Baby Refuses Formula, Baby Food, Finger Food

Terra is right on with her suggestions. I would also suggest, in addition to the Hyland's, giving her some baby Motrin. Teething is very painful. I know I was afraid to give my guy motrin or tylenol, but when they're in pain it really is the best thing. You can also try cutting bagel halves in two and freezing them. you can also freeze wet wash clothes. The cold helps soothe the pain.

Well I'm going to contradict some of the ladies here. Do NOT feed her baby or finger foods before breastfeeding her especially if she is not eating well. Before one year of age babies should be getting most of their nutrition from breast milk (or formula) and regular food is just for practice. Baby food does not have nearly the amount of calories breast milk does. You should always nurse her first and then let her have some other foods to "play" with and experiment with. It should be fun with no pressure attached. She will start eating more solids when she is ready. Just keep offering them to her during meals when your whole family is eating (so she can see you eating) and relax. She will do just fine on breast milk for now.

As to the teething pain I agree with trying the Hyland's teething tablets they worked wonders for my daughter. You could also give her a little children's motrin before bed if she is absolutely having a horrible time sleeping. Nurse, nurse, nurse as much as she wants. The nursing will actually help her with deal with the pain in her mouth and will help sooth her.

Hi M.,

I'm sorry you go through that.
My daughter is also 10 months and have been refusing baby food nearly 2 months ago already. What I would suggest, if you don't do it already:
- try to vary the finger foods. It's incredible all what these gums can mush and eat! (fish, tofu, very well cooked meat, many well coked veggies, rice, ripe and cooked fruits)
- Serve her dinner before breastfeeding her, so she is more hungry
- Feed her when you eat, and if appropriate what you eat (salt free, no chocking hazard, allergy triggers, hot spices...). Often babies (and toddlers) are more interested by what is in your plate than what in on their tray, even when it's the exact same menu.

She may wake up at night because she didn't get her calories during the day.

I hope these tips will help and you'll get your sleep and smile back!

I couldn't have said it better than Terra! I do have a suggestion about the teething pain though. Amber! Try an amber teething necklace, they've worked great for us. And if it doesn't for you, at least you still have a cute necklace for your baby. (of course to only be worn under your supervision) Check out Inspired by finn site.

While it's brutal, just remember: it's temporary! These phases always pass. Nurse her lots, even through the night if she needs it. Keep offering solids, but keep in mind this is nature's way of having breastfeeding fill the gaps in babies' diets as necessary during their development. And congrats on nursing to ten months and beyond. :)

We have been going through this off and on each time our 8 month old gets a new tooth (or set of teeth, they seem to come in two's for her). She now has 6 teeth, two on bottom, four on top. Anyway, I thought she must be the pickiest eater in the world, because my two older ones ate ANTYHING we gave them at that age, and enthusiastically. Feeding this one was like a battle just to get a few spoonfuls in sometimes. But we did discover that as long as we just tried at each mealtime and got a few bites in, we should consider that a successful mission :) And let her have the bottle as much as she needed, which she seemed to crave while teething. (Normally I would be nursing, but this time around I had to have a surgery that required medication unfit for nursing, so this one has been bottlefed since 3 months sadly.)
Be encouraged that your daughter is still getting most everything she needs from breastmilk, and if you can just keep trying solid foods, eventually she'll enjoy it. I really think it's the teething pain, ours just doesn't eat much when she is cutting teeth.
I did discover some baby food our daughter really likes. I bought it at Henry's market. It's called Healthy Time, and it's organic. They have great combinations of stuff, and you can get combos that don't have the allergens you are supposed to watch out for at this age (like egg, wheat, etc.) that a lot of the 3rd stage mainstream brands like Gerber will include.
It's cheaper than Earth's Best, and way more options. Our daughter had Jasmine's Chicken Luau yesterday (peaches, apples, chicken, brown rice) and LOVED IT! Today she will be doing Veggie Stew (lentils, carrots, brown rice). Hope that helps :)

I would agree with Geraldine and add any kind of raw fruit that is soft--honeydew, cantaloupe, bananas, and my oldest son loved blueberries that I'd cut in half...he's five now and could still eat a pint at time if I'd let him. Also, try yogurt, and get the organic or all natural if you can...the other has lots of sugar and "fake sugar" (high fructose corn syrup) in it. I know these are all sweet things, but they will get some healthy calories in her. And my oldes who loved the blueberries, and was a picky eater like yours, still eats his weight in fruit and yogurt. One other thing, you could try "grilled cheese." Lightly toasted whole wheat bread (too easy to choke on plain), then melt a slice of cheese on it in the microwave for a few seconds. Cut the crust off and cut it in tiny bites. Good luck! I've got two picky ones, and one still on breast milk, so I know how you feel. It will get better. They will usually eat when they are hungry enough, and even though it may not seem that way, they will take in enough calories for them! Hang in there!!

Teething.
Try teething remedies: Hyland's Teething Tabs. Or let her chew on a dampened & frozen wash cloth.
Teething wakes many babies, many times at night.
My son, woke SO much whenever he was teething. And yes, it affects their eating and nursing. My kids, both of them, did not nurse well nor eat well when teething...

All the best,
Susan

Is it possible she is teething. My kids hated baby food as well so I have them what we were eating in the beginning pureed and then chunky as they got used to the consistency. Also, make sure meals are not to close to nursing time so she is hungry and not filled up on breastmilk. I always gave my kids a bottle when they woke up and then fed them breakfast (pancakes, french toast, waffles, or oatmeal cereal and fruit ) about an hour later. Then they would nap after breakfast, I would then give a bottle when they woke and do lunch around 12 or so. They would then take another nap, bottle when they woke and even a snack around three if they were hungry (just some cheerios or something small) Dinner was around 6 and then one more bottle before bed. Having a picky eater can be a challenge so I guess it is all trial and error at this point. Good luck