Hi (again) Everyone,
I'm really a bit stressed about my DS's current food habits. This is my 2nd post, if you don't count the handy link ( Dr Sears) post. So to recap, as I wrote before, my 16 month old DS had always been a fantastic eater since weaning, there was very little he would refuse untill around 6 weeks ago. Now he will eat very little from the spoon, although I'm teaching him to feed himself and he enjoys that, but only yoghurt. He usually eats a good breakfast of porridge, which he allows me to give him. But almost everything else is sweet. His vegetable intake has gone down to zero
and this worries me greatly, although he inhales all fruit and it's NEVER refused. I have tried dozens of new finger foods, most of which he refuses to even try. I have made it fun, by making building blocks out of sausages and cheese etc but most of it ends up on the floor. I have tried to chill out (and managed somewhat) as I know it's a common phase but my main concern is whether I am giving him too much choice. Some advice says to allow them to eat what he wants when he will, but my Stepsister says her son Ethan was exactly the same and if he refused his food and threw it she would only give him back what he first had, and eventually he started eating it
I must admit I have been a conveyor belt of choice, and when one thing goes on the floor he gets another and usually he arrives at his favourites, but I have just spent 3 weeks getting him back on his 1 nap schedule after illness and I don't want him to wake from his nap, or in the morning from hunger. He still has 6 oz bottles am and pm and a 2 oz with water before his nap. Does his milk need dropping? I worry that will only make him hungry.
Also: he is teething, 3 molars and now 2 incisors bulging, so I strongly suspect it's related. I have him on a multivitamin with cod liver oil daily as a security blanket but I really feel a terrible faliure as his Mammy right now..I should be doing better
.
Pleeeeease tell me your experiences. Do I ride it out? or do I take the bull by the horns and structure his meals and if he doesn't eat them that's his choice
He is an excellent weight, well covered and not dropping, and I know he won't starve himself, but I'm really conflicted at which way to go now.
I await your replies with great hope of experience and wisdom.
Thank you
xxx.