Infantreflux.org | Not eating well anymore...

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October 18, 2007 at 5:59 pm #44449

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I will start this off by saying that I hope it doesn’t come across as condescending or trivial to those people who I KNOW have serious issues with food…this is just a new thing for us and I’m trying NOT to be concerned.

I always felt very fortunate that Sarah was an excellent eater. She would eat anything we put in front of her and she had several favorites. Lately, she is starting to eat like a bird and refusing most food put in front of her. It’s really frustrating because it’s something we’re NOT used to! I didn’t think much of it (or worry about it) until we went to the doctor last week and they told me she’s lost a half pound. She’s still hefty and not in dangerous percentiles or anything…but she’s still losing. The doctor was even concerned about it. So now since then I’ve paid EVEN MORE attention to it and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Foods that she used to love she now refuses. I just don’t know what to do! I know that this could be a developmental thing…but enough to LOSE weight because of it? Has anyone else gone through this and had it pass? We will be going back to the doctor within a few weeks for Sarah’s 18 month shots and I’m anxious to have her weight checked then…just looking for some answers in the meantime.

Why won’t she eat anymore?

October 18, 2007 at 6:19 pm #44452

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I know my niece who is just a bit older than Sarah has been going through phases where she won’t eat much at all. She hasn’t gained any wt since her 12month appointment, she is “hefty” as well so her mom isn’t worried either. I think they do go through phases and hopefully hers will be short lived, but if she does continue to lose I would be concerned. Does she drink well? Can you give her pediasure to get some extra calories in her? Just a thought.

October 18, 2007 at 7:51 pm #44457

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Is she fussing at the sight of the food? Putting up a fight in the highchair? I’m not thinking of an aversion moreso as I am remembering at that age, Kaden REALLY expressing himself with food. It’s one thing they have control over and they know it. I found that if I didn’t make a big deal and didn’t act worried he did better. Other things that helped were making foods into fun shapes. Pampered chef has this thing called Cut N Seal that makes sandwhiches really fun:

http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=33&categoryCode=CE

You can put practically anything in there and let her help you push it down and it takes the crust off (creates a homemade “uncrustables” at home) and then praise her and let her try it. I found that kaden eats better if he can do things himself.

Other ideas are drinkable yogurts, yogurt tubes, fun shaped cheese – use cookie cutters! (assuming she can do dairy), apples can also be dipped in yogurt (kids love to dip)…let her go nuts with new things! The more fat in the food, the better! So I would try to find ways to find “fatty” foods and make them fun 🙂

October 18, 2007 at 8:47 pm #44459

Anonymous
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I like all of Jill’s ideas.

Claire went through (and still does, actually) phases like this all the time. We tried all the above listed ideas and eventually she started to eat more and more. They don’t need as much as you think at that age, but I do agree that her losing weight is a little weird.

How much milk is she drinking? I know it sounds wierd, but if she is drinking too much milk, she might be getting full on it and not hungry enough for her food. I can’t remember how much they should be drinking at that age.

And then again…. could it be her reflux bothering her? Not what you even want to entertain, I’m sure.

Also, Claire’s eating also changes drastically when she is sick or about to be sick. Has she had a cold lately? Are her ears ok? What about her bowels? Claire also suffers from constipation, and that can really affect her appetite sometimes as well.

October 18, 2007 at 8:54 pm #44461

Anonymous
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Going through the same thing here for the past few weeks. I thought it was her teething but lately I think it is just an age thing especially now that you say Sarah is refusing food as well. Taylor is just more interested in playing and trying to get into things that she shouldn’t be in. The only food she is willing to eat right now is yogurt which she use to hate and spit it all out. I’m just hoping it pass soon, so I can actually get to have 1 good eater in the family! It has been a sorry sight to see Alexis eat more and finish a meal before Taylor does seeing that Alexis is a horrible eater takes her over an 1 hour to eat a bowl of cereal in the mornings!

October 18, 2007 at 10:12 pm #44463

Anonymous
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I think its normal..

Shane does the same thing. A couple weeks he will be soo picky and only eat a couple of foods.. and hardly much of them. And then a day later, he will eat everything! Its strange, I am not sure why they do it.. but they do.

My neice who isnt refluxy does the same thing.. Her mom says to me” she is doing it again..refusing food”.. and then a week later “ohh she is eating soo well!” . Its funny

I do think too.. if they are not feeling 100% they dont eat as well.

I also have found that forcing a food makes it soo much worse! I just leave it out.. and let him walk by and grab it if he wants it…and try not to even look 😉

October 19, 2007 at 12:48 pm #44475

Anonymous
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A couple of things pop into my mind right away. When was the last time she was weighed before the 1/2 pound loss? If they are weighed at different times of the day you can also expect some fluctuation, like first thing in the morning versus after dinner when their bellies are full. I try to go around the same time of day for well visits so they are more accurate. Also, if she hadn’t had a bowel movement in a day or two when she was weighed the time she weighed a 1/2 pound more. I have seen this type of fluctuation with Brodie even when he is eating well which is why I bring these things to your attention. I would try not to worry, although I know it is hard. Another thing is, Brodie is so active in the summer, he looked a little thinner even though he was eating well, I expect him to put a little more meat on as we settle into fall and winter. Keep us posted.

October 19, 2007 at 8:34 pm #44493

Anonymous
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Alex is doing the same thing. She hasn’t gained any weight since her 12 month appointment, and she is in the fifth percentile, so she really can’t afford to be so picky at this stage. She’ll eat like a pig for a day or two and then eat hardly anything for a week. She’s also making us crazy because she’ll throw a fit to get out of her high chair and then beg for food five minutes later. But then she’ll barely eat the food that you give her.

October 22, 2007 at 5:52 am #44578

Anonymous
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Me too…well Alana anyway. She hasn’t gained since 12 months and sometimes now simply flat out refuses some of her previously favourite food. Its a new expereince for us to. Lucky we have hefty ones that can afford it in the short term. The only thing she eats consistently now is honey buzz porridge…so sometimes she has that a couple of times a day. Hopefully its just a stage!

October 22, 2007 at 7:47 pm #44605

Anonymous
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What a relief that I’m not alone!! Maybe it’s an age thing?? I am realizing that she fusses the most when I try to spoon feed her things. She really wants to do it on her own, but even then won’t always take a bite. I’m sorry, but I’m not ready to let her dig into spaghetti ON HER OWN yet. Some things I prefer to feed her…but maybe she’s telling me otherwise! It also varies from day to day. I never know if it will be a good day or a bad day until we sit down to eat. Sounds similar to some of your situations. I have ALWAYS heard that toddlers can survive on practically no food, but to see what she USED to eat compared to now, it’s startling! Ho hum…I guess I’ll just ride this new developmental rollercoaster (it’s always something!) and just hope the she doesn’t LOSE any more weight. Thank you all for the support and suggestions. I’ll try not to make a big deal out of it (in front of her anyways) and see what happens.
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Not eating well anymore…