! Also, as an SLP you might already know this, but be careful not to let him burn out on the foods he is eating. Try to make sure that he is not getting the same things to eat in a 48 hour period, ar at least change the presentation of the food--ie color or flavor (like with yogurt) or shape. My oldest has mild autism and we attended "feeding therapy" for a short time. Something else you might try--soup. I will take the soup and drain off the liquid and rinse a little and then serve him that. He seems to like all the variety and "adult" taste.

Good luck,
N.

Hey K. - he may be getting teeth and the only thing that feels good on his gums is food that isn't too hard or too soft. Kids inately will not let themselves starve. Just keep offering him foods and he'll eat what he wants when he's hungry. Next week he could be back to normal. Hang in there - if he starts to lose weight or stops making wet and poopy diapers -call your pediatrician. Hang in there!

i'm an slp too. my 2 1/2 year old was like this at first too. i think i was just rushing her. i did have success w/ adding graham cracker crumbs or bread crumbs to thicken foods like yogurt or applesauce. gradually increase the thickness/chunkiness and textures. stay on one item for a week before switching. and i just offered small portions of soft fruit or veggie sticks or any finger food until she eventually tried them. i plan to make my new son's baby food (instead of jars) with the hopes that this might transition him better.

If you go to Wal Mart they have this little stainless steel collander looking thing with a little steel post in the middle. You are supposed to drop it down in a pan and put water under it in the pan. Put your veggies in it and put a lid on it and steam them. Just keep a watch out for the water to run out. You may have to add some every so often. I steam them and before they are done turn them off because they will continue cooking after you turn them off. You can watch them or stab them with a fork or knife for your desired texture and tenderness. That keeps in all the vitamins too.

Now, my little girl did the same thing. I never fed her baby food. I just wasted my money. I mashed up everything that we had and gave to her. After a while she did exactly what your little boy is doing. I was concerned also so I asked the pediatrician. She told me not to worry about it that they all did that and the older that they got the less calories that they really need and then she said that you can look at her little fist and if it were in a fist that is the size of her stomach. She said that a couple of bites and she would be full BUT she may want to eat more often. Her suggestion to me was to offer good food, let her see me eat the same thing. She said sometimes that their little minds are so busy that they didn't want to take the time to stop. So I started giving her a bite here and there while she was running around the kitchen. (I didn't want to train her like that but the pediatrician assured me that she wouldn't do it for long... but right now it was fun and explorative). So that is what I did. And she was right. Most the time she would take a bite as she crawled around on the floor exploring. For those times that she didn't, the ped. told me to just not worry about it that she would eat when she got hungry... just always offer it and let her see me eat it too. Then she said don't ever ever ever forget to give her a vitamin every single day. So I got liquid vitamins and put it in her bottle every morning.
That is the info and the suggestions that I have coming from my pediatrician.
When I was concerned she said that I was making too much out of nothing and not to worry about it.
So that is how I did it.
Hope that helps.!

Hi K.,
I had the same problem with my daughter and my granddaughter. We took my granddaughter to the pediatrician and he put her on Pediasure. As long as your son is gaining weight don't be too alarmed with it. He will start eating again. Also he may be getting his one year old molars. By the way my granddaughter is only 23lbs and is almost 3yrs now. Doc says she is healthy and we can certainly tell it by the thing called terrible 2 thru 18. LOL

G.

my son never really had a problem eating (he was more than extatic to put anything in his mouth) but certain times he would start to be finicky or would just throw his food to the floor. so i started letting him help with the preparation. he's only 13 months so this consisted of opening the fridge for me, and looking at the food inside. then i would point to the food i wanted him to take out and he would get it for me. i got a stool that he could stand on so he could watch me make the food and maybe even sample some before it was time to eat. after watching everything he was very excited to eat it.

other times if he wasn't interested in eating i would just let him down and eventually he would come back to his chair and nibble on what was left on his tray.

just a couple of thoughts. hope everything work out for you

-E.

Have you ever tried coating some fruit, veggies or meat? Take some puffs or cheerios and place in a ziploc bag. Use your hand or an object to crush into a powdery form. Then, take the other food and coat with the powder/crumbs. This will give the food a crunchy texture and will be easier to grasp. Hope this will work for you!!

what about giving him raw friuts and vegies that are cut up really fine. as long as he has teeth he should be able to handle them. not real sure what to do about meant, unless you give him chicken nuggets that are maybe baked in the oven instead of fried. just keep trying. i've always heard that it takes 10-15 tried before a child will decide if they like something or not. also, is he cutting teeth right now? if so, he won't have much of an appetite for regular food, but the hard cruchy edges of biter biscuits and puffs will feel good on his gums. maybe try massaging his gums with a cold wet wash cloth or giving a dose of hylands teething tablets or baby tylenol or motrin to help ease the discomfort.

Hey fellow speech therapist!!!
Does sound a little sensory like you said. I do A LOT of pediatric feeding therapy in my practice. I have attended some trainings on the "SOS approach" by Kay Toomey and she has some wonderful suggestions. I developed a website this last Christmas and put a link to some of her info under "feeding milestones" on my site. Feel free to check it out and fire away if you have any questions (either via mamasource or my personal email which is on my website.) If you are worried about #3 foods, DO NOT. I get tons of calls from parents about having trouble getting their children to eat them and I always tell them to "let it go." I advise them to move on to table foods. That link will have similar foods to try that fit into the same category as the foods that your son already eats as well. You might even try the hierarchal approach with new food introduction that is at that link as well.
Hope this helps a little and good luck.
J. M.
www.jennifermcveyslp.com

Hi K.,

I wonder if your little one's aversions might have anything to do with allergies. Perhaps you might want to take him to a pediatric allergist who can do some skin prick testing. I was told by some, when my son was your age, that kids his age are too young to test. That the results won't be accurate. That's not true. My son was tested at your son's age and had lots of allergies. Having this information really helped. No, the skin prick tests are not 100 percent accurate, but they really made a huge difference for us. The other thing is this: food allergies do not always present as hives, difficulty breathing, etc. There is such a thing as cell-mediated food allergies (as opposed to IgE-mediated food allergies, which are the immediate sensitivity reaction -- peanuts and the like) and kids with those sorts of allergies might express them, to begin with, as an aversion to certain foods.

Being a speech therapist, you have wonderful insight into the situation, and my guess is that it very well could be an oral aversion issue. You would know best. But I brought up the allergy thing because I thought you should have all the information.

FYI: RAST testing is, in general, a less accurate way to test for allergies. It's a blood test. Then there is patch testing, which is a newer approach to allergy testing (used at some of the big-name hospitals, like CHOP in Philadelphia) and it's a more drawn-out procedure used to get a sense of whether someone is having a delayed reaction.

MORE information that you needed/wanted?!!? Sorry! Just thought I'd put it out there if your situation does not resolve over time.

Take care,
C.

Hi K.-
A question. When he tries these foods that aren't crunchy, does he gag a lot? Does he seem to have an overactive gag reflex? If so, you might want to do a google search on Asperger's Syndrome (his behavior sounds very similar to a dear friend's son, who has Asperger's).

Otherwise, my advice is not to make it a battle of wills. Put food in front of him. Make sure it's nutritionally balanced, and either he eats or he doesn't. I have been assured by many child health experts (writing about children's issues was my former job) that a toddler will not starve himself, and that even though it may not seem like they're getting much, they also have very small stomachs.

Oh, also, look for Jessica Seinfeld's recent cookbook. She talks about how to include fruit and vegetable purees into your cooking-- you may be able to hide some nutritional stuff somehow.

Good luck.

Good luck.