Hating Solids

Hi Guys!

We are going on week three of solids and so far we've tried carrots, sweet potatoes, pears and bananas. Braxton is having a blast with them but Caleb is still fighting like it's anthrax or something. He finally stopped gagging at every bite but now he's shutting his gums and lips and refusing it. I'm worried that I should hae listened to those who said start with cereal at 4 months. I sort of feel like by now he would have "gotten it" and that he actually NEEDS to get it at this point. My questions are:

1. At what point do I need to just make him eat it (what age) if at all?
2. Really pointless, but did any of your babies put their thumb in their mouth after each bite but open up for more every time (Braxton)
TIA!
-Larami

 

QUOTE(serranoboys @ Jan 9 2008, 07:58 PM) [snapback]565292[/snapback]
1. At what point do I need to just make him eat it (what age) if at all?
2. Really pointless, but did any of your babies put their thumb in their mouth after each bite but open up for more every time (Braxton)


You are doing a great job! :hug99:

They don't NEED the solids at this age, it's just practice. Their main source of nutrition is still formula/breastmilk, so don't worry about how much they are getting or if they aren't too into it right now.

1. I don't believe there is a point when you make him eat it. Like I said above, it's all just for practice right now. If you force him to eat, it may cause bigger issues down the line.

2. Sorry, neither of mine did this one.

My kids didn't really get into solids until they were 11 months old, and I think alot of that had to do with the fact that I switched them from formula to milk, which is less filling and they were given less oz. during the day. Just take it slow with them and let them grasp the concept, they'll get it. :hug99:

 

Larami,

You'll get all sorts of opinions, but mine is that babies don't need solid food until a year old. My pediatrician agrees, so we're going slow with our girls. I don't think it's a big deal at all that your son is refusing at six months old. It's new to him and he's getting used to it. He'll stop fighting it soon, but even if it takes another month, that's fine. The majority of his nutrition should come from milk or formula anyway (until he's nine months or a year - depending on who you talk to). So solids are just for practice.

When my one daughter refused (for five weeks), I just tried a spoonful or two and then gave up. Then one day she opened up and devoured the applesauce and has been a fan ever since. Go figure! I suspect you'll have a day like that with your son too. Until then, don't sweat it.

Trish

 

I wouldn't force it. Like a pp said, the majority of their nutrition is from breastmilk/formula at this age. I would keep trying a few spoons and eventually he will figure it out. It takes some getting used too.

My DD always puts two fingers in her mouth after every bite of food. She is over 10 months old and still does. No clue why. She always opens her mouth for the next spoonful, so who knows?

Good luck.

 

PP are right! It's just practice at this stage. By 9 months, they need to start getting more of their nutrition from food. You have plenty of time, just keep trying! :hug99:

 

Don't force, ever. It's fine to hold the spoon there for a minute, to see if he will take a little taste and maybe open his mouth....try different foods, whatever. But don't try to pry his mouth open and get it in there -- that will backfire.

Like all the PP's said, you have plenty of time. But if you're really fretting about this, check out an author named Ellyn Satter -- she has a couple of excellent books on establishing good eating habits in kids. Child of Mine is the one I have....

(I bought it because I think I made some mistakes with my older DD, and wanted to do better with my little ones!)

Secondly, my little girl also sticks her thumb in her mouth after every bite -- and my little guy sticks a finger into his. I've read that babies learn to swallow by sucking on something, and the most familiar thing to suck on is their fingers -- so sticking their fingers in helps them learn to swallow their food. Totally normal. (I think I actually read this on Gerber's website!)

Of course, I think my DD is sticking her thumb in because I can't shovel the food in there fast enough, LOL. (My DS, on the other hand, is already the world's pickiest eater, just like my older DD....)

Seriously, don't fret about this!!

 

QUOTE
You'll get all sorts of opinions, but mine is that babies don't need solid food until a year old. My pediatrician agrees, so we're going slow with our girls. I don't think it's a big deal at all that your son is refusing at six months old. It's new to him and he's getting used to it. He'll stop fighting it soon, but even if it takes another month, that's fine. The majority of his nutrition should come from milk or formula anyway (until he's nine months or a year - depending on who you talk to). So solids are just for practice.


Totally agree! Try to just keep it low-key. If he doesn't want it, that's cool. He'll warm up in time, especially if there's no pressure. And I've heard of BF babies rejecting solids until 14 months ( ) and being perfectly fine! And chances are he'll catch on WAY before that, so you're fine.