What would a cavewoman mom do?
I think it is wound into a mother’s DNA to want to see her child eat. Whether neanderthal, dolphin or horse, a mother is wired to deliver food to her child. So what is a mother to do when her child consistently will not eat?
Adeline’s never been a beefy kid, never going over the 30th percentile for weight. But now, with each pediatrician appointment, she falls lower and lower on the scale. At her last appointment, she grew 4 inches, putting her in the 80th percentile for height, but didn’t gain a single pound, landing her in the 5th percentile for weight.
She is a little peanut of a baby who just isn’t into food. Unless it’s a berry of some sort or a noodle (“noonie,” as she says). Anything else is hit or miss. Last weekend, in the entire span of a day, she only ate 4 olives and a few bites of sweet potatoes. And this goes on for days.
We’ve tried cutting back on milk to see if that makes her eat more food. Now we’re loading her last sippy cup of the day with Pediasure in a last ditch attempt to put more calories in her. If she eats a cracker, I slather butter on it.
Not helping the situation is the fact that Adeline never stops moving. Until she finally gives in to sleep, the girl is moving, moving, moving.
While I don’t think anything is wrong with her, I can’t help but get frustrated and worry. I don’t understand why she won’t eat. I see other kids her age, covered in rolls and twice her girth, shoveling anything and everything into their mouths while I desperately try to coax Addy into just opening her mouth. I would blame myself, it’s all too easy to do as a newish mother, but when I think back to her first days of eating, I remember that even then, she was finicky.
I will keep waiting for the day when I consistently see my baby girl devour something besides blackberries. Until then, I will continue to abide by another habit that’s hardwired into moms…I will eat the eschewed scraps of food on my daughter’s plate, and watch my butt get a tiny bit bigger as hers gets increasingly smaller.
- When she threatens to pack up and move out for the first time, this will probably be 1 of the 27 reasons why
- Internet, you answered my prayers
I think as long as the doctor isn’t worried, I wouldn’t be.
Considering all the lard-ass toddlers one sees, I don’t think you have a problem. I’ve heard her energy could exhaust an Olympics-trained athlete/baby-sitter. She sounds wonderfully healthy.
Jack barely eats either. In fact I think for lunch today he had half of a fruit cup. I think it’s a toddler thing…have you tried ranch dip? ketchup? Has she had peanut butter–we do soy nut butter. Kids love dipping! Otherwise Jack and Addy can get together sometime and not eat:)
You guys are so great. Reassuring and funny at the same time! Uncle Bob, I have a co-worker who reads the blog just for your witty comments! Susie, you continue to always make me feel better about things. Sheryl – I am SO happy to hear this is a normal thing and Jack has none-eating moments, too.
Wouldn’t you know it, tonight, Addy ate really well.
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