LO doesn't like food

Juliebird8307 · May 2014

We started cereal at 4 months, veggies at 5 months and fruits shortly after. DD still hates everything. It's such a chore to feed her. She clenches her mouth shut and sometimes cries. It takes 30 minutes and we can't even get her to eat a half a serving. Is anyone else's LO like this? Anyone have advise?

KCLeaSLP · May 2014

How old is your LO now? Honestly, if she's clenching shut and crying I would stop feeding for that session. At this age it's just for exploration. If you keep trying to feed her when she's upset or not enjoying it, it will just give her negative feelings towards meal time.
We had a similar problem around 6 months and just stopped for a couple weeks. When we came back to it, she couldn't get enough!

Burrberrymum · May 2014

I was gonna post this same thing, my DD is 7.5 months old and solids have been a struggle.. She doesn't like much and she most definitely doesn't eat an oz per meal.. Maybe not even half an oz.. She'll take one or 2 bites than just turn her head away and not want anymore. We've tried, rice cereal, oatmeal, bananas, carrots, squash, avocado, strawberries, peas, green beans, corn, toast, yogurt, and she's just not into any of it. She has the occasional day where she does eat a little more than others though and I show her how excited and happy I am that she was eating. Maybe it will get her excited to eat, who knows.

I feel down that my child just isn't eating solid meals but I'm not sure what else I can do but keep trying. The saying "food before one is just for fun" is what I've been trying to tell myself to keep my mind at ease.. In the mean time I'm just trying to get some bites in and let her play with the rest.

Juliebird8307 · May 2014

DD will be 8 months in a week. I would say we have one good meal every three days. I'm afraid that if we take a break at this age, she really won't want anything later on. We haven't tried any real food yet. I think we might try some pieces of fruit, toast etc to see if she likes that better. Everything until now has been cereal and fruits/veggies.

fairdinkum · May 2014

I haven't used these, but maybe they would allow your LO to get some nutrition from solids without having to use a spoon?

Juliebird8307 · May 2014

fairdinkum said:
I haven't used these, but maybe they would allow your LO to get some nutrition from solids without having to use a spoon?

We have those but I forgot about them. We'll give them a try.

ejb23 · May 2014

I would recommend BLW if you are doing purees without any luck. My LO loves feeding herself and playing with the food. She's now a champ eater as long as she does it herself.

KCLeaSLP · May 2014

Juliebird8307 said:

fairdinkum said:
I haven't used these, but maybe they would allow your LO to get some nutrition from solids without having to use a spoon?

We have those but I forgot about them. We'll give them a try.

Also, we put frozen fruit in these and LO loves them for her sore gums.

Salemkitty13 · May 2014

@Juliebird8307‌ Does she take a pacifier? Drink from a bottle or sippy? If you put some purée on the plate/tray, will she put her hand in it then put it in her mouth? What does she do with a plain spoon will she chew on it? I'm wondering if she doesn't like having the spoon in her mouth or if she has texture issues or if she just really likes her milk.

Meganbryn · May 2014

ejb23 said:
I would recommend BLW if you are doing purees without any luck. My LO loves feeding herself and playing with the food. She's now a champ eater as long as she does it herself.

This would be my advice as well, my LO loves feeding herself and exploring different food

hilalk · May 2014

My LO did this for a while. I know it can be really stressful. Try to give it a break for couple of days. Do not try to feed her. Just put an orange slice, a mango slice (with the peel) or banana so she can suck on it. That is my DD's favorite thing. Try not to stress about it, she can sense it.

KaramelSutra · May 2014

Baby led weaning here too. Lasagna and spaghetti are favorites. But he turns his nose up at purees.

Burrberrymum · May 2014

@KaramelSutra‌ I'm glad you posted those photos, I think my LO prefers BLW style of solids but I'm never sure what to give her or just how to give it to her. Spaghetti or lasagna never really crossed my mind! I'm gonna try some tomorrow !!

Must be fun washing spaghetti sauce out of the hair! I always joke about putting a shower cap on DD for her meals.

Juliebird8307 · May 2014

Salemkitty13 said:
@Juliebird8307‌ Does she take a pacifier? Drink from a bottle or sippy? If you put some purée on the plate/tray, will she put her hand in it then put it in her mouth? What does she do with a plain spoon will she chew on it? I'm wondering if she doesn't like having the spoon in her mouth or if she has texture issues or if she just really likes her milk.

She takes a pacifier. We're working on a straw cup with water, but she hasn't figured it out yet. Sometimes she puts her hands in her food, but I haven't noticed her eat it off her hands. She does chew on the spoon sometimes and has taken it from me and played/bit it.

lilqt3929 · May 2014

My LO can be picky too. We do purees and use the mesh feeder, some days she only wants the mesh feeder. It's like a toy to her that she can play with but also a bonus of something that tastes yummy in it when she wants it!

Juliebird8307 · May 2014

Thank you so much everyone for the advise. I think we are going to try BLW. My only concern is allergies. When you start with purées, they tell you to do the same food for three days to see how they react. Do you do the se thing with BLW?

Salemkitty13 · May 2014

Juliebird8307 said:

@Juliebird8307‌ Does she take a pacifier? Drink from a bottle or sippy? If you put some purée on the plate/tray, will she put her hand in it then put it in her mouth? What does she do with a plain spoon will she chew on it? I'm wondering if she doesn't like having the spoon in her mouth or if she has texture issues or if she just really likes her milk.
She takes a pacifier. We're working on a straw cup with water, but she hasn't figured it out yet. Sometimes she puts her hands in her food, but I haven't noticed her eat it off her hands. She does chew on the spoon sometimes and has taken it from me and played/bit it.

Then I agree with pp about BLW. It's probably the texture of the purée. DS doesn't eat that much solids either. He still gets most of his calories from breastmilk. Try not to stress. You are doing a great job, mama!

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