4 Month Doesn't like to Eat in the Morning

Focusing on your son's eating pattern will drive you crazy. The little tiger doesn't have a death wish, he just isn't hungry. Don't make an issue out of it.

We are so often taught to follow the clock, instead our own natural body rhythms when it comes to eating. Allow your child to follow his own rhythm. If you are giving him artificial milk, you may want to check that the brand works for him. Breast feed babies are hungry more often, as breast milk is so easily digested. The formulas are more difficult and so babies need more time between feedings to digest them.

As he gets older, be sure to provide him with lots of healthy food - no junky premade baby foods with the salt and preservatives! Get one of those happy baby food grinders that you can use with whatever foods that you have on hand. Then he will learn to eat your food.

Trust that your baby is in tune with his body. He will not go hungry without making a fuss at this age. And as he gets older, if you push the feeding issue, he may use it as a form of attention getting. So give it up now.

he's right, don't worry! Don't stress the eating thing, he'll eat when he's hungry! if you worry about food, you'll create problems where there aren't any. Babies only drive is to survive..he won't starve himself!!

Hi, M., I had two kids, they are all grown up now. Have you started your son on baby food? Is he only having formula? I started my kids around 4 months old. Adding cereal to their formula is a great start. When he is ready he will eat. Don't worry enjoy being a mom!

Hi M.,

I have a one year old(today is her B-day). She doesn't like to eat in the AM either. You did not say if you were Bottle feeding, or Breast feeding or if you were trying solids(kind of early for that). I would not worry if he is not hungry in the AM. If he is eating during the day and gaining weight, it should be fine.

I am a 40 year old first time mom. I understand the worries!!

D.

Hi M.

I too was a new mom at 30 with a boy who didn't do what all the books said he should. I stressed about everything. I finally stopped listening to all the published info and tapped into my "mommy intuition". I believe you are given it for a reason. You know what is right. I "think" that if your boy is growing and is cognatively on par, then you can relax. If this is something that you really feel is a problem, trust your instict and take him to for a well baby checkup.

You are his mom for a reason. Trust yourself.

K.

Mom of 12 year old boy. Married for 15 years.

I would say it's probably just the first in many changes of appetite. Just the time you think you have it figured out they change their eating habits. You'll soon find that you can't plan how much they're going to eat at any given time for a long period. If you feel uncomfortable with it, give your ped. a call. That's why they're there. To help you raise a healthy child. Congratulations! Have fun!

First question, does he sleep through the night? If not, he's being fed at intervals anyway, correct? With that being the case, he has chosen that morning is his light feeding time and no worries. The only problem I foresee is that it may take longer to get his schedule worked out for sleeping all night. Both my children and the grandson I raise began sleeping through the night between their 2nd and 3rd months. After they turned 4 months, I began giving them very, very runny infant cereal mix before bed time and before their milk. That kept them full and content through the night and creating a night time sleeping schedule took care of it self from that point on.

My oldest was the same way, except it was dinner he didn't want to eat. Listen to your husband. Don't worry. A child is not going to let themselves starve. The eating battle is one you won't win. As long as your baby is gaining weight and thriving, don't worry about it. You would be surprised how little these little people actually need.

My 3 1/2 month old is the same. Even if she sleeps for 10 hours (rare), she will still not be super hungry.

Neither my 3 year old and 7 month old sons want to eat right when they wake up. Especailly my 3 year old, he takes a while before he wants to eat. My 7 month old after about 30 mintues or so is ready for breakfast. As long as you son's doctor says your son is healthy, I wouldn't worry on what time he eats.

My son is 5 years old and never eats before an hour after he has been up. He is healthy and eats well. I just think that he needs to wake up before he can enjoy anything. He has been this way since he was born, so I know how frustrating it can be. Like your husband says, there is really nothing wrong with his eating habits. He will eat when he is hungry, and if he is awake he will enjoy it all the more. Good Luck.

My 10 month old still sometimes doesn't eat in the morning!!! I think she may take after her father that way. Your hubby is right - don't worry!

I have a 5 yr old boy since he was a baby he doesn't like to eat in the morning either. I don't force him, that just makes it worse. All I do is I keep asking him if he is hungery. When he was 4 months I gave him some of the baby crackers, teething biscuits when I did that he ended up having teeth break thru. so he might be teething that's why he is not hungery first thing in the morning.
Hope this helps.

M., an infant's basic instincts are to eat, deficate and cry. He will eat when he is hungry. One of the hardest things as mothers is to deal with the eating habits of our children. We want to make sure they are growing up strong and getting all the vitamins and minerals, but the best judge of that, even as an infant, is themselves. I have had eating issues with my children and the doctors have told me that they will eat when they are hungry and the more we fuss about it, the more likely we are setting them up for a eating disorder later in life. If you are really worried about it ask your pediatrician.

A little about me: I am 36 with 3 kids, 12, 8.5 and 4.5. I have beed married for 13 years.

My 2 year old daughter still is not a big morning eater, but neither am I! I used to worry also and battle and pleaded to get her to eat, but she is at a normal weight, she eats a very well balanced diet throughout the rest of the day and now breakfast however big or small is much more peaceful around our house. So check with your doctor to make sure your son is not under weight then give this one to your husband and don't worry.

It's hard sometimes not to worry, but try not to. Unless your little guy isn't gaining adequately, he's probably just fine. One thing about babies is that they will always let you know when they're hungry!! As long as he's still gaining, eats normally throughout the rest of the day and night, and has normal diapers, you can rest easy :)

My daughter Aila is the same way, I was concerned but they will eat when they are hungary.

Totally within normal limits. My oldest child typically didn't like to eat anything before 9am. I have another child that had to have something first thing on waking! I have four kids and no two were alike! =)

I wouldn't worry too much my daughter has never been much of a morning eater. When is the last time that she eats at night and what time does she finally eat again?

no need to worry! You might just need to let him just wake up a little but. I know i dont like to wake right up and eat! Just offer it a little bit later. Or you might just have a stuborn male on your hands already. Some people just dont bo breakfast and maybe he is one of them even though he is really young!

He will eat when he is hungry promise. He may be getting enough to eat during the night...some kids are like this and I know you worry, especially it being the first time. Anytime I had a question and needed to really feel better I asked my Pediatrician so call yours if you need that reassurance! Hang in there and congrats.

Hi, M.. I have a 6 month old boy and have the same situation. I was worried at first (probably also around month 4), but as my husband says, he's probably just not a big breakfast guy. I make him a bottle and he plays around, and it inevitably gets thrown out. As long as his other eating habits are good, you probably don't have much to worry about.

Hi M.. I don't have much new to say. Just, as so many other moms have said, my son who is now 17 months old isn't a big eater first thing in the morning. I also have worried and tried to get him to eat before he is ready. Now I just give him a good 15 to 20 minutes after he gets up in the morning and then he is ready. Good luck! Blessings - L.

My son was the same way in the mornings but don't worry to much as long as he eats a little in the morning and good in the afternoon and at night. Babys are just like us adults they eat until they are full, with time your son will eat alot more you'll see.