Having a Hard Time Transitioning to Solids

Hi H.,
So she was showing signs that she was ready to eat, you started feeding her and since you stopped the cereal she won't eat? Or has she been doing this all along? Personally, I would take a break from it and revisit it later. I really don't think not eating fruit for a couple of weeks just formula is going to make her starve. If you are tense or frustrated, she will feel that from you. So it's probably best for both of you to give it a break. I was introducing potty training with my son when he was 14 months old. And I was uncomfortable about it and found myself getting impatient. He picked up on my feelings and fought me on it. I took a break, changed my attitude (if he goes great, if not, that's fine too)and revisited it. It was great from that point forward.
best of luck,
Trish

Why the hurry? If she's not ready, she's not ready. Like someone else said, babies do not NEED food until they are off of breastmilk or formula. We tried once every couple day after 6 months and he didn't end up wanting solids until about 8 1/2 months but he is a happy, healthy, thriving 2 1/2 year old now. 6 Months is a guideline but every child is so different and doesn't always follow the typical "rule".
Good luck mama.

Until they are off of breastmilk or formula they do not need food. There is practically no nutrients in baby food. It is just to train their palette to accept healthy foods, and to teach them how to eat. At 6 months I would stop trying to feed her and try again in another month or 2. Until they are eating food in bites they don't get any nutrients from it.

I wouldn't worry about her getting enough nutrients because solids at this point are still just practice for the most part...she should be getting everything she needs nutrient-wise from formula or breastmilk. I wouldn't force the food issue, just keep offering and leave it up to her. If you make the whole feeding thing traumatizing, it could hurt her food habits in the long run. If you want, you could try thinning the fruit with some formula or breastmilk (start with mostly the milk/formula and a little bit of fruit and if she takes that decrease the amount of milk and increase the fruit slowly). Maybe the taste is just too strong for her? It is a huge change in taste. Also, are you trying the same fruit over and over? Maybe she just doesn't like it. Just go slow and try not to get too frustrated...I know it's easier said than done...Good luck!

Don't worry. I went through that with my daughter and they eventually will open when they are ready. The key is to be consistent and continue trying. As long as they are getting enough formula or breast milk, that is where they get their nutrients from for the first year so you don't need to worry about that. Just keep trying, be patient and she will eventually eat for you! Good luck!

I agree with everyone.. my daughters really didn't eat solids until they were about 1. Maybe a tad younger, but not much. I fed it to them when they were interested... (grunting for it, grabbing our spoons, etc.). There's no reason to rush it. My kids were/are all fine. Stop trying until she shows some interest. You could try a very tiny bit of prune juice for #2 problems if that is still an issue at this point.

I agree with others...four months seems a bit early to start and she can go many more months with exclusively breastfeeding or formula.

If she is at the table for family meals, she will eventually get interested in what everyone else is putting in their mouths. My daughter wasn't particularly into any of the typical "first foods" that are recommended these days, but she went wild for avocado early on, so I just went with that. Let your daughter lead you.

At this point, she may be, in her own way, telling you she is not ready. I would not push the foods as that could pose a bigger issue down the road for her with food. I would keep with formula and maybe try a juice instead at different points during the day. Juices are good for that kind of thing too. My girlfriends daughter had the same issue and where she wanted to just lay back on the foods and continue the bottle/breast, her husband pushed the foods and her daughter who is 5 has food issues to this day especially the introduction of new things. They let us know when they are hungry and as long as she is gaining weight, don't push it. She may like the juice, something to think about. The other thing I did was mix a very small amount of cereal in my daughter's bottle and she did fine with that. God bless! Use your mommy instincts, I am sure they are great!

Ditto to other responses. Our daughter not interested in solids until 13 mos, even though I offered everyday. Son is 7 months and give me this look like "what on earth are you doing???" everytime I sneak a bit of food in his mouth! Your daughter is getting enough nutrients if she is getting breastmilf or formula.

I agree with the prior 2 posts. My son is 28 months now and has had feeding issues and is just at the point where he is getting about half of his nutrients from food. He is developmentally perfect and while on the skinny side, growing just fine. 6 months is just an age where most babies are ready - meaning some are not. Up until a year (and actually longer) babies get everything they need from breast milk or formula. At 6 months it is just practice. Don't let it frustrate you. As one of the posters said you don't want eating to become a traumatic experience. Take a week off and try again. Perhaps try yogurt. All Natural Brown Cow Cream top has been our saving grace. They sell it at Jewel or Whole Foods. We buy vanilla - no lumpy fruit. Another small trick, for my son who is not a fan of eating, instead of trying to get him to open his mouth I will put a small amount of food on his lips for him to lick off, sometimes that is enough for him to say, yum that is good, give me more. Good Luck!

Is there a reason you want to start her on solids now? Her behaviors seem like she's not ready yet. Can you wait a month or two and try again? My pediatrician told me solids are not required for nutrients until after 12 months. She gets everything she needs to develop from formula and/or breast milk.

Hi H.,

Have you tried the Baby Safe Feeder? She can suck on fruit, ice, etc.. without chocking. This product was great for my children. I used it because I needed a few minutes to get things done. My twins loved them. It may help your baby get exposed to solids. Of course she is young so don't worry if she doesn't want it. I'd give it a try though since the product is under 12 dollars.
Here's the link:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2404768

She probably doesn't want to give up the bottle. Put the fruit in the bottle and slit the opening a tiny bit bigger so she can scuk it out without pouring down her throat; don't want her to choke from flow being too fast.

My brother was exclusively breastfed for 13 months b/c he simply would not eat anything. He's now a 26 y/o bruiser of a young man...and was a very chubby, healthy, smart baby and little boy. worry not, every kid is different.

My daughter is also 6 months old and she has been on cereal since she was 1 month old to help hold down her formula. The cereal gave her problems so inbetween bottles her doctor had me give her Pear Juice. So, if your daughter needs "some help", try giving her the Pear Juice. It has a very mild flavor and my daugher has loved it. You will have to adjust the amounts as you figure it out, as too much juice will have a "loose" end (ha-ha).

The first year of life, babies thrive on breastmilk / formula alone. It is a good idea to introduce solids for the experience, not for sustenance. It's all about learning about textures, tastes, how to chew, etc. It's really about play. Don't worry about food being nutritional at this point. Keep offering her new foods periodically. She'll eventually get it. As far as her bowels, you can add a powdered acidophillus supplement to her breastmilk / formula to help. You can get one at whole foods in the refrigerated section of supplements. Also, once she starts becoming more active it will change.

HELLO,
Don't be frustrated. My daughter is 8 months old and she just became interested in solids. She still prefers to nurse, so i give her a little solids. She still nurses like 6 times a day. I tried to give her solids at 6 months, but she was not interested. she would not open her mouth. i think she just did not like gerber baby food and i thought she was too young for the food i made, so i just waited until she was ready and now i give her regular food that we eat. She also has some problems with her #2, which i never understood because she was breastfeed, but she loves apricots so she eats that quiet offtebn. Good luck.

We cut the bottle's nipple a tiny bit and started adding in a couple tablespoons of stage 1 baby foods. Got our baby used to the taste. But at 6mos she's fine in regards to nutrients and such. As long as she's growing. If you have more concerns, talk to your pediatrician, that's what they are there for.

Try putting fruit in the mesh bag feeders. It worked great for me!

No offense but I think you started too early and now you've turned her off. Give her a break for a while (at least a couple of weeks or more) and try again very gently. Don't force the issue. She will take it when she's ready.

My son was the same way with eating solids! I started trying with him at 6 months, but he would have nothing to do with it. I tried feeding him first thing in the morning, before he had nursed- when he would be hungriest, but to no avail. Finally, at about 7 months, I started trying to feed him twice a day, eating a bite of whatever it was to show him that it was food and we eat it, and after a few weeks of that, he was ready. One day, he just opened his mouth and accepted the food- it was VERY exciting!
Just keep trying, be consistent, and when she's ready, she'll let you know...
Good luck!