8.5 mo old won't eat solids

[cliffrose]

Everytime i put him in the highchair, he starts throwing himself around (you know, the back arching thing), wailing, tears, the whole bit. won't eat- went from eating 3 meals a day to less than one.... been on solids since 4.5 mo- great eater until a week ago. HELP- he's always hated the high chair, that i know, but eating? no way.

i do not see this as teething.....

any observations, comments, help? i am trying not to make the eating a battle, if he refuses i wait a few minutes, try again, and if he continues, i just take him out of the chair and move on, but he used to be so sweet and easy and now he is a minor tyrant... HELP.

[maggieruth]

my son is about a month behind yours and has only been on solids for one month and a bit but i find that sometimes bf and THEN eating helps esp in the evening as my son gets too hungry to wait for spoonfuls etc and a cuddle and slurp is nicer that sitting poker straight and waiting for a mouthful of food
good luck!

[cliffrose]

I wish- we tried bottle first, but he just doesn't want solids! it's like he suddenly hates all the foods he once loved. the only thing he will take is a zweiback or a teething biscuit, and even then not much. thanks though.

[isaac'smom]

I'm sorry to hear that you're having a rough time!

Here are just a few thoughts I'm having.....

* Could it be the texture of the foods you're offering? Have you introduced  more lumpy foods that he's not happy about? 

* Could he be teething?

* Are you offering any other fluids besides milk/formula (e.g. juice, water) that may be interfering with his appetite?

* Your son is possibly a bit too young yet for finger foods, but I know my ds gets annoyed when I try to feed him with a spoon when he's not eating enough by himself. I know he's a lot older, but it could be the independence thing starting. He'd rather try to feed himself. Perhaps your little guy is ready for finger foods soon (if he's sitting up straight in the high chair, holding food with his hands and moving the food from his hands to his mouth)

* Do you eat all together at meal time? That might become a cue for him to know that it's time to eat when he sees everyone doing it.

* Are there any distractions (T.V., noisy siblings, toys, etc.) during his meal times?

* Any sickness, ear infections?

I think you're doing really well to not force him to eat. The last thing you want is to make meal times a stressful experience (for everyone!  :roll: )
I know it's frustrating. You just want to make sure your little one eats enough. He'll let you know how much food he needs. Each day it seems they eat different amounts too. You seem very patient, so keep it up!

 

[cliffrose]

thank you so much for those words- his behavior has degenerated in everyway lately, and yes, he has been ill, but his fever is gone (not the cough though), do you really think that could be causing this?!?

i am just nervous that my lovely son has vanished forever.....

[Kitsmom]

Boy, from your post - I would say, this is very stressful for you.  I hope that things change for you soon.

My first was a wonderful eater.  But, occassionally she would refuse food for a week or so.  I tried feeding her when she was sitting on my or my husband lap.  That worked sometimes.  I also tried giving her lots of toys to play with (kept only for the highchair) while she ate.  Sometimes that worked.  But, most of the time, I would put her in her chair, try to feed her, after a short fuss, I would take her down and continue the day.  She would start eating good again after a week or so.

Good luck.  Try to avoid offering more than one food at mealtime.  Meaning trying everything to get him to eat.  Offer one choice.   If he doesn't eat, take him down.  Don't get angry or stressed.  Just remind yourself that this will pass.  You can get into trouble later if you let your lo have control or give to many choices.  I should know. hee hee.

[maggieruth]

i am so sorry! (and hopeful that this doesn't happen at our house!)
good luck, i am sure someone will give you advice that works sooner or later
if it helps any, you are sposed to look at what a baby eats over a whole week rather than at any one meal (are all the meals terrible?)
i have loaned out a book on this to a friend, when i get it back i will check back in with you... basically the author said that no baby would starve themself and they go through a period of not growing as fast and therefore not eating as much and that parents are notorious for thinking babies need more.  he also said that if parents DO manage to feed their unwilling babies that they are forced to not swallow and spit up or puke later so at least if your lo doesn't need the meals as badly as you think you have done the right thing by respecting him!
he isn't loosing weight is he?  try not to worry too much in the meantime! (i know, easier said than done!)

[cliffrose]

thanks for the kind words-

i'll just keep plugging away.

[Beata]

Cliffrose -

My lo is the same way. She was never a good eater, but now she does that whole thrashing thing at all meals. I have resorted to offering solids before breast, but that does not seem to be working either. We did go through a bout of sickness and she may have a tooth coming in (one already there) so I'll let you know if anything I do works!

I have tried toys, fingerfoods, games...none of it does any good. She'll eat some cheerieos and toast, but then after 5 minutes she starts swinging her han side to side and trhowing what's there off the tray.

I think I will try the only one food thing. I thy to offer many and then she really gets mad.

I worry too because I just ready that babies should get about 50 calories per pound (20 pound baby = 1000 calories). 1 ounce of milk or formula ios about 20 calories I think) then the rest from solids. We don't get anywhere close...if I am lucky we get about 120 fruit calories into her!!!

Let me know how it's going.

[cliffrose]

Hi:

we offered him cheerios today- that worked for breakfast-- i don't know that it was so much, but he did eat and didn't scream alot....

lunch was pretty good too- DH scrambled some egg yolk- we are hoping that adding finger foods is the way to go, but it will be a couple of days before we are sure...

thanks for the support and i hope things get better with your lo.