Baby Just Made 1, Is Picky Eater. Help!

Oh please DO NOT give him cow's milk. It does NOT do a body good- unless the body is that of a CALF. I did day care in my home for 7 years, taught pre-school for 9 and have 3 children of my own, the youngest 15 years old. I have to say that probably 85% of the babies I cared for had at least an intolerance to cow's milk if not out right alergies. PLEASE don't make him eat dairy. It has been shown that if a person detests a food, or conversly, can't get enough of it, he/she is likely alergic to it. All proteins are good for brain development- lean meats, chicken, (no peanuts til he's two), eggs, all are great brain foods.

Don't worry, your baby won't starve himself. I've gone through the same thing with my daughter. She would eat well, then eat what seemed like nothing for days at a time. I just made sure she got plenty of whole milk. She would eat cheddar cheese and fruits, but almost nothing else, and like you, I tried everything! Mac and Cheese was a big hit one day, then not the next. It's a phase, they all go through it at times. Just keep offering the foods that are good for him, and eventually, he'll start eating something. Try totally new things, like pickles! Good luck, and don't worry!
K.
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Hi there...

I think there comes a point when all kids become picky eaters. I fed my baby homemade baby foods and such from the begininng and she ate any and every meat, fruit , and vegetable..but around that same age she started turing her head at food in general. I was so worried she wasnt eating enough and so forth. The best is to consult your doctor and see what their advice is. As for the milk..just keep trying and see what happens. Try mixing it with formula and eventually take away the formula all together. As for the food. try going out and buying a bunch of different types of gerber graduates foods. From veggies, fruits, raviolies, sides and meals and just try it out. Does baby have teeth? I ask cause my daughter didnt get her first tooth till 15 months so there was a lot she couldnt eat right away but normally after a year old..go for the graduates..the different textures nad such is great. I love the little meals. My daighter is a sucker for the Mac and cheese with Peas and carrots. Just got to keep trying. Unfortunatly it is in our nature to worry that they arent eating enough, but if they are hungry they will eat. Good luck to you.

Try tuna and scrambled eggs. Protein, Protein, Protein.

My daughter was the the exact same way. Her pediatrician told me to give her 1-2 bottles of pediasure. It's like a protein shake and basically replaces a meal. She loves them because they come in vanilla, strawberry and chocolate! My daughter has always been on the petite side and these drinks seemed to give her a little bit of a boost. Hope that helped

Just keep trying. If this is something new, maybe he is sprouting a tooth or something and his mouth hurts. That would make him want only soft foods. Don't give up!! Offer him a variety. I gave my daughter formula until almost 2 years because she did not like milk either. She still refuses all kinds of milk, but eats lots of yogurt, liquid yogurt, cheese, so I guess that is better than nothing. He'll change his eating habits more than once, so just keep offering. My 5 year old still tells me that she "doesn't like" whatever I make for dinner, but she eats it and sometimes she actually LOVES it, so don't listen to him, just keep feeding him. You'll get through this!

My second son was the same way with milk. I ended up just buying the formula that's ment for I think it's 9 - 24 months. That way they are still getting the nutrition they need. If you don't want to do that try mixing a little, and I mean very little, milk in with the formula and gradually add more milk every day. Just be sure to make the formula like you normally would and add the milk to that. You don't want to substitute the milk for the water in the formula. You might be able to wean him that way. Just don't rush it.

The formula/milk transition can be done very slowly if you start mixing them. Add a little more milk every couple of days, and eventually he will get used to it. I did the same myself to switch from regular coke to diet once upone a time :-)

Do you know any local babysitters?