protein, calcium and the picky toddler

[LynnolaS]

I have a 16-month old that still nurses a ton -- esp. right now as he's working on cutting his 4th molar. I'm concerned that he's not getting the protein and calcium he needs-- we thought he had a lot of food sensitivities early on and I'm just now getting brave enough to try stuff like cheese, wheat, egg whites and soy with him. But he's pretty much rejecting everything right now except for fruit and rice cakes. Any thoughts? I just tried to give him a bagel thinking he'd love it and he looked at it like it was the devil.

The other piece is I'm wanting to nurse less-- I realize it's comforting as he's teething but nursing a 16-month old every hour or more often isn't much fun for me and I'm getting resentful.

So I guess my main question is-- is he getting enough calcium and protein from my breastmilk until he decides to take solids that will fill that need?

Also other ideas for solids he might take that would help fill those needs? I was psyched when he started loving beans a few weeks back but he won't have anything to do with them now.

Thanks,
Lynn

[crunchy_mommy]

Have you tried hummus? It's got protein & calcium and most kids I know love it (DS will lick the hummus off a cracker or pita and just leave the bready stuff alone so maybe try it on a spoon if your DS would do the same ) Also baked sweet potatoes, he loves them...

[alegna]

At that age I really didn't worry as long as they were nursing plenty and the foods I offered were healthy. FWIW every hour while waking sounds really normal for that age.



-Angela

[crunchy_mommy]

Oh yes I should've added that my 16-mo does nurse every hour when we're home, though when we're out he will often go much longer... Sorry I have been rushing around the last hour or so, not sure either of my posts is very complete lol

[LynnolaS]

Thanks for the replies~ they were helpful and it's good to know we're within the range of normal with the nursing (albeit annoying at times!). I'll definitely try the hummus.

[T-man's Mama]

My 15 month old son does the same thing with foods -- loves them one day, then suddenly they are no longer appealing. Even on a good day, he doesn't eat a whole lot. Some foods that he has *consistently* eaten include:

--Hummus
--Guacamole (sometimes I just spoon it straight from the avocado and feed him)
--Scrambled eggs (in tiny pieces), sometimes he will eat some hard-boiled egg also
--Mashed potatoes
--Bits of chicken

[thehighernest]

Someone just introduced me to quinoa. I cooked it in the rice cooker, 2 parts water to one, just as I would with rice, easy. DS has been picky lately too (probably cutting his eye teeth). It's supposed to have a great amount of protein/amino acids. I mashed a banana with it because DS loves banana and he ate it right up!

[LynnolaS]

Thanks guys~ he wouldn't have anything to do with hummus or quinoa or cheese (which I hear so many toddlers love)... so frustrating. I guess I have to just keep trying new foods and know that he's still probably getting lots of nutrients from my breastmilk and eventually he'll have a wider range of food in his diet. He just rejected banana pancakes... crazy kid!

[mommy amber]

have you tried scrambled eggs?
I don't know what it is about them, but it is the one thing both of my kids would/will eat at this stage (cutting teeth/gaining independence through greater movement and nursing constantly as a result of those two things)
my 18mo is going through it right now...most days, he really only gets scrambled eggs in at breakfast and fresh fruit through the day...oh and smoothies are amazing at this stage!! both my kids gobble them down and you can put sooo many good things in them (greens, etc):
one link: http://www.wholeliving.com/photogall...al-breadcrumbs
put in a banana, some yogurt or tofu, some juice and whatever else you can dream up and you can't go wrong
good luck!