I Cant Get My 18 Month Old to Eat!

Updated on December 11, 2006
S.A. asks from Baker, LA
5 answers

I have an 18 month old son who refuses to eat food. He started eating baby food at about 4 months old and done ok. Then he started to cry all the time and refusing the food. At 12 months we found out that he was lactose intolerant which answered why he was crying all the time and maybe didnt want his food because of stomach cramps, or what have you. Since about the age of 6 months I cant get him to eat. I have tried everything I can think of. Every once in a while he'll eat grits or oatmeal but thats only about 1 time a week, if we're lucky. His doctor recommended pediasure which is fine, but he is on WIC and they either give pediasure or his Lactaid milk. I know he is missing out on nutrition and proper weight gain. I've even tried vitamins to help his appetite and no luck. I am at a loss for words, what am I gonna do?

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M.N.

answers from Little Rock on

Check out Carnation instant breakfast. It is a powder supplement cheaper than Pediasure. I am not sure if it has lactose in it or not, but it helped my son and you could mix it with his Lactaid milk

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M.S.

answers from Fayetteville on

Hi my name's M.. I've had the same problems with my 5 year old. He wouldn't ever eat. I found that if I gave him foods that he could play with he always ate better. Speghetti, beans, sloppy joes, peas, macaroni, mini corndogs, chicken nuggets or anything else they can dunk have always been a hit in my house. If they focus on how they're having fun with the food they usually forget about the hunger strike. I hope this helps a little...good luck!!

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K.F.

answers from Fort Smith on

Here is a way to get around WIC.. My son is on WIC and they wanted him to have pediasure. If you son is on ARKIDS first then have the doctor write a prescription for pediasure and take it to a pharmacy to get it filled. If they cant fill it then they will tell you of a pharmacy who can. I don't know where you live, but if you live near Russellville, AR then Newton's Pharmacy by Kroger will fill it. Then you get both.
K.

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J.F.

answers from Little Rock on

Don't force him, if he's hungry he'll let you know, eating is an instinct, not a learned behavior (they come out of the womb and know how to nurse) and chances are, he's going to enter a growth spurt and you won't be able to stop him from eating. I actually asked my husband, who is an EMT, about that because our daughter did the same thing. He said as long as she's got fluids in her she'll be fine.

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T.A.

answers from Pine Bluff on

Well haven't had that problem but all i can tell you keep trying he'll come around to eating when he's ready and when he does you want be able to stop him. But on the single parent and living withe parents and have no job, i can relate to everything you have said. I live with my father i have two boys 3yrs old and 2yrs.old i have no job and no income other than the little child support i get. He's away in irqa and what i get is nearly enough money to take care of two growing boys and my baby boy is bigger than my oldest son. So i know exactly where you are coming from but all i tell you is keep faith in god and he will help you through everything and put everything in your hand that you need for your kids. I'm getting ready to go back to school to become an CNA and later become and LPN, but don't give up i'll keep you in my prayers keep in touch with me!!

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