Toddler feeding problem?

Question

Hey, my son is 17 months old and won't eat solids. He will only eat the second stage of baby foods, and he will only drink milk. He won't even drink juice or water. The only food he will eat besides baby food is teddy grahams, and I mean nothing else, not cheerios not crackers not even goldfish crackers. I don't know what to do, his ped isn't much help. If I sneak a piece of something into his mouth he makes himself puke. I know he can chew the food, because he eats the teddy grahams just fine. Plus he has plenty of teeth, lol he has molars for god's sakes. Please help, anybody this has been a real struggle for our family. Thanks!

Answer 1

Give him something you expect him to eat, and if he doesn't eat it then take it away. He won't starve himself. My niece went through a egg strike, and after 10 hours she went right to them when offered.

About the milk, water it down. You might have to start slow but once he gets used to watery milk it will get better. Of course offer him regular milk once a day too, mostly watered milk though.

Answer 2

ok...the other 2 posters would be right if he had been eating other things, then started to refuse them. This does not sound like a little tantrum...it sounds like a true medical issue. it sounds like he has some sensory issues or muscle control issues in his mouth and throat. your best bet since his doctor is no help is to go to the local WIC office or early intervention /birth to 3 program. they can tell you the best way to get him therapy to help him learn to deal with textures. I know this has to be hard. My 33 month old has a little buddy who is in speech with him who doesn't hardly eat...and never has. the speech therapist was so excited when she discovered that he would l**k the salt off a cracker, and l**k a dum-dum sucker. his mom has to take him to a feeding clinic "so they can tell me that I am doing everything wrong" about once a month or so.

Answer 3

I talked to a nutritionist at my daughter's toddler class about this same thing and she had some good advice.  First, only 2 cups of milk per day, otherwise the child won't be hungry for anything else since he's getting a lot of calories from the milk and he needs other nutrients.  Second, baby food is okay sometimes, but he needs exposure to lots of other textures while eating too.  

Here's how:

At each meal, give your child 2 (or 3) things to eat, like slices of avocado and some pieces of toast.  If he doesn't eat them or throws them on the floor, then take them away and explain that this is what we are eating today for his breakfast/lunch/snack/dinner.  Try again later (maybe a half hour or hour later) when he seems hungry and offer 2 different foods from before - maybe watermelon and cooked peas, but do not give him the teddy grahams.  If he always gets teddy grahams and knows he can always have them, he's got no reason to eat anything else.

If he complains about this (i.e. cries, throws a fit, etc.), you tell him matter-of-factly that "This is what we have to eat for lunch today.  I'm sorry, I don't have teddy grahams for you right now.  We can have some tomorrow."  He won't be happy, and may go on a feeding strike for a day, but the bottom line is that kids won't starve themselves.  Keep doing this.  He can have teddy grahams once a day, but not every meal.  

You're the parent, and this is one of those times when you have to tell the child how it's going to be.  It doesn't have to be huge drama or anything.  He may cry and throw tantrums at first, but he'll get the message when you are firm and calm about it.  Setting limits and sticking to your guns is tough, but it will pay off.  Good luck!