Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

DD has been a complete beast with eating her solids lately. This morning she ate exactly 3 bites of cereal mixed with her fruit, and 2 bites of pancake.

I don't want feeding to become a power struggle, so I am trying to not push the issue. My mom keeps saying, "No baby will willingly starve itself."

I look at my nephew who has been eating finger foods for 3 months (he's 11 months) and can't believe how much he puts away! No matter what I put in fromt of DD- she may try 1 bite, then sweep everything onto the floor.

I'm sure this is all normal, but HOW do you BTDT moms keep yourselves from worrying whether DC is "getting enough"? Am I destined to have a picky eater?

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

Is she teething? I used to get so frustrated when DS would have his picky days and than realized he was teething. I guess it is very uncomfortable for them to eat and drink their bottles for a few days when their teeth are breaking through the skin.

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

I suppose it could be. She is 9 months and not a tooth in her mouth yet.

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

DS does this too..he will eat like a champ one day and the next go on a hunger strike..only eat cheerios etc..I dont know if its teething or trying to assert his independance but hey..he's 22 pounds so its not like he's starving LOL..

PS how did the CIO go yesterday?

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

teeth could definitely play a role - adults don't eat as much when they have a toothache.

I agree with your mom. DS#2 (same age) is a good eater, but some days he pushes it away and I'm OK with that.

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

Noah is the same way, just posted about it on another thread too. Seems very common.

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

my DD is same age and does the EXACT same thing-i used to get crazed but have just let it go now. one day she eats great the next, forget about it! i think you're mom is right that no child is willing to starve his or herself!

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

DD likes everything but lately doesn't want to eat either. I wind up giving her bottles and some of whatever I am having - she loves mashed potatoes and that is th eone thing she will not refuse.

I don't know, maybe it's a stage --- the 9 month I don't want to eat what you feed me stage!

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

DS is almost 2 and still like this . On the days I feel like he barely eats I will give him Pediasure. It is so frustrating. He use to eat 3 meals a day but now I feel like he eats 1 or 2 meals and then grazes the rest of the day. Tonight DH was literally dancing and making a huge deal after every bite DS took of his dinner.

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

It's totally common. Babies go on "hunger strikes" every now and then. It's just the way it is. You have to make the conscious decision to not worry about and really stick to that. I made that decision early on and have always stuck to it. I have a great eater on my hands and I think it's because mealtime is never a battle. If she doesn't want to eat, she doesn't have to. But I don't give her another option, either. If she doesn't eat her dinner, she certainly isn't getting a piece of fruit or cookies. If she's hungry later, she can eat her dinner.
I promise you that she will eat when she is hungy. She really, really will. Even now, at almost 2 years old, I know that if Ava's not eating, something else is bothering her, and I don't make it an issue and in a couple of days, she's back to normal.

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

DD has never been a big eater - but some days she will eat for the most part what I offer her - other days she won't eat any solids at all and just clams up tight and shakes her head and screams when I try to feed her - I think it is pretty normal - maybe teething is keeping her from eating?

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

Thanks ladies- you have totally put me at ease. As always, I heart the LIF Parenting board!!!

Re: Suddenly OFF solids? 9 mos question.

DS did this at the same age. He cut a tooth very soon after. He is doing it again at 10 mos & when I looked in his mouth this morning two of his front top teeth are cutting through. My Ped said to give more milk/formula when this happens to make sure they are getting the right amount of calories and protien.