Almost 10 Month Old Has Become Really Picky About Eating

My daughter had Rotavirus shortly before she turned 1 (it was HORRIBLE) and I watched her waste away for over a week. When she was finally ready to eat again, it was the bottle she wanted first. The great thing about formula or breastmilk is that it is complete nutrition for a baby. I wouldn't worry a bit if that's all she wants. I would give solids a break -- or maybe try once a day and don't push AT ALL. She'll be back to her usual diet in her own time when her body is ready.

Good luck!

We went through this last year where my son got the rotovirus and spread it to us all. Oh was it a miserable week! Right through Thanksgiving also! My son was only 7 month at the time and had just started getting use to solids and he backed out for almost three month wouldn't start even trying until he was 10.5 months old. Just wasn't interested. I don't blame him much though I can tell you I don't really look forward to eating a turkey dinner after that week! I would just give him a little more time to get over the sickness.

hi,
I have two kids that are older now.. But I remember when they had the stomach flu they didn't get back into eating full boar until 3 weeks.. I asked their doctor and she said that it takes time to feel like eating everything again and as long as they were getting enough fluids and wet diapers so they are not dehiderated(sp) than that is a good sign. If you are worried call the nurses line at the doctors office they have given me tons of great advice.. also if need be they can decided if your daughter needs to come in for a weight check.. you know your child best so follow your gut if you think she needs to be seen.
lenc

We ar estruggling with this now with my 4 1/2 year old and 2 year old. They are extremely picky and it is frustrating to say the least. I talked about it with our pediatrician because I worried that they would go hungry! He told me that they will eat when they are hungry and it takes about 5 times of one food for them to begin to be introduced to it! He told me to just keep offering it and eventually they will take it. My son, last night, ate half of a home made burrito on a wheat tortilla. We had to coax him a little by telling him he had to take two big bites before he could have a quesadilla. He did it and actually ate about half the burrito! Next time i make burritos, I will offer it to him again and probably do the same thing. the idea is that , eventually, they will take what you give them. This is what we are trying. I hope it helps. I would talk to your pediatrician or one of the nurses. Just give them a call. I have found them to be a great resource for me! They are always willing to answer any questions you may have! Good luck!

-- mostly let her be - I promise she won't starve - and your inclination to offer her foods to feed herself is right on - either she is teething and something hurts- or she has a sore throat - but give her space - I promise this will resolve- one truly cannot force a child to consume. Check with your doctor about offering her something in the bottle like a protein powder -- they'll know.

Blessings,
J.

Hello M.,

Be encouraged. It is not as serious as serious as you think. :-)
I have experienced similar issues with my now three year old daughter. A little background information. My little angel is my third and last child. She was born with a congenital heart defect called "Tetrology of Fallot". Early on she had some open heart repairs to her heart. After her recovery it took a concerning amount of time for her to readjust to her past eating habits. So although your precious little one did not experience such a serious medical condition. After I acquired 1st, 2ndk, 3rd ..... opinions from every pediatric specialist I could access, the consensus was that after a child experiences illness (no matter how typical or serious) it is common and natural for the baby to need to be re-habituated to previous eating habits. The general explanation I got was that the baby needs time to regain senses of control and to put a time distance between the association of food and eating with feeling of sickness and discomfort. So my advice is experience based. Just apply an abundant amount of patience, try not to show your stress at eating time, don't try to force eating, make meal time a regular family event, you can also offer smaller and more frequent meals, have fun, offer a variety of calorie rich healthy foods with various textures that are easy to digest. Focus on quality not quantity in food consumption and find ways to calorie load (add pediassure or carnation's instant breakfast powder to bottle feeds, blend-liquefy good fats such as avocado into bottle feeds. Also be mindful that if there is any significant weight loss, signs of dehydration, decreased digestive regularity (diarrhea, constipation, low urine output) these are not normal and are cause for concern. In addition it is always a good idea to have access to a medical professional that you can trust to give advice anytime. That medical professional should not in any way be dismissive or devalue your concerns at any time. In sum it sounds like your baby girl is in a natural readjusting period that is common characteristic in the recovery process. Try to relax and readjust with her. Illness with a baby is always difficult for a mom because we are so empathetic, and lovingly connected and invested in our sweet little blessings. I gave some red flags that I was advised to look out for and if you are unsure or concerned or even simply curious call your trusted medical professional. That is my long drawn out advice. Hope it helps.

God Bless
T.-Kira's Mom

Hello, I'm not sure what you have been trying to feed her but have you tried more table food and things she can feed herself? Right around that age or a little bit younger my son did the same thing with all baby food I tried giving him. that's when I moved him to more table foods such as cheese canned green beans, peas, carrots, bannana's etc. He loved it! I think he was ready for things with more flavor and texture. Also, like others have said, he would refuse to eat alot if he had teeth coming in. Don't worry too much at 10 months milk/formula should still be the main part of her diet, table food and other things are more for practice than anything else. She'll eat when she's hungry.

My daughters would get like that when their teeth were coming through. It might just be too painful right now to eat a lot of things, perhaps...? I also know that I don't really relish eating when I am sick like I do the rest of the time. One final thought, remember that there are three things that we parents cannot physically make our children do: eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom. They learn this oh, so quickly, too! If you make this into a power struggle, you will either lose, or spend the next several years of your life playing the "just three more bites of noodles and one more bite of peas and then you can watch a movie" game. Statistics show that children typically balance their diet out on their own; it just happens more over the course of a week, rather than within a day. Take care, and God bless you and yours! :)

M.,

I agree with Lenc. It takes some time to get back into eating, especially if the problem is with the stomach. I've been told, by my doctor, that when they're not feeling well go to a BRAT diet. Bananas Rice Applesauce Toast. We've always added saltines and 7Up/Sprite as well.

Another food I remember being given when I was young was bread soaked in warm milk with a little sugar or honey to sweeten. Because your little one is under a year I'd ask the doc first about the milk and honey. Maybe trade the gerber oatmeal for the milk and leave it at that?

Good luck, it's no fun when the little one's are sick.
Melissa

I just went through something similar. I have a 10 mo old little girl who just had an ear infection and was sick. She hardly drank any formula or ate anything. I kept on our same schedule of offering food- the variety I always do, and the bottle and here and there she would eat. SHe eventually got back to normal.
I think babies know what they need or can tolerate and maybe your little one's stomach is still sensitive. If you can do more bottle then give her that, that is all they need anyway, the food is just extra, my pediatrician just confirmed that for me again. If she takes the bottle, just up that and she will get all her nutrients and keep offering her food here and there.
I just don't think they are ready to go back to normal if they are fighting us in the high chair. Just my experience:)