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Submitted by: Baby Help Line

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Hi Michelle, I know it is worrying when a child doesn't do what we think is best for them. As Mom's we want our kids to thrive and it is concerning when we think they aren't getting enough food. Firstly, your daughter knows exactly what she needs - You! Being cuddled and nestled up with her Mom is the best thing for her right now. Don't worry about the amount of solid foods she is eating, getting into a battle with it all, it just makes you more stressed and her unhappy and can set up food issues. All babies and children go through stages of not eating much. Even adults! We sometimes will go for a few days not feeling like much to eat. We worry with our children because we are the ones providing all their needs while they are little. Just relax with it all and most of all enjoy her. She will get back to eating again! When my kids were tiny they sometimes would only eat the same food for days, and say no to everything else! Toddlers are learning to assert some power and want to have some control over their environment. Food is a classic area parents get into a power struggle with their babies. The best way to short cut that battle, is opt out of it! Choose fun over a battle any day! Here are some ideas of offering food in fun ways, but don't even ask her if she wants to eat it, just have it available within reach. 1: Make a smiley face out of fruit or vegetables and she can pick up pieces when she wants. 2: Have little pieces of fruit or cheese or cooked veges in a little container among the tea set, or inside something so she has to work to get it out. 3: Make a game out of it, feed teddy, feed Mommy feed Daddy, but Don't feed baby .... unless she asks for some too. 4: My kids were much more likely to eat with finger food than having a bowlful in front of them. My daughter never liked to be fed, she always wanted to do it herself! 5: Give her food in the bath! (don't worry it's no less hygienic than the tray on her high-chair!) bits of apple, carrot, cucumber etc. (Toast and Muslie don't work too well!) 6: wrap up little parcels of food in tinfoil or paper - a few grapes, some carrot a tiny sandwich. Let her discover them in the toy box. (just keep track of where you put them!) Hope this gives you some ideas, but most of all just relax and have fun with her, that is the best nourishment you can give her. She is getting plenty of calories with the milk and she will eat again I promise! You won't be nursing a 12 year old! Have Fun, Annie Desantis

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