7.5 mth old refusing solids

[saree's mom]

My friends is starting her dd on solids for the first time.
She is 7/5 mts old and is BF exclusively.
She has tried several times and her dd is simply refusing to eat. Even if she gets in in lo's mouth she spits it out. She has tried sweet potatoes and butternut squash. She was advised not to try fruits first so that lo doesnt reject the veggies and was also advised not to give baby cereal for its lack of nutritional value. (this was la leche's advice.)
Any suggestions to get her lo to eat?

[ryan's mum]

I would just hold off untill her LO is ready . The refusal is a sign that her LO is bot ready for solids yet , i wouldn't push the issue , just keep offering every so often . At this age breast milk is enough

[saree's mom]

Thanks, ill let her know.
But at this age shouldn't her dd start learning to eat?
And also im curious, whats ur take on cereal, is it really not that great? I dont give it to my dd anymore bec she enjoys her reg food, and it constipated her, but is it better to not even offer it?
Why is it considered a good first food?

[binxyboo]

I think cereal is considered a good first food mainly because it is iron fortified. Also as it is usually mixed with breastmilk or formula, it has a "familiar taste" for lo's. Who knows how bioavailable the iron in the cereal is though, that's why I tend to think of it as a "mixer food", that it needs to be mixed with something to have real nutritional value. Bananas and avacados are other traditional good first foods.

Lots of lo's are not that interested in solids at that age. If the baby is being breastfed, then there is no cause for concern. Here is a link that may work well for that family http://www.borstvoeding.com/voedselintroductie/vast_voedsel/rapley_guidelines.html

It's all about following the babies cues and pace, some babies bypass purees and mashed food altogether. Does she sit the child down with the family at mealtimes to see if she might be interested in having some of what the family is having? Riley ate veggies, fruits, little bits of whatever was on our plates and enjoyed being part of the festivities.

[ryan's mum]

We started with cereal here but next time i won't be , it was very constipating and we had to switch to oatmeal. I will start with the veggies first next time .We made all our own food for Ryan , he had severe reflux and a lot of the jarred food had spices in .

[saree's mom]

Thanks for the responses guys, i will forward them to her.
Its funny my lo is 2 weeks younger than hers and she lovessss food. My mom was fedding her teeny bits of an orange yest and she waas loving it, acid and all.