HELP... My baby has started to refuse her solids.

Hi ladies

Wonder if anyone can help.

My 7-month-old daughter has suddenly started going off her solids. She absolutely loved them when we introduced them at 4 months.

It's now a real battle getting any solid food down her and more often than not she's sick after. We haven't changed her diet at all. She still takes milk no problem, it's just like she's suddenly decided that she doesn't want solids. So i'm worrying that she's not getting enough food.

She's teething at the moment, so am wondering if that could be a factor? I have also just started back at work, but i don't think this is the reason as she started getting fussy before i went back.

My MIL has said that i should cut out one of her bottles as then she'll take more food. But, am unsure on this as she does still seem to really want her bottles and i'm worried that if i cut a bottle out she won't be getting enough to eat.

Any ideas on what may be going on here and what i can do as it's getting very frustrating.

Thanks girlies, opinions and advice much appreciated.

xxx

Hi,

I had issues getting food down my daughter too at about that age and she just refused to be spoon fed at all and the way I got round it was by introducing finger foods, soft things that she could manage and because she could do it herself she gradually ate more.  She is a real miss independent and hates you doing things for her she can do herself.  Now at age 1 she feeds herself most things with her hands (sheperds pie, casserole, pasta etc)  It is very messy but she eats so much better.  Don't worry that it is too early for that as pepole who use baby led weaning do this from day 1.  My hv said it can be common in girls as they often get a very independent streak early on!

I'm not sure about the being sick though, might be worth checking it out with your gp.  I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to cut the milk down so you know she is getting enough but as she starts to eat more then maybe cut it back a bit so she is more hungry for solids, I had the same dilemma, my daughter was bf and was a complete milkaholic which didn't help as she would have had boob over food anytime to begin with.

The teething can def be a factor, Freya was teething last week and barely touched any thing other than grapes for 4 days last week.  I read somewhere not to worry about what they eat day to day as they will have good and bad days but to look at it over a week instead.  I used to get very stressed about it but now she is older I do worry a bit less.

I don't know if any of that is of any use, you may have tried it all before. Someone else will probably have far better advice! Have you spoken to your hv at all or is she the useless type?!

Good luck

Hi Rach,

I had the exact same problem with you, infact I've had it on and off with Louis.  It probably has a lot to do with Abi teething but also could just be an independance thing.  I wouldn't cut back on her milk as suggested by mil, if she is still taking milk that is a good thing, but why not try some basic finger foods as Gem has suggested.  Banana, sticks of cheese, maybe some bread?  Have a look online at Annabel Karmel's suggestions, here is a link to her finger food section, may be worth a look?  If it is her teeth you could try making homemade lolly ices, I found them to be great with Louis, really helped soothe his gums.

http://www.annabelkarmel.com/age-range/babies-6-9-months/features/baby_finger_foods

As for her being sick I really wouldn't worry about it, Louis used to do the exact same thing or he would be sick before the food even got near his lips!

I know it's easier said than done but try not to panic, I still do when Louis doesn't eat because he is a little skinny thing.  The saying, 'She'll eat when she is hungry' is true.

Good luck, Danielle X

Hi Rach

what independant little madams we have, My LO Freya has started doing this too but only at her tea time and not if its yoghurt!! her favourite food in the whole world!! Do you give food then bottle or the other way round? we've always given food then botle but sometimes she gets so hungry she's too hungry to eat if that doesn't sound silly so giving her half a bottle the dinner has really helped. She is teething too and I think it puts her off.

As for being sick Freya does this too she has had a cold and been really mucasy (sp) so if she didn't want anything and gagged up it came!we just persevered at her own pace and today she ate a meal of lumpy pasta in veggy sauce for the first time ever! she how she gets on with finger food or if you don't do it already give her a spoon of her own so she 'thnks' she's feeding herself and sneak the spoonfuls in inbetween playing!

invest in a cheap sheet to put on the floor  to catch the inevitable mess and don't stress about it she'll pick up on it and turn into even more of a monster!! (well my little monster does anyway somedays Ive threatened to sell her to a zoo!! lol)

hope it all goes okay don't worry if she has her milk she'll be fine and like danielle says she'll eat when she's hungry!

love vicky and freya xxx

Thanks ladies

It makes me feel better knowing that it seems to be just a phase these little ones go through. We're thinking that we may just take the pressure off a bit and try a bit of baby-led weaning as we think we may be trying to go too fast for the poor girl. So have decided to give her the reins and see how we go.

xxx

Isaac has gone through this recently and I'm convinced it's because he's teething. 

Try cold food...it's more soothing on the gums.  Yoghurt and refridgerated fruit puree are a good cheer-me-up treat.  You could also try applying some teething gel 15 mins or so before dinner time.  It might help take the edge off.

If she continues to be sick or starts to lose weight, make a doctor's appointment,  otherwise try not to worry too much.

Hi Loopy, thanks for that. Though, have to say am not sure it was her teeth anymore. Since we've switched to baby-led weaning and let her feed herself bits and pieces like chicken, banana, avacodo, brocolli and carrots she is so much happier. Really tucks in and is loving her food. Also i have a strange child on my hands as she hates yoghurt, cries her eyes out if i try and give her one. But, saying that she loves the Petit Filous chocolate dessert yoghurts and so do i, the're are yummy!

xxx

Hi Rach,

My daughter goes through phases like this. At one point it was the spoon rubbing on her gums and within a few days out popped a tooth and after that she was fine, hen again she just randomly went off her food for a few weeks no idea why, but she was soon back to normal.

Now she wont eat all her food but tries to eat off our plates so we figured that she wants to feed herself. She will refuse to eat food from a spoon at times but will happily eat it all with her hands. 

Is it actual yoghurt you give her or fromage frais? Have you tried muller little stars? They seem to be my little girls favourite. I also give her frubes as she can have a go herself but also she can play with the wrapper after. The other alternaive would be to put it in a bowl and give her it with a spoon, she will probably eat it with her hands but its all good fun and you can get some nice embarassing pics for her 18th birthday lol xx