1 year old refuses to eat/drink (except milk/water/OJ)

[tigeroll]

My 1 year old son has always been a terrible eater.  (And I'm a cook!)  He gets excited about new foods, but then after a few bites never wants to see them again.  He hates to be spoon fed and doesn't drink anything other than milk/water/OJ thru a straw (no smoothies, Pediasure, shakes, etc.) so we're left with the only option of finger foods.  It's become nearly impossible to feed him.  I nursed for 10-1/2 months (he rejected the bottle around 2 mos) and pumped for 1-1/2 months and now he's on whole cow's milk.  We went through a period (when he was about 7 mos old) when I was drinking a lot of milk and he got extremely gassy.  He has a little eczema on the back of his neck and other than having a little gas (which may even be normal) - and hating to eat - he is developing normally and seems fine. When he was younger, he probably had some negative oral experiences when we were trying to get him to take the bottle, had to give him medicine by mouth dropper when he was sick a few times, and gagged a little on some homemade food...

He's rejecting all of our food "standbys" so I'm really concerned.  He's barely eating now...few goldfish and mostly milk/water/OJ.  I'm stressed out and surely contributing to it.  I'm trying Lactaid in case it's in part lactose intolerance.  

He has one poop a day that is not at all formed but doesn't seem watery.  What does this sound like???  Anorexia?  Oral aversion?  Food allergy?  Silent GERD?  Something else?  What does one do???

Thank you!!!

[tigeroll]

Perfect - thank you so much!!!!

[Renee Radenberg]

Please accept my apologies, however, his height is between 50-25th percentile and his weight is on the 10th percentile. He is still within the Growth Chart and normal for his age. Still recommend what I stated to help him gain weight.

[tigeroll]

Thanks so much for your comments and suggestions!  I just wanted to check on your percentiles b/c my pediatrician and I calculate his weight at about 5th percentile (taken at about 1 year + 2 weeks).  Thanks again for all your help!

[Renee Radenberg]

His weight is between the 50-25th percentile and his height is just above the 25th percentile which indicates he is normal for his age. It is good he is feeding himself. Have you tried Carnation Instant Breakfast mix? It is not as ‘thick’ as the others when mixed in milk and has additional calories. If he does accept it, then give it to him in place of milk. Some tips for additional calories: If he likes pasta, then add meat or cream sauces to the pasta instead of plain tomato sauce or plain pasta. Add dry milk to oatmeal, mashed potatoes, gravies, creamed vegetables, and creamed soups (add additional meats to soups). Use all fat dairy products and no low fat foods so he gets the calories he needs. The most important thing is to relax. It becomes the battle of the wits between the child and the parents. Let him eat what he wants. Slowly introduce new foods, and if he does not want it, do not make a fuss over it. Let it go and enjoy the meal. Thank you for your question.