Feeding Problems with 16 Month Old

Well, it looks like you have got some big changes to make if you are going to accomodate the schools wishes. (Seriously though, this is one of many reasons I dont do preschools etc..all kids are just not the same..but that is another rant:) My 18 month old eats well, but drinking out of a regular cup is too much in my opinion. I would say for sure the formula has to stop. No more bottles! I agree with the chocolate milk idea..formula does tend to be sweeter than milk, so it might help. Also, warm it up, if that is how he is used to the formula. Another life saver for me was actually a straw. Maybe you could do some of those kids cups with a straw, like restaurants use. As for the food..well, again, that just takes practice. He should eat more if you are giving him less formula, but he does need to broaden his choices. That will only come if you stop giving him too much of his favorite things. It might be worth asking the pedi. about, given his lack of willingness to chew his food, but it is hard to say if that is just because he doesnt want to, or because he cant. I hope you find some solutions quickly..you must be feeling a bit frustrated. Good luck ~A.~

Is he offered small crunchable food like Cheerios or whole grain crackers? I think those foods would help him master the chewing thing better than the soft foods you listed in your post. They make Lunchables for toddlers that might be perfect for your son's lunches when he goes to school. Good luck!!!

Hi K.. I have a 16 month old daughter. My best advice would be to offer him what your family eats cut up. He may refuse or you may end up finding something new that he likes. Just a thought... is it possible he is drinking too much formula therefore not eating as much as he should be? Some of my daughter's fav soft food include bananas,avacados,and cheese. I also buy organic frozen vegetables such a peas,carrots and corn which she loves. For months she would only take juice from a cup..no milk. Although some moms may disagree with this here is what worked for us.One morning I put milk in a sippy cup with about 1tbs choc syrup. I let her watch me do this and then let her taste the choc syrup. She drank this every morning for about a week. Then one morning I gave her just milk no choc. and bc she was in the habit of drinking from the cup she drank the plain milk just fine. I still give her choc. milk every once in a while. Needless to say she will now drink milk from a cup. I'm sure you could try this with his formula. Good luck!

I think trying a different kind of sippy cup(like the ones with the straws or the ones with really soft mouth pieces) may work, but I don't agree with using chocolate milk as a substitute. Your son may not transition to regular milk after having chocolate and it could start a whole new battle, especially when he won't recieve it at it his daycare, but mostly, chocalate syrup is very high in sugar and really bad for your little one's teeth. If you do try it, I would do just a drop or two of the chocolate to reduce the sugar content as much as possible and ween it out asap. As for new foods, give him anything and everything you can and he will like some and dislike others, but it will broaden his food horizons. You could try the Gerber Graduates from the store, like diced veggies and turkey or the little raviolis they make. They have a lot of choices and are really soft for children just learning to eat solid foods. I hope this helps! Good Luck!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving your child the best nutrition possible - as you see fit. If that means formula, then so be it. I mean, think about it: if your son is getting the nutrition he needs and isn't filling up on processed, sugary, or trans-fat-loaded foods at school, then good for him, right? Now, socially speaking, if he's not *able* to eat "regular food" by 2.5, I can understand the problem. Otherwise, I'd say relax, he's still just a toddler!
If it's an emotional connection to the bottle that's concerning you, you might want to try different types of sippy cups, maybe seeing if your lad doesn't prefer a straw-style or a tip & suck style. (My firstborn wouldn't tip a cup enough to get his drink & did great with a straw. My second does fine with the 'tip & suck.')

This is foreign to me because I transitioned my child from bottle to cup around 1 year. Also, I only provided her table food and sippy cup. So, while she was kind of up and down eater (and still is on occasion) she pretty much ate whatever I provdided. Unless there is some type of health issue or other that the pedi has mentioned, then I would definetly start the transition now so that it is not a shock when your child starts school. Mix formula and whole milk in a sippy cup. Then reduce to 100% whole milk by the end of the week. Then serve a variety of foods often; they may not eat it that day or the next day. However, I have learned that they will surprise you! I have been serving my daughter (she is two now) fish for a while; and she finally ate it all the other day. And she asked for seconds. Up until that point she would eat everything on her plate but the fish. Also, I know once your child starts school as well; he will see the other kids eating and he will be more interested as well. Anyway, good luck!

Contact the preschool and get a list of the foods that they serve so that you can begin introducing them to him. At home cut up the foods smaller that you serve to him. Also cut down on the formula and give him water in the bottle so that he will stop taking it and begin the cup. Let him make a mess if that's what it takes that's why they make bibs for babies. Who is in charge of the food you or the baby? Stand your ground he will come around even if he misses a few meals he will come around. The other S.

Just to clarify..I did not use choc milk as a substitute. I only gave her 4oz once every morning for one week. I also used light syrup which only has 5g of sugar per tbs. Which is less than alot off juices out there. Although I agree this could back fire it got our daughter to drink milk from a sippy cup in a week. Good luck!

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the Moms on here dont seem to read your question? I see that you said you are using the formula for older babies. I would take that as meaning you probably use "next step" that is supposed to be used up to 24 months for those moms who dont want to just give milk and actually provide more vitamins. I use it too with my 17 month old. I just mix some in with his milk. It was very hard for him to transition to a sippy cup but he finally did. I use the soft tip kind that he can suck easily on. Took some time but he finally got it. As for the eating I wish you luck! My son is cutting one tooth after another and he just doesnt want to eat these days! Thats why I am thankful for the next step formula! I dont have to worry that he isnt getting everything he is supposed to! Good luck!

I agree with the other mom that was saying to put water in the bottle. If you would stick to that your son will not want the bottle of water, but rather will go for the sipper which has the formula or whole milk (which ever you decide).
Try and feed your son when you eat so he can watch and learn from you. Sometime watching other poeple eat the same foods as them makes them better eaters. Give him peas, green beans, cut up chicken, hamburger meat, rice, carrots, really anything that you would eat. I would take away all jars of food and let him see you do it. As long as he knows it is in the pantry or cabinet he will wait till he gets his way. Give him the formula after he eats so he is not already full. I have a 17mo boy and he only gets milk at naps and at night the rest of th eday is juice/water. Also you should be teaching your son to use utinsels. He may not get it right but at least the idea is in motion. Mine still holds his fork in one hand and grabs food with the other but it will be easier to start now rather than when he is older. Let everything you teach him come early. By waiting you simpy delay what your child may can do with no problem, but you would not know till you introduce it. I've already been putting mine on the potty each day. I only do it for a few mins just so that when I'm ready for him to be potty trained he won't resist sitting on it or be scared. I also have a 4 yr old daughter and I watch children during the week. I've got 2 kids that are both 2 1/2 that I'm trying to potty train. I've learned that introducing things to kids early makes for an easier time later. Good luck.