1 year old doesn't eat enough! Help!?

Question

My daughter just turned a year and I have so much trouble getting her to eat. I am still breastfeeding her but she only eats when it's time to sleep. She doesn't ever seem to want to eat anything I try to give her & I feel like she isn't getting enough nutrition or that she is hungry. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Don't cajole her into eating, don't stress over how much she's eating -- a 1yo's meals are miniature, and she's still fine with getting most of her nutrition from your milk -- just offer her what you're eating, when you're eating. It works, I promise. If you make yourself a tomato sandwich, put a chunk of tomato and a piece of bread down on her tray. She _will_ get the idea, and it will be much nicer for both of you than fighting every mealtime.

Answer 2

Maybe she is not hungry when you think she should be hungry?

Just have your normal, breakfast, lunch and dinner. She will eventually eat. She won't starve herself. Make sure she is not filled up on liquids too.

Answer 3

First, I applaud you for still breastfeeding her! Many mothers don't make it this far, but it is good for both of you that you are still breastfeeding. Go you!

At this age, she should be eating before getting breast milk, as the breast milk is not as necessary to her diet (though milk is still important). So feed her baby food or solids (depending on what stage she's at...some 1 y/o's are still on baby food, but most are on to solids), then offer her the breast.

Don't deny her milk to make her so hungry she'll eat anything, but don't give in and give her the breast without offering food first. Keep trying, and she'll start eating more food when she's ready. You can't force-feed her at this age; it'll just cause bad eating habits in the future.

Also, talk to your baby's doctor, and make sure she's at her proper weight and that she is getting enough nutrients. If she is getting enough nutrients as is, then you don't have to worry too much about it, but just make sure to keep offering food before the breast. If she's not getting enough nutrients, her doctor can offer ideas on how to make sure she does.

Answer 4

yea for breastfeeding! my son is still breastfeeding 13 months strong.

here are a few things to think about.

1 she's not starving she's got the best stuff in the world.

2 is she eating snacks through the day?

3 did she just go through a growth spurt ?

4 when my son turned 12 months he slowed down.

if you feel it to be a concern contact your doctor and have her weighed .

as long as she's getting breast milk she'll be fine.

(she does need other foods now since she's a year )

listed is a growth chart for breastfed babies

good luck mama