18 month old won't eat...?

Question

This has been an ongoing problem with my 18 month old son not wanting to eat..this has been going on since he was 12 months old. We have brought him to both our family doctor and an ear, nose, and throat specialist...and they all say it's teething. He hasn't gained a pound in six months! He is in the 50th percentile for both height and weight, so that's not an issue. Every time we sit him down to the table, he throws his food and most times will not eat a thing, but when he does, it's usually only crackers or fruit that he'll eat, which is not much at all. I have heard that toddlers can have a hard time w/ their appetites during teething times, but I would like to hear stories from other parents if possible. I guess I just need a little support. Because I dread it when it's meal time. Thank you!

Answer 1

I have the same problem with my 20 month old daughter. She is an extremely picky eater and won't eat anything unless it's starches or fruit. She won't eat meat or vegetables. She spits most food out that we give her or feeds it to the dog or throws it on the floor. It's so frustrating. She's very small for her age. She only weighs 17 1/2 pounds and she's not even on the charts with her weight, but she was also born with heart problems, so that's why. But our doctor suggested giving her Pediasure after dinner every day so she gets extra calories and the vitamins and nutrients she needs that she's not getting from the foods she won't eat. Maybe you can ask your doctor about trying that. My daughter loves the Pediasure and she drinks a whole can of it every night!

Answer 2

Im not going to make this a long story.  Our 16 month old is in the same boat.  Very picky eater.  Will only eat banana's, cheese, and noodles.  We want our son to eat more of a variety of food and so does the doctor.  You know what though, we give him what he wants.  We worry sometimes that he isn't eating enough, but when he is hungry he will eat.  I wish you luck. if the doctor says he is OK, then at least you have that piece of mind.

Answer 3

Well, the good thing is he's not underweight.  I know that my 16 month old son has not been eating so well during the past week or so and he's cutting a tooth too.  He usually doesn't have this problem though.  I would be worried about not ganing a full pound in the passed 6 months.  That is not good.  I love my pediatrician, but I think I would be getting a second or even a third opinion.  Maybe his system has some sort of intolerance that you don't know about?!?!  

I'm sure if you're asking that you have tried to feed him everything under the sun.  I fed my little boy a part of a hot dog the other day and he wouldn't eat it.  I put it in the microwave for about 10 seconds and he attacked it.  Is his food too hot, too cold, maybe?!?!  I'm just trying to help you rule out anything.  I don't have an exact answer.

Answer 4

tell him that thomas the tank engine eats cauliflower cheese and that what makes him go choo choo.  show him thomas the tank engine and explain that this is his favourite meal.  make meal times fun..  show him that you are having lunch wit him and let him feed you.  they will get over this stage.  my daughter just launched toad in the hole off me for months, so i stopped wearing nice clothes. lol.  when u have toothache you dont wanna eat and playing wit your food is much better than eating it at this age. lol.  good luck.  also try lettin him cook the food with you.  i let my daughter make scrambled egg.  she hated it before this but as SHE made it she ate it and loves it for breakfast every day.

Answer 5

Stop giving him crackers and fruit.  Stop letting him snack and set a meal for him.  If he doesn't eat remove him from the table and give him NOTHING until the next meal.  He will NOT starve but he will know that he isn't going to get HIS way when it comes to meal time.