Wont eat his breakfast for me?

Question

My son who will be 1 on monday has gone completely off his breakfast he wont take any of his cereal anymore and sometimes but he rarely takes all of his bottle (7oz). Ive not been forcing him to take it and usually give him boiled egg around 11 or so or some toast and fruit instead. He ddoesn't even be crying for food in mornings ive just been giving him food to eat. I'm worried he not getting enough vitamins!!!

Does anyone else have or gone through the same problem??? Thanks.

Answer 1

The heading of your question is very telling.  Children do not eat 'for' their parents. They eat because they are hungry.

For whatever reason, your child isn't hungry when he wakes up.  That's NOT a problem.  Now, if he was 3 or 4 you could talk to him about the importance of eating something before school, so he'll be awake and alert and able to concentrate, but at this age he can't possibly understand such complex ideas.

So, if he doesn't want breakfast, don't push it.  When he IS hungry, offer him food. As long as he gets sufficient calories and nutrients over the day (or the week, or the month), it doesn't matter how they are divided up.  

Many toddlers only eat one really good meal a day, and just snack/pick the rest of the time.  And that's really ok.  It's far more important that your child learn to recognize his personal feelings of hunger, and only eat when he IS hungry, than to consume meals in some set pattern. Toddlers are growing more slowly than they did as infants, so need fewer calories.  

Answer 2

My daughter was the same way.  You are right not to push the issue, it's just not a time when he's hungry.  I tried incorporating table food my daughter liked into breakfast (e.g. rice pudding) and she still never ate any of it.  I just gave her a snack mid-morning and she was ready for lunch at noon.  She's 13 now and still not much of a breakfast eater and really not a morning person!  Your son is fine, he's getting everything he needs.

Answer 3

The most common worry for new parents is related to their child's eating habits.  He's fine, I'm sure.  

I have two boys.  Our oldest has always insisted on a big breakfast first thing after he wakes up, but he hardly eats dinner.  Our youngest won't eat first thing in the morning, but he's a wolf at the supper table.

If you're worried about his vitamin intake, talk to his doctor.  They can do a simple blood test to check his vitamin levels, or they may just recommend a supplement.

Just offer healthy foods, avoid sugary snacks, and he'll be good to go!

Answer 4

You may be encouraging him by feeding him when he's not really hungry.  If you have a schedule then try to stick to it.  He won't be hurt by feeling a little hungry for even a couple of hours.  If he won't eat take the food away and dispose of it or put it in the fridge.  At snack time offer him something but don't force it.  If he doesn't eat, again put it away.  Don't let him eat between scheduled meals (excert for scheduled snack time am and pm) or you will become an on demand cook which may be ok now but not when he is 16.  At lunch offer him food and let him go when he thinks he's done.  He may be getting ready to do a growth spurt and will suddenly be hungry all the time.  When you see that happening start looking for the tape measure because you will soon be buying clothes.

Also consider that he may not be a morning person and isn't ready to eat breakfast when you serve it.  Try to give a little leeway but if jobs and schools require a certain schedule there is nothing for it.

Remember he will eat when he is hungry.  If you think he has a medical issue take him to his doc.  Otherwise all you can do by worrying is make him stressed and its not worth it.

Answer 5

yep they go funny at this age.my son doent like sitting in his highchair to eat at all so after hes had what he wants he refuses to eat any more.i just make sure i dont  give in and get him out while hes screaming and hes slowly getting better though hes still not much intrested in food.have you tried giving him diffrent things for breakfast?maybe hes fed up of cereal.would he not eat egg and fruit instead for brekkie?its perfectly fine to do this.or toast and fruit or yougart?is it a little early for him to eat?have you tried letting him have a little play first?does he have his bottle the same time as his breakfast?if so that is probably why he has no intrest in both.try giving them sepratly.he will change his mind eventually i promice and as long as hes eating other times of the day and not losing weight or looking ill he will be fine.  :)

Answer 6

Good for you, forcing food on a child will lead to an eating disorder and you don't want that. Your son is not growing as much as he was when he was an infant, so it may seem like he is not eating the amount he used to, which is fine. Children go through growth spurts. My son was the same way, when he hit 2 he ate and ate and ate, then I was worried about him becoming obese. Then around 3, he started being a picker, he would be fussy and eat only what he wanted to eat which consisted of hot dogs and mac and cheese. Now he is 4 and is willing to try anything again. Just let him eat what he wants to eat.

The only important thing is that if he is not eating a lot, make sure what he is eating is healthy. Don't give cheese curls, etc..give healthy things! Your son is perfectly normal, good luck!