Should I take a solids break?

NYBride0813 · December 2009

I know solids are not the main source of nutrition until 1 year, but I am starting to get frustrated that DS doesn't eat anything. I have tried purees, baby-led weaning, giving finger foods as we go on stroller walks, etc. I literally offer food all day long and the most I get is a nibble or two. He hates sitting in his chair so I tried feeding him in his car, but that doesn't work either. Even if we are sitting at the table, he doesn't want to sit with us.

He never opens his mouth when he sees food or care if I'm eating (exception - he wants my chocolate covered pretzels when I have those). If I "sneak" in the first bite and he likes it, he will sometimes have a couple of bites. He has now learned to stick his tounge out, and take the food off and throw it on the floor.

At the end of the day, after a zillion attempts, he has eaten a couple of bites of food. It hasn't increased/changed really in the past four months. I know he CAN eat because he has a slight interest and no problem eating snack foods - cheerios, crackers, etc.

He nurses every 2-3 hours during the day and all night long, and drinks water from a straw cup. I have also tried giving food before nursing, after nursing, in b/w, etc. and no real difference. Should I take a break and not offer at all? If so, for how long? Can anyone else relate? Is there a magic age that boob-obsessed babies show more interest? Maybe it will get better when I try to night wean him around 1 year?

tmp-214118062502913 · December 2009

I know you tried the car, that was the only thing that saved us. She has a walker car with a tray, and we let her go off by herself to eat. We used to try to eat together as a family, but now the schedule is I get home, nurse, feed her solids, let her drive around or whatever. She will motor all over the place nad hardly touch her food and then after a few minutes will begin investigating. Some will go on the floor, some will go in her mouth, some will end up becoming cold and congealed in the little cupholder part of the tray.

In the morning I nurse her and go to work and she goes back to sleep. When she wakes, DH puts her in her car and gives her foods he knows she will eat - Cherrios-like cereal and toast covered with banana or cream cheese made into little pieces. At lunch he gives her more real of food (fruit, vegetables, crackers topped with hummus, etc.) and she doesn't eat a ton, just a couple of bites. Dinner seems to be the only time she's really interested.

It wasn't until exactly 10 months where she really started chowing down. Before that it was a bite here and there. But the bites were a bit more once we let her go on her own. We do have one long room for the living/dining/kitchen and it's bamboo or tile so it's okay for her to "drive" and spill. It seems she needs her independence to investigate food. If you have that ability, see if it will help.

JssBB6 · December 2009

I can relate. DD really isn't that interested in solids at all. She tends to get really mad in her high chair. Usually she takes a couple bites and then doesn't want anymore. I've found some foods she likes such as cooked brocolli and puffs. Sometimes she will eat a meal but most of the time not. It seems like a spend all this time preparing things for her and just end up throwing it away. I worry because she is not the best with nursing either. She eats about 5 times a day and maybe once at night but lately it has been maybe 5 minutes of nursing (except if she's tired). So, I don't know...I just figure I'll keep trying.

suzymarie · December 2009

DS was like this. He wouldn't eat until he was darnw ell ready, and that was right around a year.

I went through stages of pushing it and stages of not worrying about it. I would keep offering it at every meal, but lower your expectations that he will actually eat it! (easier said than done, I know).

sunnyday016 · December 2009

I think we may be headed down that same road

ETA: She has very little interest in picking up finger foods. She'll tolerate some purees but mostly she just sits in her high chair making the milk sign.

goodheartedmommy · December 2009

Keep offering, but don't put them in his mouth. Allow him to. My middle child did not start eating until 10 months, but really didn't eat well until about a year. Pushing it will just cause problems. I really wouldn't allow them to start eating all around the house, either, unless that's a habit you're willing to continue. I personally think it's a really bad habit, especially for a child who doesn't NEED to be eating yet. Eating out of a snack cup in the stroller is fine, but walking around the house with food seems like a disaster to me. He'll eat when he's ready.

KimberJEB · December 2009

Jack wasn't really interested in food until 10.5 months - and even now ne has days when he doesn't want to eat.

I'd keep offering him stuff, and let him decide if he wants it (don't put it in his mouth). If he doesn't, it's fine. I was 100% BF until 12 months, and I'm fine:-)

Lotte134 · December 2009

goodheartedmommy:
Keep offering, but don't put them in his mouth. Allow him to. My middle child did not start eating until 10 months, but really didn't eat well until about a year. Pushing it will just cause problems. I really wouldn't allow them to start eating all around the house, either, unless that's a habit you're willing to continue. I personally think it's a really bad habit, especially for a child who doesn't NEED to be eating yet. Eating out of a snack cup in the stroller is fine, but walking around the house with food seems like a disaster to me. He'll eat when he's ready.

I totally agree with this. Just keep offering a big variety of safe, healthy options. Your LO will get there even if it's more slowly than you like.

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