8.5 month old won't eat home cooking - help!

[Little Bear's Mum]

I've posted this in the other food section, but thought I'd try here as well.

Until recently most of my son's food was home cooked pureed veges with just the odd canned/jarred food. Then as I got busy/Christmas I got lazy and started using jars. Now he won't touch home cooking. I'm not sure why. I've tried giving him finger foods at the same time, but to no avail. He closes his mouth and refused to eat. But when I offer the jarred stuff he'll gobble it up.

What should I do? Any suggestions welcome. I'm at a loss.

[Bea's Mum]

I'm by no means an expert, but in my limited experience of commercial baby food it tends to be a lot more bland tasting than home cooked food.  Might it be the case that he's not used to yummy, natural tasting food any more?

My suggestion would be to go back to the beginning, as if you were weaning him all over again.  Puree single fruits and veggies and mix them in with baby rice.  If he takes to them, then start combining tastes to they get more complex.

Good luck with it!

[evanskimberley]

Anne's advice is great, I've also suggested in the past taking a jar and adding some of you r home cooked stuff, small bits at first and gradually increase the amount of home cooked food in the dish until he's used to it again.