My 19 month old will NOT eat

My 18 month old has always been a picky eater, never really liked much of anything but loves his milk. Here's a list of things he will eat; yogurt, graham crackers, bananas, strawberries, grapes, chicken noodle soup and french fries and that is seriously IT. And I'm lucky if I can get him to eat those. He will literally push my hand away when I try to feed him or if I put it in his mouth he'll spit it out. Some may say it's because teething but his never been any other way and I can't imagine he's been teething his entire life. I am a little worried about his development... he's not talking yet, not a word. He doesn't know where any of his body parts are and I feel like he doesn't understand most things I say to him, like sit down, or come here etc. Everyone always says "Oh you should tell his dr about that!" Well, I have and all he said was make him eat. Ok, well that doesn't actually work. I'm not going to force feed him even though I've been tempted to at times! He won't drink pediasure but I can get him to drink the pediasure juice, which has vitamins. Does he sound like he's behind? He is walking, babbling, playing with toys, watching cartoons but not talking or really understanding what we say. And has anyone else had the same problem and have any advice? His Dr's advice is not going to cut it at this point. Also, he is still on a bottle against his dr's wishes because he refuses the sippy cup and I don't want him missing out on the milk when he barely eats anything else. TIA... also, he's a baby brother, not sure if that makes a difference, I've heard second children are sometimes a little slower, not sure if there's any truth to that!

Take the milk away, he will eat. The milk is filling him up.

Take the bottle away and feed him what you think he should eat. Baby won't starve himself. He also does not need cow milk at all.

Quoting ~~My Pet Wussy~~:" Take the milk away, he will eat. The milk is filling him up."

I will try that, I will try anything at this point. I'm just so nervous that he still won't eat and then he'll be malnourished! I will give it a shot =/

I would take him to get checked out personally.

My son oldest is 22 months and says about 25 words right now, most of which are from the past 2 months. Before he was saying anything he could recognize various objects when we asked "Where is your ball? Where are your hands? ..."

I know that all kids develop differently but it sounds delayed to me and really doesn't hurt to see a specialist and get evaluated so you can find out what is going on and what you can do to help him along.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ~~My Pet Wussy~~:</b>" Take the milk away, he will eat. The milk is filling him up."</blockquote>




 

Only give liquids AFTER he eats and stop them 1-2 hrs before the next meal.

I think you have nothing to worry about. My 19 month old DD is very picky as well. I introduce new foods and try to get her to eat as healthy as possible. BUT, I will offer what I know she'll eat if she rejects the better stuff. I think for her it has a lot to do with textures. Like I can't get her to eat apples or pears but if I buy dehydrated ones she chows them down. She loves cracker textures and meat. She will drink smoothies so I get fruits and veggies in her that way. I'm still bfing so she gets plenty of nutrients that way.
As for the talking and playing. If he's not on par by age 2 that's when they start to worry. My DD is talking it varies from day to day. Some days' she says a lot and the other day's not so much.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Giovanni & Armani's Mama:</b>" I will try that, I will try anything at this point. I'm just so nervous that he still won't eat and then he'll be malnourished! I will give it a shot =/"</blockquote>




Don't worry about it, he will be fine. The milk doesn't have much in the way of nutrients anyway.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ~~My Pet Wussy~~:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Giovanni & Armani's Mama:</b>" I will try that, I will try ... [snip!] ... =/"</blockquote> Don't worry about it, he will be fine. The milk doesn't have much in the way of nutrients anyway."</blockquote>



 

Just empty calories and minimal protein and calcium