I really can empathise with you. My 1 year old daughter is only 16 pounds and refuses to eat. I have become so depressed that I cannot function. I try and put on a smiling face during meal times to avoid it being too stressful of a situation but when my baby is sleeping the tears start to flow. I feel like a real failure as a mum because my daughter is so small and has no appetite.
Took her to the paediatrician today and she has lost weight. He didn't provide any helpful comments except to keep trying with the food and give her snacks.
I add butter, olive oil to her food and only give her high calorie, nutritious foods like avocado, sweet potato, yoghurt, banana etc. But she keeps refusing except for the odd morsel (e.g one kidney bean). She has 450ml of formula a day. I'd be lucky if she has more than 3/4 teaspoons of solids on top of that.
I am lost and don't know what to do. I want to enjoy being a mum, but can't help but take this to heart. After all, she is my baby and I love her to bits. I just wish she'd eat.
Jan 03, 2011 Rating
same situaition by: happy yet unhappy being mom
Oh my, i didn't know that there's a situation like this exactly as mine. I'm a first time mom of a 15month old baby boy, (who was born under CS section) and eversince he's NOT eating food at all. When he was six months, i tried to introduce different baby foods but he COMPLETELY refused to eat. Just like you, i was so fed up, worried, anxious and depressed and put/mix some powdered food to his milk juz to make him eat a li'l bit. This carry on til he was 10months. And after that, he became smart and can differentiate the pure milk with mix one. I had no choice but to force him to eat then, by controlling his arms and legs and put the food into his mouth followed by water or milk. It's even still 'baby smooth food' cos he doesn't chew and just swallowed it with water. Until now that he's almost 15months, i'm stil doing the same feeding habit that i really really felt so bad about it. I juz have no choice but to do it cos i'm afraid he'll get sick and be an unhealthy child. His doctor advise us to check on genetics specialist cos my son has not been crawling and walking yet. But he's a happy, playful baby... Now i'm just hoping that everything will be fine in time, cos whatever happens, HE WILL ALWAYS BE MY BABY, MY CHILD. I guess, we just need to accept whatever God has given us. I always love my baby anyway. Goodluck to us! ;)
Dec 10, 2009 Rating
Response to Depressed and not enjoying being a mom by: Emmasmommy
I read your post and I don't know how old it is, but I really feel for you. I know that when my daughter was born I had some depression and wasn't sure how I felt about this motherhood status, but I can't imagine living with that for an entire year. My Emma was a good eater when we started with cereal and veggies, but now that she can self feed, she gets very fussy. I have to dip my finger in her food and force her to take a taste. Then she decides if she wants more. Have you tried to let her lick small amounts from your finger of different foods? She would be getting the taste for things like fruits and veggies and the calories as well. If you are already holding her to give her the bottle then you may be able to slip in a bit of squash, or peas (both are a little sweet) and it sounds as though she prefers sucking over biting and chewing if she will only take the bottles.
At any rate it sounds as though you have to struggle through everyday and truly hope that you find some relief and some reward in there soon.
May 28, 2009 Rating
I know how you feel, i have been there before by: Anonymous
I don't know when this was posted hopefully not too long ago. I am the mother of a 2.5 year old girl who was born 8 weeks premature. She weighed 2lbs. 12 oz. when she was born. I understand what you are going through. Have you talked with her pediatrician about this? I had similar issues with my daughter and it turned out she had acid reflux. If you want to talk more about this respond and we can dialogue more
