Baby's Eating Habits

Both my babies thinned out when they began weening too. It's totally normal so don't worry. Never force, cajol or argue about food with a kid at any age. You decide when and what but the kid always decides how much, if any. If he doesn't want to eat and he seems otherwise fine then please don't waste your energy worrying about it. A child who is offered food will never starve. If he's fussy like he's hungry but still won't eat consider things like a teething, sore throat, ear infection, or being overly tired. There have been times when my child would only eat after a dose of tylenol kicked in. Best of luck and I recommend the Super Baby Food diet which outlines which foods to introduce when and what constitutes a heathy diet. Also, recipes and how to make your own baby and toddler food.

Most babies this age get 4-5 8oz bottles a day. Mine both went from 5 down to 4 when they started sleeping thru the night. A 1 yr old is suppose to still get 24 oz of whole milk. If he's teething he may not want to suck on a bottle. Sometimes the suction hurts and sometimes it relieves the pain. You should try to encourgae him to drink more. He's formula is more important than the baby food at this point. If he doesn't seem interested in a bottle you may consider introducing the cup if you haven't already. Mine were both around 6mths when we started the cup. He may chew on it at first especially if he's teething but keep offering it. Usually you'd offer water or diluted juice in the cup but if he's not getting enough formula from the bottle, I'd try putting formula in the cup.

My son is four months old and recently went through a week of hardly eating. It was pretty disturbing to me, until I realized that he had a tooth coming in. As soon as his tooth was in, his appetite picked up again, and he's doing great. I suspect since your son is teething too, he'll be fine after his tooth comes in. Remember also, there's a lot going around this time of year, and when they are under the weather they don't eat as much. But as soon as they are feeling better, they'll pick up on it again.

He will not starve himself.
Teach him good eating habits NOW. When he isn't hungry don't force it. He will eat when he is hungry. Just make sure it is there IF and WHEN he gets hungry. That is all you can do.

Hi G.,

It's pretty normal for their appetite to go down when they're teething. It hurts to suck on the bottle, so they eat less. I had 2 boys in the 90% until they were 3 or so, some days they'll eat more, others less. Don't let it worry you.

Good luck!!

Children eat more when they are going through growth spurts and less after. You will find that all the way up until they are teens, they will have times that you think you will never keep them full and times when you wonder if they are eating enough to stay alive! This is all very normal.

My child is going to be 6 months on July 1st (also in the 95% and above in all areas, so I think we are at the same stage... My boy was still not sleeping thru the night. It is really taking everything I have these days not to lose it daily from being utterly exhausted. SO finally, it dawned on me that I have not upped his formula since his 2 month appointment. He was still drinking 5-6 ounces at a time. I looked at the chart that similac provides and it says that a 4-7 month old baby should be taking in 28-40 oz. in a day. I assume that 28 should be closer to 4 months...and mine wasn't even eating 23. OOPS! I guess that is why he'd cry after each bottle. I also added cereal at about 4 months and figured he was full. Not so much! At first he didn't want to eat cereal at all, so I started to mix it with some veggies (like sweet potatoes and peas). It got better and eventually I just stopped the cereal and feed him straight food. He seems to like it better and it's easier. I also read that the food should be extra at this stage. So feed him his milk/formula first. If he's not hungry to eat right after, wait an hour or two and use food as a snack. These are all things I have tried... not all successful for our family, but we tried it and moved on. It all depends on what your baby will go for. I have ended up (for now) feeding him 7 ounce bottles and feeding him solids at meal times. I give him as much o as little as he wants. Hope this helps you some. Good luck!