if DS refuses what i cook him should i offer something else?

[vnmum]

my DS is 13 months old and now on chopped up family foods. we are following a healthy vegan style diet (gillian mckeith style) and i dont really want to give DS processed foods and loads of sugary stuff. he is still breastfed but a few weeks ago he had lost weight and HV said to increase his snacks. this is easier said than done as he has allergies and not a great appetite.

anyway, we are cooking the same meal for him as we eat as i dont want to be cooking anything seperately but sometimes he wont eat it. i think its mainly to do with texture as he will eat mushroom risotto but not normal rice etc.

when he refuses a meal should i make him something else so he eats or should i just offer him pudding and leave it at that.
i dont want him to go hungry but i also dont want a fussy eater who will only eat his favourite and will hold out until i make it for him.

sorry its abit long but any experienced weaners i could do with your advice. thanks

[DetentionGrrrl]

could you offer some chopped fruit if he refuses his meal?offering puddings as a back up might foster a sweet, fussy tooth later on (possibly)

Does he have favourite foods he WILL always eat?

[vnmum]

yes, he loves fish fingers and beans, not the most healthy alternative but its the only thing he will eat when ill etc. i generally only offer fruit or yoghurt as pudding anyway as i dont want him to get a sweet tooth like me, but i also dont want him to only eat fish fingers and beans and refuse anything else till he gets it.

i knoow it can take 10 times of offering for them to accept a new food but i dont want him to go hungry in the meantime as it usually means more night waki9ngs for milk

[DetentionGrrrl]

well, if he will eat fishfingers and beans (plenty of protein) fruit (vitamins) and yogurt (calcium) i'd be inclined to not worry TOO much.

[KathyMCMLXXII]

Are you worried about his weight, or is it just the health visitor? I get the impression they are very keen on children following the lines on the charts.

[Eulalia]

My ds (17 months) is a very picky eater - he eats most things but just not very much of it. I'd just offer loads of different things without giving yourself a lot of work obviously. My ds will eat a few shreddies soaked in milk, couple of slices on banana, tiny bits of toast wtih cream cheese or peanut butter, dried fruit like apricots or raisins. He likes beans too and and I give him baked ones with the sauce rinsed off. Loves peas as well. Lots of little snacks should be fine and plenty of breast milk and as long as he is happy then don't worry about the HV.

[vnmum]

im not too worried about his weight. hes happy, bright and has plenty of energy, sometimes too much. it was more so the fact that he refuses things and if im setting myself up for trouble by then getting him something else.

thanks everyone, i'll keep watching the thread for any more ideas.

i was meant to take ds to be weighed today but couldnt be bothered

[vnmum]

i meant to add that i couldnt be bothered getting him weighed as i would then have to listen to HV trying to get me to give him more food etc if he had not gained any weight.