Help Getting Baby to Eat Solids!

Hey K.,
My 7.5 month old is still exclusively breastfeeding and doing fine. She is not interested in solids. She is growing like a weed and very healthy. So, while I sometimes would like her to eat solids, I think breast milk is more then sufficient for development, even in later months.

My son was 6 weeks preemie. He, too, showed no interest in solids. He finally gave in at about 8 months. Even then, it took months for him to become a big fan of solids. He exclusively breastfed until he gave in on the solids. I just offered him a little cereal every 3 days or so, but left it alone when he wasn't interested. Good luck!

He will thrive beautifully solely on breastmilk. Babies don't starve themselves. If he doesn't want anything but milk, there isn't much you can do and the fact that he sleeps 8 hours in a row exclusively breastfed is something in itself. Don't let the ped worry you. Wouldn't he really be considered a 4 month old anyway, being a premie? Enjoy nursing him as long as you can and don't stress about solids, when he wants it he'll let you know.

babies will eat solids when they're ready. I knew lots of kids who didn't eat any "real" food until they were 7-8 months old. One good friend who was working/pumping, actually was pumping 50 oz/day for her 9 month son (!) because he wasn't "into" food at that time. Like all kids, he eventually figured it out. I wouldn't worry about it.

If you look at what the classic indicators are that your baby is ready for solids they include the following:
*baby is interested in food
*baby starts to decrease the intervals between meals b/c he can't quite get enough calories from breastmilk to stay full

Sounds like you haven't hit either of these two yet. Everything I've read says to delay solids until AT LEAST 6 months, but there's no harm in delaying longer if your kid keeps growing and doesn't want them - esp. with a preemie baby. Btw, I don't blame the kid for hating cereal - have you tried the stuff? :)

K.,

Your baby needs breastmilk, not solids. So you are fine. And it sounds like he is sleeping well too. Doesn't sound like you have a problem!

A baby does not really benefit from solids (nutritionally) until they are around 15 months. Before then everything is passed through pretty much as it went in (unprocessed and not absorbed). I don't know why your doctor is suggesting solids, since that adds to the weaning process and discourages breastfeeding to some extent. Is it a weight issue? If so, make sure he is getting enough breastmilk. Drink a lot of water and make sure you are getting enough salt, and breast feed on demand as much as possible.

M.

My boy was exclusively breast fed for 6 months as well and he was a little early which caused some tummy trouble. Some days he eats a ton and others he bats the food away. You just have to keep trying.
The food I am most successful with is Oatmeal, Sweet potatoes, Carrots and pears. The apples upset his tummy and the rice and Bananas constipates him.
My doctor explained that feeding at this point is just to get him used to eating.
Congrats on getting him to sleep so well!
Oh and I mix the oatmeal with the jar food, pears, sweet potatoes and carrots

My trio were 8 weeks premature and we delayed starting them on solids until they reached their "adjusted" age of 6 months which was actually 8 months. We took it slow and it worked out just fine. You and you alone know your baby best so start him on solids when you think you're both ready to tackle it. Good luck!

I agree to wait. I BF my kids until shortly after 1 year, and didn't start solids until 7 or 8 months. My youngest just turned 6 months on Jan. 4th, and I may start her soon, but only because she is showing such an interest...grabbing my spoon or fork, trying to put ANYTHING that is on the table in her mouth...upset is we are at the table and she's in her exersaucer. Doctors seem to like to push the solids, but an exclusively BF baby really doesn't need them yet. My best to you!

My son didn't start solids until he was almost 8 months old and he did fine. I know people who have not started their children until they were almost a year. Don't sweat it. Maybe he just isn't ready yet. If he hates cereal, just try some other things. If you try the baby cereal yourself you might understand why he doesn't like it -- even if you mix it with breast milk. It is yucky! Both of my kids refused it as soon as they tried something else.

When my daughter started eating solids, we used to mix the rice cereal with breastmilk three times per day. That's all they can eat to start with, and it will take him a few weeks to get used to it. She would only take a bite or two, but after about 3 weeks, she was doing pretty well with it.

About a month later, I switched to oatmeal and started to put a thin layer of peas, carrots, bananas, applesauce or whatever else on top after she got used to the textures.

Don't fret, feeding should be fun!

My son wouldnt' touch solids until he was about 8months old. Then, he really didnt' like cereal or anything else but loved the meats!! I kept trying but didnt' force it. I'd just follow his lead and hang in there

When your baby starts grabbing at your food, then you know he's ready. Otherwise, don't worry about it. The body knows when it's ready. Follow your baby's cues, you won't have a doubt when he's interested! Then you won't be able not to feed him. He won't let you!
gretchen

K.,

My daughter only breastfed until she was inerested in other foods. I think she was about 7 months when she wanted to eat foods too. There is no need to force your baby to try new foods just yet, especially being a premie. He just needs more time. Don't go crazy when he is this young and healthy....cause you have plenty of that to come your way as he gets older. :) Just relax, nurse your baby, and go with his flow.
A.

Hi K.! My son only had breastmilk as well so I mixed my breastmilk into all solids I gave him. I started with rice cereal and made it with breastmilk. I made all of his food and pureed the fruits and veggies with breastmilk until he was used to eating solids. He ate it all up! Good luck! G.

Have you tried mixing the cereal with breast milk in a bottle. You just need to make the whole in the nipple a little larger. Use a little at a time.

I surely agree there is no big rush...ESPECIALLY with your baby being 7 weeks early! It's just for practice now anyway, so your baby will just likely progress faster later on when he does accept food. It's not necessary to push it now. When I was a baby 28 years ago, I was nursed exclusively through 10 months old because I didn't care to have solids, from what my mom says. I was perfectly fine and the doc then was fine with it. She said I barely had any baby food since I quickly progressed to table food at that age. Hope this helps!

My baby was only 2wks early and she wasn't interested until she turned 7months (just now!) She's also nursed and growing beautifully (and only sleeps 5hrs straight at night!). I'd say, let that sweet boy tell you when he's ready! :D Unfortunately, he'll have enough of being pushed into stuff that he won't be ready for the rest of his life.. Enjoy the ride and cover his face with kisses. Many blessings.

I think you're doing everything you can. If I were you I'd continue to offer solids. But I wouldn't push it. You said he was 7 weeks premature. SO, do the math... he is on track with a late four month, early five month old. They tell me you should start introducing solids between 4-6 months. He's right on track. Let him tell you when he's ready. I bet before long his belly will develop more and will be more tolerant to solids.
I found with my first child he hated cereal too. I tried mixing it with apple juice, but for some weird reason, he liked it better with applesauce. I think it made it a bit more creamy. Don't know... may not work, but it's worth a shot. I think as long as he's getting plenty of breast milk from you, I'd relax. If he's still hungry after you've nursed him, offer some cereal. He'll do it when he's ready. Just be sensitive to his signals.
Good Luck!!:)
Jaime

I breastfed both my girls, one until 19 mo. and the other until 21 mo. - wonderful experience! I didn't start them on solids until well past 6 mo. (with plenty of pressure to start at 4 mo. from family members and ped, but no pressure and complete support from lacation folks to wait) with no difficulties with 'learning' to eat solids. Trust me, they won't be breastfeeding their whole lives! If you're ready to do solids, then go for it now. Keep trying every few days. We started with mashed bananas, also try mashed avocados. We made our own 'baby' food by steaming veggies and using a food processor to puree. Put food into clean ice cube tray, and once frozen, place cubes into ziplocs until needed. SIMPLE! and cheap!!! We didn't do any other fruits besides bananas for months. Good luck.

HI K.,

I am glad you wrote and got such nice responses. I have the same problem, my son hates cereal, didn't care for bananas, sweet potatoes, peas etc. He gags, locks his lips and cries if I keep trying.
I gave it up a few wks and tried this week and its a no-go. He's on formula, 8 oz every 4 hrs and sleep 8:30 to 9 pm to 6 to 7:30am.
I am going to keep trying a spoon of something a day. I tried banana this morning and he still refused it.

My daughter LOVED to eat from the get-go. It's been a challenge since she never missed a bottle, woke up from naps etc and he doesn't much care, he drinks his milk happily and doesn't care for much else ;)
Im not going to worry about it, I am sure soon enough he'll awake to food.
Amy

The baby is fine. Your doctor is in a hurray. Keep food arround for your child to try but do not worry if he chooses not to eat it yet. Some kids eat early some eat late. I would just offer what you are eating to him. If he sees you eating and wants what you are eating that may work better. You are stressing yourself out and he knows it. Sometimes kids play with food more that eat it. The concern is that your son may not like textures and consistancy of food. My oldest always grabbed my food. My youngest ate special food with Mommy. My youngest was a vegaterian until the doctors got mad. Now he is sick with digestion problems. Great now we have behavior problems. If he were still a vegg we would be fine. Your son will be fine once you relax and enjoy eating together.

When our second daughter turned 6 months we couldn't wait to start her on food because she had such an interest in what we were eating. I never imagined she would not eat ANYTHING. Finally, after two months of attempts with cereal, baby food and mashed up stuff, we gave her a little piece of food and from then on she couldn't get enough. I guess it was a texture thing...she didn't lilke the mashed up stuff but went for the solids. Eventually, I could get her to eat baby food too. Now she is 2 and the best eater ever. Good luck - I know how frustrating it can be!

Hi, K.
I totally aggree with the first response. Your baby will let you know when he is ready to eat. Breast is best. He is getting all he needs through you. I'm not sure why the doc is so concerned, but I'd definately relax. It sounds like he is perfectly happy and healthy. With my last son, # 6, a few family members were encouraging me to feed him early, I suppose because he does everything early, but I stuck to my guns and didn't start him out til 6 mos. Their systems aren't ready for solids yet. Maybe, your son's system isn't either since he was premature. Hope this encourages you.

My oldest was 9mo when we started solids almost 10 mo before she was doing well with it. My younger daughter was 6mo and off baby food by 10mo, eating table food. All kids are different, if he is growing and doing well, I would put it off for a week or 2 and try again. If still not liking it, put it off agian. All will be fine! Your Doctor needs to chill, especially if there are no problems, like weight with your son

I agree with Karen - your baby will let you know when he's ready to try solids. Don't force it on him...You can of course keep slowly introducing it (maybe one teaspoon a day of something) but honestly, don't live and die by what your doctor wants in terms of food. Medicine and vaccines, ok but food, trust your instinct. I didn't start my son on solids till he was around 7 months (b/c thats when he was ready) and he didn't eat real food until about 13/14 months and not 12. Let your son take his time and everyone will be much happier! Good luck.

Hi,

I agree with most of the advice you've already seen. My daughter showed no interest in solids until about 7 months. At a little over 6 months we tried a tiny bit of cereal mixed with breastmilk once every couple of days to see if she wanted some. One day, she just gulped it down. Some babies are really ready a little earlier, some a little later. If he's satisfied and growing well, there is no reason to push it.

I have a 12 yr old son that was 8 weeks premature. I guess I was lucky that he didn't seem to dislike any kind of food. But I only gave him baby food if I had made a meal that there was nothing he could have. Before he got his first tooth he was gumming fried potatoes. Once his teeth came in...couldn't stop that boy from begging anyone who had a plate in front of them. At 11 months old he went in for a check up at the WIC office. I had to take a 24 hour food intake for him. They were shocked and told me I can't give him these things. I asked why...he has teeth and he likes it. He had over medium fried egg, fried potatoes and onions, sausage patty, and some bisquit. He didn't eat but a few bites of each but it was enough for his little belly. With all three of my children, I fed them off my plate when I could and saved the baby food for when I cooked meals they couldn't have. Besides that, I couldn't afford to buy enough baby food to feed his bottomless pit and 4 more. Try just giving him what he see you eat. Providing he is able to chew or gum it. I found out that when my children saw me eating something, they were more eager to try something new. But if I made something for the rest of the family and I couldn't stand the taste of it, my youngest would always try to say, I don't like that!!!! They are more willing to eat things that mom and dad eat.

Background first:
Breastfed babies don't need cereal (actually, most formula-feds don't either). It was designed to teach a baby how to eat when you were told to start your baby at or before 4 months and they still had a tongue-thrust. It's iron-fortified for formula-feds because formula doesn't have easily-digestible iron like BM. "They" have recently decided that you can start with meats if you want because breast-feds can use the extra protein, so don't rule out the nasty beef and gravy by assuming you shouldn't start with it.

SO, skip the cereal and just start trying different foods one at a time. Avacado is GREAT!! High in fat (good fat) and pretty bland. BM is very sweet so the old "don't start with fruit because it will teach your kid only to like sweet foods" doesn't really apply to breast-feds. There have been a lot of studies done recently. Next time stage ones are on sale, get one of each jar and just start trying them one at a time, you are bound to come across something he likes.

Remember: BM is all a baby needs for the first 12 months. Introducing solids is about teaching them to eat and like solids, not getting nutrition. Don't worry if he doesn't eat much, if he's peeing, pooping, and sleeping well, he is getting what he needs. Personally, I tend to avoid conversations with the doc about eating and sleep because he and I just don't see eye-to-eye on the subject and I feel confident in the research I have done. "Is he sleeping through the night" "Yes"...when he's not up to nurse every 3 hours but that doesn't count as long as he goes right back to sleep...
I know plenty of women who breastfed until 7 or 8 months because their baby showed no sign of interest in food and still after that, the baby only ate a couple ounces each feeding. Don't worry, as long as he continues to gain weight and you aren't pushing to wean early, he'll be just fine! :)