Eight-month old avoids solid foods

marijaa333

My nearly eight-month old is not too interested in solids. Some days he'll have a decent amount of oatmeal (less than 1/4 cup) and maybe a few pieces of finger foods (sweet potato, fish, apple, etc.), but he has to be in the right mood. More often, he will refuse everything but breast milk.  I'm considering supplementing with formula to make sure he's getting enough iron, even though my supply is fine.  Do you have any similar experiences or advice? 

Knottie1442268460

Ours is formula fed but didn't really eat until 12 mos.

I was just reading about baby led weaning. Very interesting!

Bigboobsmcgee

I'd ask your Pedi about supplements but I'm sure your LO is fine. Right now food is just for practice anyways so try not to stress it. Also, an 8 month really only needs a few tablespoons of food to be full so don't expect him to take a lot at one sitting. Just keep offering foods, even little bites of what you are having and eventually he will come around.

I didn't really do oatmeal or baby foods with my second child. I started her on regular foods from the beginning.

marijaa333

Thank you!

niknak1208

My little man is 7 1/2 months. I don't stress too much about it if he doesn't want it. I still exclusively nurse. He gets lunch and dinner with solids. I skip breakfast because he usually naps through it. I don't do cereal either. I do prunes and fruit at lunch. Just because he seems to struggle with pooping since starting solids. I've only done applesauce so far. I buy organic prunes and the applesauce is what we canned last summer. Dinner I do veggies. He's had squash, sweet potato, carrot, parsnips. I made a crap ton of green beans and peas but he won't touch them.

There are definitely days when he seems not that into it tho. I just let him eat what he wants to and go off his cues.

I actually just bounced this off our pediatrician because I kept thinking hmm should I be doing breakfast? But he wasn't concerned at all.

I think baby led weaning is interesting too but I'm terrified he will choke so I haven't tried it

Knottie1442268460

What I read about baby led weaning made me feel the choking hazard increases if you don't do it. At about 6 mos their reflex makes them Spit out about 1/2 way in. At 12 mos that reflex moves further back in mouth. So I mostly gave pieces at 12 mos but that was baby's first chunks. Because they didn't learn about food before it could go too far back it seems like a greater choking risk for the 12 month old. I don't know. I might try it.

marijaa333

He will pick up finger foods but it takes forever, and so little makes it into his mouth, that I can't count on that as a source of nutrition for now (although I will keep offering those because he needs to learn how to chew and move food around his mouth).

mindaa

Can you mix in some breast milk with some mashes, to maybe get him more interested?

Our lo (7.5 months) doesnt really eat much finger food either. When we offer, he mostly plays with it, so we primarily spoon-feed. Was slow at first, all he wanted to do was play with the spoon. But he figured out the routine pretty after a couple weeks and now its easy, he loves to eat.
Seems like some babied are more into being fed and some are more into doing it themselves.

marijaa333

@mindaa I always do that but nothing...

You're right some seem more into feeing themselves and others don't mind being fed. I hunk we have the former category on our hands. Yesterday we gave him a pickle as a joke, and he kept sucking on it for 10-15 minutes (until we thought he'd probably ingested enough sodium for the week ).

supersarah77

Don't fret, things seem to change so frequently you could be singing a different tune in a month. I tend to trust they'll get what they need.

marijaa333

An update at 13 months... he ended up with low iron so he's now on an iron supplement; however, he also started to eat well around 12 months and is doing pretty well now. I hope he doesn't go back to his picky ways of yore...

mindaa

^^ same here - about a week after his first b-day it was like a switch flipped and one day he just decided he loves solids and feeding himself. 

_beckywhite_

It's completely normal for babies around eight months old to show varying levels of interest in solids. Many parents experience similar situations, where their little ones may prefer breast milk over solid foods at this stage. It's essential to keep offering a variety of textures and flavors, as this can help spark curiosity and encourage acceptance over time.

Regarding iron intake, it's wise to consider supplementation if you're concerned about your baby's nutrition. Formula can be a good source of iron, especially if your baby isn't consuming enough solids yet. You might also try incorporating iron-rich foods like pureed meats or fortified cereals into his diet when he's more receptive.

Remember that every child is different, and it's important to trust your instincts as a parent. Consulting with your pediatrican could provide tailored advice specific to your child's needs and growth patterns. You're doing a great job by being proactive about his nutrition!