Child refusing food

mjrichards21 · #1 08-10-2008, 01:28 PM

i know it's more than likely nothing
my daughter has just turned one and she's refusing eat food she will eat half her breakfast (weatabix) then cry because she doesnt want it she will have 4/5 mouthfuls of dinner and tea and just cry as she doesnt want it but then she crys because she is hungry but still wont eat, we have tried her on adults foods and she will eat a little bit then refuse
never had this problem before with her she would eat anything placed in front of her
am at my wits end now as she is constantly crying for food

Beth56 · #2 08-10-2008, 07:46 PM

My first thought is the food is disagreeing with her. Perhaps an allergy. Have you tried not giving her any products with wheat? She may have Celiac disease (wheat allergy)? Cow's milk, eggs, soy, can also be a cause of allergy in a young child.

She could also have an intestinal ailment. Are her bowel movements normal? I would talk to your child's doctor about this as soon as possible.

mjrichards21 · #3 08-10-2008, 08:05 PM

she has been eatingweatabix for about a month now and we had no problems and no signs of allergies
her bowel movements have gone messed up since the food was refused
she can go 24-48hrs with no bowel movements but then she can go twice a day
she had 10mouthfuls of her t today and 4 for her dinner and half a weatabix
so i ended up feeding her a packet of skips and giving her a formula bottle for bed as she was tired

Beth56 · #4 08-10-2008, 08:23 PM

Wheatabix and Skips I am not familiar with. I am in the USA and assume you are not.

From what I read on the Internet, Wheatabix is a cereal, and Skips is a cracker of sorts, with many flavors including prawn. Is this correct? If it is, these are probably both made with wheat which could be causing her stomach distress (allergy). And Skips Prawn flavor could very much cause problems (shellfish). You also are giving her formula, which could also be a cause.

Is she able to eat vegetables, chicken, fruit without any problems?

mjrichards21 · #5 08-10-2008, 08:33 PM

skips are a type of crisp weatabix is ceral
the skips have only been introduced today she has always been on baby food jars and a yoghurt after the meal
and cows milk was introuduced with her ceral so she has always been on her formula
we tried her on some mashed up peas and carrots with a bit of pork about 2-3days ago and she did the same a few mouthfuls and then refused
we did try to introduce fruit but she didnt like the texture and we have tried chicken dipper's, and she ate a few little portions of chicken then lost intrest she will eat half a ham barm cut up into really small pieces and we have to give her one at a time or she will stuff it all in her mouth and then choke

Beth56 · #6 08-10-2008, 08:48 PM

Babies this age can be very picky about what they eat. Introducing new foods must be slow and careful. Pieces should be cut up very small. Some babies don't can't chew well, or don't like the texture or taste.

I don't know very many babies who like ham or pork at this age. They usually prefer more subtle flavors like chicken. Cooked peas, carrots, green beans, rice, squash or yams, etc. Will she eat mashed banana?

Is she acting like she doesn't like the food or does it seem like it is making her have stomach cramps?

I have to leave for an hour, but will come back and read any responses.

mjrichards21 · #7 08-10-2008, 08:56 PM

im not really sure she's never turned her nose up before at her food
she likes hipp organic spaghetti carbonara she normally gobbles it down but now she wont even eat that before this happend she would eat practically anything placed in front of her
my husband say's it's nothing and it's just a phase, but he's not always around for meal times and it's just not like her one bit

Beth56 · #8 08-10-2008, 10:08 PM

Toddlers can become picky eaters. Here is a website that may be of help. Read the 17 tips for pleasing the picky eater. Perhaps you will find something here to help you with mealtimes.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T030800.asp

acuann · #9 08-10-2008, 11:53 PM

How long has she been doing this? If only for a month or two she could be teething and this causes pain while eating. How is her sleep? Any fussiness while sleeping? Teething can cause lots of disruptions and pain.

Has she been refusing foods ever since she started with solids?

Does she have a history of ear infections or illnesses?

I agree that celiac or another food intolerance is a definite possibility, especially with her constipation. It may take many months or years to develop food intolerances - it is often not an obvious thing.

Best wishes
DOM

mjrichards21 · #10 08-11-2008, 08:33 AM

were going into are 2nd week now with this, her teething has been really great it doesnt seem to bother her.
she has been on solids since 8/9 months old and took to it really well she really enjoys her food, she seems to be getting alot more tired with not eating as much but she sleeps through till around 7-7.30
she has history of breathing problems but at the moment her breathing is ok