complete refusal!

[dredhead]

Hi, Im completely stumped now! My dd is just over 8 months and was having a pretty good innings with solids, taking and liking most things from a spoon as long as they were pretty lump free.  Over the last 2 weeks though, shes had a couple of colds and a bit of a tummy bug and since just has completly refused everything from a spoon
I ve tried using a rusk instead, or bits of fruit/veg - each started ok then she cottened on to what was going on and now gets really shouty and cross, turning her head away stubbonly EVERY time.  Nursery havent had any more luck than me and now Im cant get anything her way at all! Ive even tried putting a bowl of bread bits in front of her and sometimes she'll take a piece of two,  then bat the whole thing away!
Cookies, ice cream etc that we're having, she loves to suck on these- not something I want to promote though as an alternative!
Do I just abandon solids for a while as its just strengthening her resolve against them at the moment? Shes a nightmare sleeper, always has been and people have been telling us that potato in the evenings will really help to make her sleep more - so far thats a complete no go! shes waking as much now as she did with solids so who knows...!

Any ideas much appreciated!
Ruthx

[Sarahlolly]

Hi

We have a hunger strike baby/toddler here too.  She has a hunger strike every couple of months and is usually related to sickness or teething.  I try not to push it to much but offer food at normal times as usual.

She has just been sick and spent nearly two weeks not wanting any food at all, however we kept offering (in a relaxed way) and yesterday she ate breakfast, dinner and half of her tea!  I do a little happy dance but recognise that its just Ella's way when she's feeling under the weather or in pain.

I'm sure solids will become interesting for you lo soon enough but wanted to offer some sympathetic hugs (it took me a couple of times before I didn't stress too much about it!) and let you know that there's a tot over here that does the same thing too!

I'm sure others will have some more advice for you!

Sarah x

[carly-g]

Hi Ruth!  

I wouldn't try to force her to eat, that is just going to make her refuse more, and make the entire process more stressful.  Have you tried offering fruit/veg as a finger food?  She may enjoy having control.  I wouldn't completely abandon solids, just keep offering them in a non stressful way.  

As for solids and sleep, we found that DS actually slept worse for a while when he started on solids.  You may want to check out the sleep boards for solutions, too.  

carly

[*Nicola*]

Hiya

I agree with the others.  DD1 didn't really refuse much but when she was teething she would be happy with finger foods and/or a spoon of her own to chew on and suck food from.  The key for us was to keep it light hearted and fun.  If I find myself getting stressed at the dinner table I put the music on to distract me and keep me happy!  I genuinely think parents that stress about food in a big way have a real danger of passing that on to their kiddies.

DD2 is far more particular about food and only takes what she wants.  We do BLW so she picks up what she wants, giving her most of the control

((hugs)) x

[flutie]

Just eavesdropping as we are going through the exact same thing right now.  DS is 8 months next week and is becoming very fussy at solids time....used to eat like a champ!

[Freya'sMum]

Milk, milk, luverley milk that's what they need to help them grow and develop - until 1 the solid food is just for fun, so if they're under the weather, and they don't want it, that's ok, just give them babymilk and feel confident that it contains everything they need

Ax

[dredhead]

Ok , so Im going to try easing off on the solids for a while and just offer gooey things like shredded wheat or bread soaked in milk or yogurt. Shes still having her usual milk during the day so thats good. Im sitting her in her high chair just for fun sometimes too as maybe shell associate this with stress otherwise...?
No go with veggies as fingerfood - just batted away! anything non edible will go in the mouth but anything remotely good is stubbonly refused!

breathe!!! hopefully it wont last...?!

Im trying to stop her using me as a dummy at night too just now so maybe thatll help daytime eating if shes not snacking/sucking at night?
thanks for writing back everyone, ill keep you posted!

[dredhead]

ok, ive chilled out about food now - soaking shredded wheat into milk and letting her play/eat/suck on these have been working ok, plus bread in natural yogurt is going in and down some too!so messy but hey hey just chill pill!

keeping the milk going i guess is the main thing, glug glug!

[Fishmum]

My son has been on and off with solids, especially when he is teething... You could try giving her a slice of a squishy veggie like avacado, my ds had fun with those (boy are they a mess, though!). I think one of the best tips is to keep offering a variety of things and be patient but not pushy. Remember that eventually she'll want the kind of food she sees others eating, and as Freya'sMum said, milk is giving them everything they need right now from a nutritional standpoint. Though I understand the hope that if you could just get them eating 3 solid meals a day, they would miraculously sleep through the night! I think one or two of the rest of us have had that thought.