why wont he eat ??

[lilly_kitt]

Hi

Tyler is almost 8 months old and is rubbish at eating, i've managed to sort his breakfast so he eats that, but he refuses his dinner.  I'm not sure whether we need to ditch his 11am bottle or to change the time he eats.  At the moment i try and give him dinner when he wakes from his afternoon nap, but he never wants it.  I dont know if its because he's just not hungry after having his bottle before his nap or if its his teeth.  Its really getting me down now, as we're lucky if he has two meals a day.

Please help, all suggestions greatly appreciated.

Sarah

[~Sara~]

Hi Sarah, could you post what his EAS looks like...really, just listing the times when he eats/has his bottles/snacks and then how much for each?  Having had a difficult transition to solids eating, too, it took DS a couple of months to be on 3 *good* meals a day.  It's a time for trying things out, and since milk is still his main source of nutrition, it's okay if you have some bumpy days.  But, hopefully, we can get some insight from his feeding log

[lilly_kitt]

Hi

Here is todays, it can change to his how long his naps are.

E 7AM Wake and bottle (7oz)
A 8AM Play with daddy and porridge (which he finishes)
S 9AM Nap for 1-1.5 hours
E 11AM Bottle 7 (oz)
A 11.30
S 1.30PM (usually for 1.5 hours)
E Lunch (Try jar, pouch, my own, anything)
A
S 4.30 (sometimes catnap - mostly not)
E 5.30 Dinner (at the moment he has rusk with milk)
Then bedtime routine starts at 7, bath, bottle and bed, if he skips his last nap is asleep by 7.30.  We have moved his bedtime back abit to try and fix the EW.  But he is also teething, just started to crawl and in nursery.

Sarah
x

[Seona1973]

Have you tried offering food before he has his 1.30pm nap e.g. 12/12.30pm.  Does he only have 3 bottles or is there another one in there somewhere?

[lilly_kitt]

he has one at 7, 11, 3 and one to go to bed.  Also has one overnight...  I have tried before his nap but he gets too tired to eat.

[First Time Mom]

I don't think I'd worry too much about adding the addtional meals at his age. He's getting 4 full bottles of milk which is where he is getting the bulk of his nutrition from at this age. My ds barely at 2 meals at that age, it was really only when he hit 10 months that he really got into 3 meals and it's only now at 11 months that he is eating a decent quantity of food. A lo will only eat so much food in a 24 hour period (milk included) and if he's taking 4 bottles during the day and one during the night then that's probably why he is not as interested in his food just yet. Don't worry too much, it will all change in time as they will start to prefer the solids over the milk.

[~*Nicole*~]

I bet the overnight bottle is a contributing factor. My DD dropped to about 3 bottles/day around this time and none overnight. It's fine to keep the bottles up but then don't stress about the solids as he is surely getting all the nutrition and calories that he needs.

[Canadian_Mom]

As pp said there is no need to stress too much about the quantity of solids he is taking at this point.  When DS was that age he ate VERY little as well.  A couple of tbsp of baby cereal for breakfast and maybe 1-2tbsp of fruit or veggies for lunch.  DS is slowly starting to increase his solids intake but he likes his milk!  It is so hard to not compare to other babies that are the same age and eating so much more!

We were only doing two meals as well at 8 months (8:30 and 1:30) with bottles at 7:30, 12:30, 5:00, 8:15.

That night feed could certainly be playing a factor in him being less hungry...have you thought about weaning it yet?  I know that there is a link about weaning night feeds, but I don't know how to post it...

[lilly_kitt]

Hi

Well now he wont eat at all, he purses his lips and shakes his head.  I'm not sure if its his teeth, or whether to talk to my HV.  He still has his milk   

[Canadian_Mom]

Have you tried pain meds about 30 mins before meals?  If it is teething that might help.  I know that DS went through a period of about 1.5 weeks where he would refuse bottles, cups, spoons, finger food, feeding with my fingers, every meal time it was a guessing game as to which method he would take, and if he would eat at all!!

[~inbalance~]

If he's refusing solids at the moment, maybe take a breather and try them again in a day or two.  Don't push the issue, he is still getting his milk.  You do want to encourage it, but you don't want him to associate negative feelings with eating.  When he refuses, just say "it's ok if you don't want it, we'll try again later" and leave the issue for the time being.  It could be his teeth and a chat with his doc or HV never hurts as they might have some suggestions as well.  Don't stress, some babies don't take to solids as quickly as others, and you still have some months to play around and encourage him to eat more. 

[Megewansmum]

Hi...

I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you but wanted to tell you that my DD is just over 9 months and has apparently gone on "hunger strike". I spoke to the HV and she just said to ride out the storm and as long as she's still drinking her milk not to panic. Apparently it is normal for some babies to do this. I understand how worrying and stressful it is when you see other babies devouring everything they are given and still wanting more and your baby barely touching solids.

My DD is tiny for her age and has never really been a big milk drinker or eater and this is hopefully just another worrying phase. I was told to relax at mealtimes as much as possible. They also said to try giving picnics on the floor and offering stuff from my plate rather than give her "meals".

Sorry I can't offer more advice but just to let you know your not alone!