Ms. Mary Silva
Specializing in feeding and nutrition.
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 Ask Mary Silva
13-Month-Old Picky Eater | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Ms. Silva,
My 13-month-old son is a very picky eater. He eats very little solid food because he does not like to eat food if I cut it up for him. He will eat some baby cereal mixed with baby food one or two times per day but the only thing that is easy to feed him is organic yogurt. I nurse him three times a day; when I am away we try to give him bottles and cups of breast milk, but he refuses both. He is in the 75th percentile for height and the 25th percentile for weight, which have been pretty stable. When I remember, I give him tri-vi-sol drops. What is the minimum amount of food he should be eating? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.— Lisa | | | ANSWER |
October 25, 2001 | | | Dear Lisa,
Now that your baby is over twelve months old, his growth is naturally slowing down and he doesn't have to eat as much as he did during the first year of life. In order to get him to eat adequately and be independent, you might try giving him some soft food that he can bite off such as cheese, tender chicken, small meatballs, cooked vegetables, and small pasta. After he has eaten some of these foods you can feed him (or let him feed himself) the baby food mixed with baby cereal. Yogurt is a good source of protein and calcium. Using a brand that is made with whole milk will provide calories for growth while fortification with Vitamin D will help to keep his bones healthy. Withholding breastfeeding an hour before mealtime will promote a good appetite. The Toddler Feeding Guide will give you more detailed information on the amounts and types of foods he should be eating.— by Mary Silva, M.S., R.D. |
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