My 9 Month Old Isn't Eating Enough..

My boy had a mini hunger strike when he got sick at around 12 months. It was very difficult to get him to eat for a while. He was happy and energetic otherwise. I would keep giving him his bottle whenever he wants it, maybe even throw in an extra one to make up for the calories he's missing. As long as he's wetting enough diapers and pooping occasionally and does not exhibit any physical signs of distress he should be fine. Also, if you find he does take any one food, keep giving him that even if it means bananas at every meal. :)

If he eats at daycare, but only takes bottle at home, I wonder if he just really wants more snuggle time with you. Try holding him in cradle position to spoon feed him. Worth a try!!!

I have two very skinny kids (daughter who is 13.5 mo is 16lb4oz and son who is 3.6 is 27lb). That is just their body type. Kids who don't have some sort of other medical problem going on won't starve themselves. You may want to read "My Child Won't Eat!" by Carlos Gonzalez. It goes into exactly this same topic! Here's a review: "Parents everywhere worry when their baby or toddler doesn’t seem to eat as much as they think he should! Carlos Gonzalez, a pediatrician and father, sets those fears to rest as he explores the reasons why a child refuses food, the pitfalls of growth charts, and the ways that growth and activity affect a child’s caloric needs. He discusses how eating problems start and how they can be avoided. My Child Won’t Eat! includes mothers’ stories of the anguish and torment they have gone through in trying to get their children to eat! Dr. Gonzalez reassures parents that children know how much they need to eat and explains why a parents’ only involvement should be providing healthful food choices. Forcing a child to eat more than what he needs can only lead to tears, tantrums, and eventually, obesity."

I would be very careful giving him cheese beore the age of one. with the allergy on the rise and milk is a biggy with infants and ruins the lining of their stomachs and with him beign sick it is probably ruined from that too. I would do the brat diet until he is eating again, does he have teeth coming in that hurts to eat or suck the bottle? does he have thrush or a mouth soar? or in his thrroat from all the cold and mucus and flem dripping down? What did the pedatrician say an ear infection? was he on antibiotics? that would hurt his tummy and make him not eat. good luck dont for ce the good and do easy stuff for a week oat least no milk for sure
J.

I do not claim to be an expert - & make most of my decisions from my gut & heart.

He may like the bottle because you are holding him - and/or it is comfort food/ and comfort time.

Maybe have him sit on your lap for a book or hold him and dance around the room for a little while before dinner time. There is no substitute for close touch -
Hope this helps.

My son was 30.75inches and 20.2lbs. when he was 9 months and he was a chunk. I don't think your son is really that far off his weight. My doctor always told me they will eat when they are hungry. They might not touch breakfast but they would inhale lunch.
My nephew is two years old 32inches and he only weighs 21.8lbs. I think every child is different. If your child is very active he may not gain weight as fast. Just keep offering the food and bottles. He will get back to a more normal food schedule. After being sick it might take a little bit more time.

Hi F., I'm here to give grandmotherly advice: don't worry, be happy! Your little one is not in a growing spurt right now. The more relaxed you are about his eating the more likely he will be interested. Is he eating finger food? My kids were very independent and loved eating on their own. My 11 month old granddaughter loves cherrios because she can pick them up herself. The doctor's tell you what the chart says. Each child grows at their own pace. My sister-in-law just recently said she was sorry she stressed so much about her first born's eating. He's a tall and thin very healthy 16 year old. My pediatrician said not to worry, when they are hungry they eat. Best of luck!

My 11 1/2 month old dd just went through that phase. She is also a tall skinny one. She is 20.5 inches and 19 lbs. At her 9 month check up she was 29 inches and 17 lbs. So, I was concerned about her weight too. Our doc recommended that we start her on table food. She wasn't that fond of baby food, so we just started giving her little bits of what we were eating. We don't have any food allergies in my family, so I wasn't especially careful about what I gave her. She loves table food. Mostly things she can feed herself. Even if your little guy doesn't have teeth, he can still eat table food. If you have any questions, let me know! I'm not an expert, but I did JUST go through that phase.

Have you tried Yo Baby Yogurt? If not, the new flavor/texture might entice him and your doctor will likely support you trying it at 9 months. My only other suggestion would be to get a X cut nipple and put some of his cereal in with his bottle. Good luck! It's so hard when they don't want to eat.

Babies don't starve themselves. He'll eat when he's hungry. I've never heard
of having to hit a certain weight by a certain time. You don't want
to encourage overeating just for the sake of getting calories in him. There
is nothing to worry about, food in the first year of life is purely supplemental
to breastmilk and/or bottles. All of his important nutrients and calories should
come from his milk anyway.

I know this is not ideal, but try something that's tastier. My daughter was sick and didn't have an appetite either, but she loves McDonald's (I know, it's terrible) so I let her have it just to get something in her. My doc said it was okay--just as long as she was eating something to get through that. Try those granola bars that have fruit in them--at least that has some nutrional value. You can always try fresh fruit too, depending on how many teeth your baby has. Mine had a lot at 9 months, so we would give her bananas, apples, oranges--all cut in small pieces, of course. Try sweet peas (mash with a fork) and let him feed himself. We actually found that sometimes, she was only refusing to let US feed her--she wanted to do it herself, and then she would happily eat away! Good luck!

I wouldn't be worried. Expecially if either you or your husband are tall and thin- it would obviously make sense for him to be too. I am not sure where your doctor got the 20 pound thing. There are growth charts but I have never heard of 20 pounds by 9 months rule. In fact my 2 year old son is only 22 pounds and very healthy.

The most important thing is that your son tracks growth- maintains the same percentile. It is expected that when babies learn to crawl or walk they will plateau or lose a little weight due to the burning of calories. Sounds like that, in addition to having a cold, has happened.

I would not worry about it as long as he is healthy, makes his developmental milestones, and does not exhibit any signs of illness.

My daughter is a VERY picky eater and always has been - she's 19 months old and currently just shy of 23 lbs and petite. Because of my concerns with her weight, my pediatrician recommended Pediasure. I give her 6 oz every night. Even though we continue to work on giving her food - the Pediasure helps put my mind at ease that she's getting the nutrients and vitamins she needs.

There's really no reason a 9-month-old should be eating baby food. Try offering VERY SMALL portions of whatever you eat, cut into appropriate size pieces, with no pressure. He'll eat when he's hungry. Try a little yogurt, too - flavored or plain with a little honey or juice mixed in for extra flavor. If you think about it, an adult's appetite isn't great during a cold or for a week or so afterward, so it's normal.

If eating continues to be of a concern you might look into getting a Nutrition Evaluation through First Steps. They might be able to provide you with good ways to introduce foods and encourage calorie intake.

F.,

Don't worry. He'll get his weight back from being sick, just be patient. It is typical that babies want only breastmilk or formula while they are sick, and it is better for them, since solids are harder to digest and divert their energy from eliminating the cold from their system. Sounds like you are doing the right thing. One tip, make sure he is not wasting any energy staying warm; in other words, keep a hat on him at all times (since so much heat is lost from your head). You wouldn't believe how much this helps with their weight and general health. This is a great tip from a wise older doctor. I did it for my son and it really helped. He constantly had a hat on his head until he was about 1 and he was a healthy, happy baby.

Trust your mothering instincts! Even over your doctor's advice sometimes. You know your child better than anyone.

Best wishes!

M.

My son was 18 lbs and 28.5" long at 9 months. Although your son is light, it is normal. What is most important is that he is meeting his milestones, developing normally, has good coloring, is alert, etc. Do not feed him peanut butter. It is not recommended for kids under 2 due to the allergenic nature of peanuts.

It is probably just a phase (especially since he's eating at daycare) and will pass with time. I wouldn't force it. I like the yogurt suggestion one other mom recommeded. It may be a refreshing change of pace for him -- and it is so good for him.

Hi F.-I have 4 children and used to have an in home day care for 7 years, so I do have much experience. Your baby may be picking up on your anxiety. The bottle when you are at home just maybe his way of re-connecting with you.

He will eat when he is hungry. Don't fret!! Just keep healthy food for him available. Do you sit and eat dinner together?? I found that is a great ritual to share your child's day with you. The less attention you bring to it the better he will do. I know you are especially concerned because this is your first. There is always a learning curve!! You will both do fine.

T.

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Like the other moms said, he's getting over being sick and don't worry because as long as he's eating and drinking, has wet and dirty diapers, and is still growing, then he's probably doing fine. I have a tall, skinny 2 year old boy, very active. He eats when he wants to. I got worried looking at the dr.'s charts for height and weight since he was a baby. A friend suggested looking at the WHO (World Health Organization) website's height & weight charts. I hate to say it, but the American population is generally overweight, and I found that the growth chart in my dr.'s office was "heavier" compared with the WHO chart (must convert from metric; scroll down for charts at bottom by gender/age: http://www.who.int/nutrition/media_page/en/
Also, take in to consideration parents' build. Genetics play a part. I'm almost 6', and my husband is 140 lbs. So my stringbean son makes sense =)

Give him some time. He is getting over his sickness. My daughter was the same way when she was sick. He will get back into his groove in due time. Don't worry so much about his weight. My daughter is 26 months and she is 20 lbs. I was told to she was too thin. I to was worried when I heard that. Months went by, she ate and ate and still weighed the same. I came to the conclusion that as long as she is eating, she is fine and that is just how her body is. Good luck!