He wont eat!

[mumofl]

I'm hoping that someone might have some suggestions for me! I'm close to tearing my hair out!:hair:
My DS is 12 months old & for the past 3 days has decided that he can exist on 2 or 3 mouthfulls of food for breakfast lunch & dinner. I've tried spoon feeding him, finger food, me putting the finger food in bite size pieces into his mouth. But he will eat a little & then squirm & cry & scream until i let him out of his high chair.
During lunch today, he ate his usual 3 mouth fulls, then did his crying thing. So I let him out of his chair. In desparation to get him to eat, I followed him around the house, while he played, placing the remainder of his sandwich into his mouth as he finished each mouth full.
Does anyone have any suggestions to help me to get him to eat? I don't want to start the habit of following him around to get him to eat.. . . . . . . . Please!:hair:

[Aroha0509]

My DD1 did this for a few weeks, but just started eating properly again without me having to resort to anything. She was doing as a reaction to some pretty tough times so maybe its an emotional thing for him. Sorry I can't give you any tips on how to get rid of it, but if you're really concerned maybe take him to the doctor and see if they can suggest something.

[JabberJaw]

Is he getting sick with a sore throat? Ear infection or even teething? My bub is only 10 months but was doing the same thing, a few days later we found out she had an ear infection....other than that i am no help sorry.

[mumofl]

Thanks, we're off to the Dr's this afternoon for his immunisations & I was going to get him to check that DS is all ok.
Aroha0509, I had thought it might only be for a few days & was willing to wait it out, but it's day 3 of him doing this & I'm getting a little less patient!
We'll see what the Dr has to say, hopefully he's not coming down with anything.

[JimJamsMum]

Is he having milk or snacks between meals? If so, he may be filling up on those.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The more attention the behaviour receives the longer it is like to continue so I recommend only feeding him in his highchair. If he wants to get down then the meal is over.

If he is otherwise well within himself and not losing weight then I would not worry about it. It is a rare child who will starve themselves.

If it continues for longer than a couple of weeks or he gets sick go see your GP

PS: kids often eat less when it's hot so maybe it's just the weather

[Mrs Potts]

If your DS was previously a pretty good eater then I wouldn't worry too much. As long as you keep offering him foods that you know he likes, he will eat when he's ready. Just try to make sure he doesn't fill up on milk in the meantime.

I do agree with keeping an eye on his health though.

[mumofl]

He has always been a pretty good eater, which is why I was concerned in his drop in appetite. Since starting on solids he doesn't really drink that much milk any more, only 3 bottles of 120ml a day. He does eat a few snacks during the day, but I try not to give him a snack at least 1 hour before a meal.
I think I will do as you suggest JimJamsMum, once he's out of the highchair the meal is over.
Thanks for the help ladies!