[Dolphin]

Ok, I was trying not to worry about this until I read the thread about how long a baby can be exclusively BF. DS has never really been interested in solids much, unless it's a potato chip (healthy kind only). I don't think he has a texture issue, as he will eat at least something in each texture category. But most days he will only eat the occasional soy chip, piece of apple or grape, or maybe a chunk of a green food bar. I would say that probably 90% of his nutrition is still BM. He's rather small framed, but seems healthy and happy. My biggest concern, in addition to worrying that he's getting enough to eat and that I have "done" this to him somehow, is that I'm just exhausted all the time. I want him to eat other foods, but I don't want him to wean until he's ready. But how do I encourage him to eat other foods if he just isn't interested? I offer him everything I am eating, and I buy fun toddler foods, but he just isn't having it. I also have tried serving food in every different way, in the highchair, on a booster seat, sitting on the kitchen floor - you name it! I need to slow down with the nursing for my own sanity. Most of my friends, even the more AP ones, say I should withhold BM and he'll get hungry enough, but this doesn't seem right to me. Any advice would be appreciated. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[callmemama]

Personally, I would listen to my child. I've heard of children that delayed solids and were later found to have food allergies. Maybe its a protective mechanism. Or maybe he just isn't ready? jmo - good luck!

 

[UrbanPlanter]

My DS was (is) a big nurser and never a big eater. I don't think he really started eating regular solid foods until way after 18 months. He would have a bite here and there, but his main source of nutrition for most of the first two years of his life was breastmilk. He still is picky, but is starting to eat greater quantities at 2 2/3 years old.<br><br>
I know he had the potential for allergies, given certain reactions he's had to food. I always chalked up his resistance to solids to a natural inclination to avoid something that his body wasn't ready for.

 

[Emilie]

Thank you for starting this thread- I am in the same boat and would love some answers!!!<br>
Pretty much other than bm- he eats- a bit of beans, french fries( I know I know) and pretzels!!!<br>
He is starting to eat some pasta here and there- but mainly it is bm. He is also small for his age- he has been in 18 month clothes since last christmas.<br><br>
I have found that sometimes I just have to let him be with some food in front of him- and walla- he will start to eat- sometimes after 30 minutes of playing around it. He also likes to feed us- the food we are trying to feed him.<br>
Keep experimenting- that is what I am going to do- and try to get serious about it. I do not eat regularly- and really do not want to pass this along- but am finding it much harder to do than expected!<br>
Emilie

 

[terrarose]

A lady in our Le Leche League group had a little girl who was almost exclusively BF for 2.5 years. She just wasn't interested in solids. 2 of my own children ate very little until around that age, too! I rememer my dd often going for a day without any solids at over 2. Other days it was maybe 2 Tbsp total. As long as your child is healthy I would trust him! The allergy connection mentioned in a post above is a very good point! Your ds has his reasons! I would try to take extra care of myself in order not to get run down. Maybe dh can help out more around the house, ect? Hang in there and good luck!

 

[Dolphin]

Thank you ladies...i appreciate the information. I have thought about the allergy connection, and I think that might be a possibility. is that something they will grow out of hopefully? I'll just keep trusting him to know what he needs. i'll just have to start drinking protein shakes or something so I can function!

 

[GeorgiaGalHeidi]

Hang in there mama, and do not fret! My DS is almost 16 months, and he eats barely ANY solids. We offered at 6 months, but he would not even try them till 8 months, and now, I am lucky to get 1 tablespoon in him. We nurse ALOT! He lost some weight at 9 months, but he is still a good healthy weight, and he was anemic, but he is not anemic anymore. Because his growth has been normal and his anemia is gone, no one is too concerned, so I am not either. I am going to just keep trying. Eventually, they will eat.

 

[MonicaS]

My DD ate about 90% BM at that age. She didn't really start eating any quantity of food (by "quantity" I mean one actual meal instead of a bite or 2) until around 18mos. One day she just decided to eat her food! Her appetite comes and goes, but that's to be expected of a toddler. She was 21lbs at a year, and she is now a 30lb+ chunkster at 27mos. I would say she still gets about 1/2 of her nutrition from BM.

 

[stacey0402]

Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone! I have a 17 mo dd who was almost exclusively bf'd until she decided to start eating a few weeks ago! I guess she was just ready <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"> I have met more than a few irl mommas in similar situautions. My dd is only *maybe* 18 lbs and until recently had no interest in any food. I did nothing special the day dd started eating, so just trust that your baby knows what he needs and will eat when he's ready. Good luck <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[Dolphin]

Oh you all are so wonderful! I'm so relieved that my ds isn't the only little one who doesn't eat much else! I guess i worry because he's rather petite and can still wear a lot of his 12 month clothes. But he's definitely getting taller, just not much heavier. I'm a little nervous about his 18 mo well-baby because he probably hasn't gained much weight since his 12 mo. But he seems really healthy to me. But i'm going to keep offering and trying not to freak out about the food issue. Thanks again mammas!!