Feeding Issues with My One Year old.....any Suggestions?

I wouldn't worry so much about it. My daughter is almost 2 and I still feed her homemade baby food veggies because she still won't eat regular vegetables. If she is eating the other stuff than I would just keep giving it to her. Keep offering the finger foods but feed her what she will eat. As long as it isn't junk food, you should just be happy that she is eating. She'll eventually move into "big girl" food...all kids do things at differnt times.

Just keep trying! Although my one year old wouldn't eat certain finger foods a couple of weeks ago, I've tried them since, and now she loves them. Good luck!

Hi! Not to cause you worry, but is she starting to speak/babble yet? This 'could' be a motor issue. My son was the same and was directed to a speach therapist which helped alot! Keep in mind my son was a bit of an extreme case and is still seeing his therapist weekly to learn to pronunciate. Just an idea, i'm not a doctor... trust your instincts, nobody knows her like her parents do! :)

Your ped is right...it's one of many stages she is and will be going through. We have a 16 month old boy and just when you think they won't do something, they decide to do it. Each month I've noticed new phases that come and go. Throwing food on the floor (for at least four months) was my least favorite stage, but I knew it would pass. It's all part of them learning the new world around them. It's challenging but continue to provide her with finger food and before you know it she will pick one up and start eating. The worst thing you can do is force it but always have it there for her taking.

You are doing a great job! As moms we are always learning just like our children.

Hi Carrie,
The best advice is to just relax. She's eating so she's well nourished. These things work themselves out. When she's ready to take the next step she will. Stressing about it will only make matters worse. I have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. They are all as different as day and night and did different things at different ages.
Best wishes
E. B

I was in the same situation! My son wouldn't eat finger foods, and had just had the flu prior to his one year appointment. Since he had been sick (last March), he had dropped a couple pounds. His pediatrician was concerned that he was underweight, so did send us to feeding therapy. In retrospect, it wasn't necessary. In feeding therapy, they gave me a list of high calorie foods to give him (attempting to pack a caloric punch with every bite)...also explained to me how to make eating "fun", which it sounds like you're already doing. However, no matter how much fun or how sweet, he just wouldn't eat most finger foods. I think the best thing we did was set up "lunch dates" with other toddlers, so he could see them eating, then hopefully imitate them. It did improve things some....not drastically, but it was much better than before. I kept offering him finger foods as opposed to purees or milk in a sippy cup, and eventually, he would manage to eat a piece here and there. Over time, he realized that this food isn't so bad (and he had more teeth, which made chewing easier)...and now he eats really well (he's 22 months now). when we're around others his age, most of them still eat better than him, but we do have quite a list of food now that we can work with. I still introduce new things to him...and after awhile (and depending on his mood), he'll eventually eat them. The most important advice we were given: don't make them eat if they are not hungry, dont' get angry with them in the highchair, keep it positive. It's frustrating sometimes, but it does get easier.

Just continue offering it to her, do not give in right away and give her alternatives. Tell her this is her snack, meal or whatever and kind of don't react if she says no. She is still young and it will take time and more exposure for some kids it does take a while longer. I always had my kids at the table when we ate, that way they saw the rest of the family eating and that usually peeked their interest. Tell her sternly "do not throw your food", but don't get too mad as it becomes a game for them. Does she have a lot of teeth yet? If so try the diced soft pears, bananas diced, hard boiled eggs diced up, even letting her chew on pizza crust. This is the beginning of power struggles and her exerting her independence and just going with the flow is the best method.
Just don't give up! :)

My daughter went through many phases of eating. One minute it was she wanted pureed foods, then nothing to with those and just foods she could feed herself as she didn't want us to feed her then she wouldn't feed herself then just wanted pureed again, next was a picky stage where only 2-3 foods would be all she would eat now she is feeding herself finger foods and just has to try to eat anything we are putting in our mouths. I just try to relax and keep up with my daughters ever changing demands. Another thing I noticed is that some of her food preferences depended on teething as well. If the gums are swollen she may not want to chew on warm hard foods try cold soft textures. I am really figuring out with what they mean when it is said "Life is a Game!" Whoever wrote that must have kids! Well wishes to you and yours!

Sounds like your daughter and my daughter should get together. My daughter is 13 months old and has very similar behavior. In fact, my daughter wouldn't eat anything but milk until 9-10months. She now eats small pieces of crackers, cheerios, and other "grain products." My husband and I are amazed that she can tell the difference between a cracker and fruit long before she sees or tastes it. OUr doctor said the same thing yours did and we believe him. He also told us to lay off what she doesn't like for a week, then try it again. If she refuses, lay off for another week. He always tells us "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." I guess we're just being patient. My doctor also says it doesn't matter what she eats as long as she's getting the protein, calcium, calories, etc. I've found that forcing her doesn't help anything so Good Luck! A.

Hi Carrie,
I have a 2 and a half year old son who had issues with finger foods and just regular food, in general, at your daughter's age. He would actually vomit lots of times because he just could not get the hang of eating regular food. So we just stuck with baby food and would offer him Cheerios and stuff like that here and there but not force the issue. Then at some point, before 18 months, he did not want to be fed baby food anymore so I didn't know what to do. It never occured to me to go back to the regular food at that point. I went to a child nutrionist and she said to just give him whatever my husband and I were eating in very small pieces and as skeptical as I was about her advice, it worked. He was letting me know he was ready to eat regular food. So my advice to you is keep giving her the baby food and offer her the finger foods for snacks. Eventually it will all work out. It always does. Good luck.

she will be fine. truly, just put them on her tray with nothing else if she is hungery enough she eventually will eat them. Just make sure it's stuff that's easy to clean up. LOL I have 6 kids and a couple of mine were fussy like that. I then would put an old plastic table cloth or plastic under the high chair put the spoon their with them and let them just figure it out. Let me tell you spagettio's were quite an interesting thing, but they seem quite intrigued by these circles... Good luck

Hi Carrie! I tried to follow "guidelines" with my first child, so was feeding finger foods at a year. I know my hungry third child also ate finger foods at a year. The rest of my seven couldn't have cared less about food at that age and were all happy babies who have grown into healthy kids. Don't fret over this. Just give her what she likes and as time goes by she will try something. And then eventually try something else. And then....before very long....she'll be asking you if she should worry over her one year old who isn't eating finger food yet....

Carrie,
I have a beautiful 16 month old girl, when she was 12 months old she didn't want anything to do with solid foods either! In fact when she went in for her 12 month checkup she was under weight. I was so worried about her, but her doctor said to give her whatever she would eat and not to worry about it being solids. She continued to eat pureed foods for about another month or so, she then started eating solids on her own. I kept offering them to her and she eventually started eating them on her own. Your daughter just may not be quite ready for solids and as long as her weight is good and the doctor isn't concerned then I am sure whe will be fine and pick up solid foods on her own very soon! Good Luck!

As a 37 year old mother of a 3 year old daughter, I would suggest that you not worry about it. Give her what she wants to eat right now. In time, she will begin to want finger foods and other things. I was always a worry wart when my daugher was growing up too. I thought she would never crawl, then never walk, etc.... My daughter never ate baby food and I was so worried that she would starve. My pediatrician told me that children will NOT starve themselves. As it turns out, she just didn't ever like baby food. Children all develop and grow at different stages. Just because your child isn't doing what "other children" at their age are doing right now doesn't mean that they are developmentally delayed or behind. As I learned, by the age of 2 or so, most children all "catch up" to one another and these little issues that seemed so huge at the time are really silly. :)

If you have a fork she can use, it may be a novelty. It was with my little one, but she was 17 months when I tried this strategy. We have the Trebimbi flatware which has a good fork which is neither blunt nor dangerously sharp. Obviously it is no good for cheerios, but for cheese chunks, diced melon, diced deli meats etc. it is fine. Sometimes I put the food on the fork and she quite happily then transfers it to her mouth.

I agree with your pediatrician..don't sweat it. Just keep offering it. Also, try eating at least one meal a day with her. She needs to see you eating the same things she is eating. Role modeling is huge..my 2 year old eats salad (yes, spinach and all) because my husband and I eat one every night.
another sneaky trick is to leave bowls of finger foods lying around where she plays...she may pick at them (as long as you are not watching!!) while she is playing.
As long as she is working on her pincer in other ways, such as play, she is getting adequate nutrition!
Good luck!

I would not be concerned as long as your child is gaining weight and is getting enough nutrition. At 12 months, I wouldn't worry, but continue to introduce the foods the way you are doing. If over the next 6 months it is still a concern, I would look into a feeding clinic, or an OT for feeding through your insurance.

Hi Carrie! (I'm a 35 yr old mother of one 16 year and one (yes dont laugh) - 13 month old.)
I bought some great books that I used this last year - one that was called what to expect in the first year. This book in particular said to be sure to try not to force, sometimes forcing or even making a big deal when they refuse can draw out the process. I had similar issues with my son for about a month. i think it was texture issues. I just kept offering along with showing him tjhat I'd eat it and patients - eventually he took over.

Will she eat cheerios if you put them on a spoon and feed them to her? Can she pick up cheerios and place them in a bowl? Will she eat thicker foods such as small pieces of spagetti or chopped up bits of what you are eating if you feed her? Will she mouth a cracker or piece of toast? I would look at these things: Can she manage the solid food in her mouth if you feed it to her? That would tell you that her mouth skills are developing fine. Then, can she pick up small items even if she doesn't put them in her mouth? That would indicate whether her hand skills were developing properly. You can test this by having her place cheerios in a cup or something like that. Finally, does she bring other things to her mouth, such as her hands, toys, feet, etc. If all these things are fine then don't worry about it, just keep modeling how much you love to eat these yummy things and pretty soon she will be reaching for your food. Eat in front of her and enjoy your food, offer her some if she reaches for it. If there is an issue with any of the items above then you can contact your states early intervention program and ask how you would go about having an assessment of your daughter's skills arranged and explain your concerns. There is never any harm in checking things out!
Take care

Carrie,

At 12 months, I wouldn't be overly concerned but by 18 months, I'd be really concerned. This may just be a quirk or it may be a sign of sensory issues. If she doesn't start eating in the next couple of months, I'd definitely have her evaluated by an occupational therapies who specializes in sensory issues. On the other hand, if you feel that something is wrong (mommy instinct), have her evaluated now. It certainly won't hurt anything. My 4.5 year old has autism and I had too many people telling me to "just wait, he'll grow out of it" when I knew something is wrong. So if your gut feeling is that there is something wrong, do the paranoid mommy thing and get her evaluated. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a paranoid mommy. No one knows your child as well as you do. The evaluations and therapy they do at this age are all play based and it certainly won't hurt her in any way even if she would have outgrown it in time anyway.

In my experience, pediatricians know very, very little about feeding issues, sensory issues and even autism. They are a horrible source of information on this type of thing. If you really think there is an issue, you'd be better off getting an evaluation from Early Intervention or a developmental pediatrician. For whatever reason, a regular pediatrician is usually a really poor source of info on developmental issues.

T.

Hi, I have a 12 month old boy, who can be a fussy eater, too. He throws food on the floor, including his spoons and bowls. In December, he was so fussy, he just wouldn't eat and wanted to just nurse. I'm trying to have him weaned by March and wasn't very happy about it. Now, he won't eat his baby food and will only eat tofu dogs! From what I've read and talked about to all my girlfriends who are moms, I'm just going to let it go and let him let me know when he's hungry and when he's had enough. I don't want to make eating time a fight. And in time, he will eat more when he's ready.
So, that's my bit for you. Take it what it worth. Good luck

I agree with your doc. Do you know of anyone who does not eat? She will pick up your anxiety, probably loving the attention she is getting from you. (negative or positive)

Relax, do not worry. She will be fine. She is less likely to develop eating disorders if you do not feel anxious about her eating habits.

Keep up the good work! You are the adult. She will be fine. Try not to be a perfect mom. You are exactly the mother for your daughter, that is why God gave her to you!