Help! My 11 month old son wont eat!

Question

My son will be 11 months old in a week and he will not eat for me anymore. He went from eating about 6 jars of baby food per day to about 1 total jar now because he just wont eat. he will eat a few bites then get mad, clench his mouth shut and put his hands by his face so that i cant feed him. Its been about a week since he has started this and I have had no choice but to give him more bottles even though i have been trying to cut back since he will be weened in about a month. I tried some table food and he will eat a few little pieces then start throwing them so i tried putting some in his mouth and he pulls it out and throws it. i just don't know what to do at this point. Can anyone give me advice to help? He is now eating about 5-6 bottles a day when he should be only getting 3...but i feel like i have no choice because hes not eating enough otherwise.

Answer 1

These little critters are smarter than you think. He is training you. You say you have no choice than to give him more bottles. He is holding out for them because that's what he wants. If you cut back the bottles to where you should, I bet he will start eating more....but not without a fight.

  A doctor once told me that a very young child can hold out for a cookie, knowing that if he doesn't eat the other food his mommy will eventually give him the cookie and he will learn that this behavior works. Your little guy is probably just really smart.

  The question is who is more stubborn, you or the child.

Answer 2

I would call your pediatrician.  It is not normal and could suggest problems he is having with his stomach or digestive tract.

At 11 months - he should be eating more table food.  Cheerios?  Gerber puffs?  Perhaps go through the baby food aisle and pick things you haven't purchased before.  Maybe he is tired of the same old food.

Perhaps he is getting some more teeth.  Babies get fussy and lower their appetite when teething or feeling pain.  He could also be catching a cold, though I do suspect the symptoms would have shown in a week.

Answer 3

Try letting him feed himself. My son would get really mad when we would try to feed him, but do just fine by himself. It will probably be messy the first few times, but definitely worth it since he's eating

It could also be that he just finished a growth spurt and doesn't need as much to eat. Or he just plain doesn't like the baby food anymore.

If you try the table foods again, start with his favorite....cut it up in dime size pieces. Eat a few yourself and say "MMM... This is good!!" then hold a few in your hand for him to take. He will probably imitate you!  Good luck! Hope he starts eating soon!

Answer 4

Children go through stages where they need the comfort of mommy more often. They may be clingy, cry alot, or request more bottles to return to the comfort they experienced as an infant.

The reason they go through these stages could be many. He could be not feeling well, teething or going through a growth spurt.

My advice is to give him what he needs which is more time cuddling with mommy. It may take a little more effort and time on your part, but it will help him to become a more independent child in the long run.

Answer 5

My daughter stoped eating her baby food at about 8 months. And ever since she has been eating what we eat... Try him on mashed potatoes and some vegatables. Just mash it up alittle and if he eats that try him on other things....  

Answer 6

My daughter did the same at that age. I think he wants something to eat by himself... I give her cooked veggies or fruits(cut into small pieces) and put in front of her. She eats them by herself, while she is eating I feed her gerber food with a spoon. She doesnt cry at all and she eats it...Try boiled egg(white only) pieces, some bread pieces.

At 11 months they can eat those things...

Answer 7

He may just be getting bored of the foods that you are giving him. My daughter loves to throw her hands in the air and try and fight me too. Especially when I am trying to give her food that is a different texture.

Try Yo-Baby. They are baby yogurts they come in a variety of flavor and my doc said they are good for them. My daughter loves them.

I would also try going with some sweeter foods till you can get past this stage. Oatmeal with Raisins, Rolled Oats with Apple, etc...

When I can't get a Turkey dinner in my daughter I try those things and she is normal good about eating them.

Good Luck

Answer 8

When my daughter was getting her molars around that age, she refused to eat and there was nothing I could do about it. I just had to wait it out.

If he is not teething try giving him the same food that you eat for dinner. (just baby sized portions) Sit down next to him and eat at the same time.  He might be ready to give up the baby food. If you don't feel comfortable giving him the same food you are eating, then buy some gerber graduate meals.