Developmental issue with eating solids?

StacyJYay

My LO is 9 months old essentially refuses to eat solids -- whether purees, finger foods, etc.  He'll eat maybe 5 tiny bites of solids and then refuses any more.  We've tried everything, from purees to baby-led weaning.  We've even tried giving him ice cream, thinking, "what kid would refuse ice cream!?"  For those five bites, LO has absolutely no trouble chewing, swallowing, keeping the food down, etc., so we don't feel it's an anatomical/physiological problem.  We've been trying to get him to eat solids since he was 6 months old. 

Any advice or similar experiences?  LO's pediatrician wasn't very helpful...  I'm getting worried that this is indicative of some sort of developmental issue.  Many thanks in advance. 

grbnik

Wow- can I reach out and hug you?  My DD is 9 months old and we have been trying to get her to eat solids from 6 months old as well (well, actually 4.5 months old- we tried cereal on and off).  My DD though also doesn't drink BM well either (she goes from 12-20 oz, sometimes lower, depending on the day). Does your DD have problems with milk as well, or just eating?  We are having our DD tested for allergies, then a scope for something called EoE.  It is an auto immune issue, when the white blood cells attack food allergens in the esophagus and cause inflammation (if I understand it correctly).  So, we want to see if that is the issue, or something else.  Our Ped hasn't been concerned either, until recently, when she was sick and lost almost 20 percentiles for weight.  We are going to our 2nd session of feeding therapy, but hoping that DD just was slow to the uptake and will start wanting to eat soon.  I have heard that it isn't that abnormal to have a child who won't eat; some start as late as 11 or 12 months.  My DD is a little more difficult due to the BM issue. 

Let me know if you find anything out or if your LO just starts to pick it up.  Good luck to you and your DS!

MaxandRuby

I would put a call into EI and get him evaluated. Maybe there is a sensory issue going on? Both of my kids were (1 still is) in EI for feeding issues.

StacyJYay

Thanks to you both for your replies!  My LO eats tons of breast milk (via bottle), so he's getting enough nutrition -- we just can't get him to eat solids.  I mean, what kid turns down ice cream?  He's scheduled for an EI Evaluation later this week.  I'm very anxious.     

realisticdreams

I think M started between 10-12 months.  It was kind of overnight, she wouldn't/couldn't do it forever and then one day, she could.  

Have you seen GI yet?  I would get an EI eval and see a GI also.

GL 

ali0608

StacyJYay:

Thanks to you both for your replies!  My LO eats tons of breast milk (via bottle), so he's getting enough nutrition -- we just can't get him to eat solids.  I mean, what kid turns down ice cream?  He's scheduled for an EI Evaluation later this week.  I'm very anxious.     

My kid turned down ice cream until this summer.  My DS would only eat foods that would melt in his mouth. (crackers, cookies, earlier on puffs, yogurt melts)  EI has done wonders.

Pretty*n*Pink

My daughter is 11 months old and has sensory issues. We had those exact same issues. If it is sensory think about the coldness of the ice cream and that could be why. What I had to do was like baby food in a nice way boot camp, where I picked one food and at all three meals , she eats when we eat, I would put it in her mouth and keep doing it. after five days it started to help. Peas and green beans the thicker textures she didn't like and couldn't stand. Hope that helps. Don't give up... Keep trying. My daughter is an eating champ, but on the same note we do have certain weeks days where certain textures/ flavors she won't do. Good luck.