Almost 7 mts not liking solids?

[kaynay]

So unlike my first LO who jumped into solids at 7.5 mts we started a little late as he was STTN early , closer to 3-3.5 EASY for a long time and didnt show signs unlike him my second LO who I am writing about now isnt STTN yet, closer to 4-4.5 hr EASY since 5 mts he just wont eat unless he is hungry he isnt into solids that much he cries and gets frustrated ...we started when he turned 6mts it has been 3 weeks we have been trying a few tsps 2 a day...barely will he take 1 tbs once a day he finally is starting to like pears which he will tolerate before he starts reaching for the spoon and doesnt want anymore...he barely will take sweet potatoes and this week rice cereal forget it he doesnt want it in his mouth...applesauce he might take ...so 7 mts next week and not going for it should I be worried?

[anna*]

I would say no, don't worry. 7 months is still so young. You could try a BLW approach with him, just give him some soft spears of food and let him play/taste by himself?

[Idahomom]

no worries! it's all about the experience at this age, what mealtime is like, having food and texture in their mouths etc.  try to make it a happy and lighthearted affair, no pressure and if your LO isn't into it, stop the meal and try again tomorrow.

[kaynay]

thanks a lot...at which point should I worry 8 mts?
some of his bottles are huge I think he is ready for more than milk but I get it if its still to young I get it he is just so different than my first its almost like he is my first ha!

[Idahomom]

I think its about 9mo when their milk intake decreases and solids increases.  DS2 is 8.5mo and *just* quit trowing an absolute fit when he sits in the high chair.  He HATED mealtime, but now it's ok.  He is happy to eat, as long as he has some finger foods to eat himself while I feed him purees and cereals.  My boys are both very different as well and I just take it in stride and adjust as we go!  DS1 was a little bird, always had his mouth open, couldn't shovel it in fast enough!

[kaynay]

Thanks...sounds just like my pair!

[First Time Mom]

I just wanted to add that sometimes the change in them can happen practically overnight! My ds was slow to enjoy solids, so we took it slow. He ate only a small portion of what I offered (like, 2 tablespoons or so), made a face at any new food (even sweet fruit!), and immediately cut back his bfing even with the smallest amount of solids. I had to cut back to 1 meal, and start counting his wet diapers again! Within no time, he took to the 2nd meal again, and bfing this time did not suffer. Within the span of one week he's gone from eating about 2 tablespoons but being indifferent towards the food, to opening wide and flapping his arms around all excited for food! He's now eating what would probably be about the size of a jar of food!

[SThompson]

Kaynay - like before our LO are so alike.  My DD just turned 7 mos yesterday and still really has no interest in solids.  She is very interested in what I am putting into my mouth - drinks, food, whatever.  So, if it's appropriate, I let her try it.  She's never really interested after that first 'taste'.  If I take the time to puree/mash what I am eating (melon/banana) and give it to her on a baby spoon, she is 95% of the time not interested at all.  She will usually take one bite from an adult spoon, but then makes a face and won't open again for additional bites.
I have tried giving her spears of food (steamed apples, melon) - but she doesn't have the dexterity to really pick it up and get it into her mouth.  If she does manage, she usually bites off a bit but then gags and spits it out.

Does anyone have any tips for getting a baby who avoids the baby spoons, purees and has a very sensitive gag reflex to take a bigger interest in solids?
We really aren't pushing her at all, and I have seen progress (but very slow) since we started.  But I'm still worried that 8 & 9 months will be on us before we know it and she still won't be taking solids.

[anna*]

Does anyone have any tips for getting a baby who avoids the baby spoons, purees and has a very sensitive gag reflex to take a bigger interest in solids?
We really aren't pushing her at all, and I have seen progress (but very slow) since we started.  But I'm still worried that 8 & 9 months will be on us before we know it and she still won't be taking solids.

Just keep offering, and keep letting her play with finger foods too. The gag reflex is a good thing, it's how she prevents herself from choking. Some people skip purees altogether and just let baby learn to feed herself with finger foods.

[First Time Mom]

I agree, just keep offering. It's amazing how in a matter of no time at all they get good at picking up food themselves to feed themselves! At 7 mths we were cutting back to one meal of puree as ds was refusing bfing, and now a month later, he's eating one good sized meal, a second decent sized meal, and will pick up and self feed many foods.