7 Month Old Refusing Solid Food

K., sounds like you've had a really stressful time making sure your daughter is fed and comfortable. I think the Dr. Sears website might have some good ideas for you. One thing I can think of is to try putting food on your finger and swipe it between her lips to get a taste. I would do it in a non-highchair setting so she doesn't feel anxious about food, just in case this is what's going on. Also, I would try overripe bananas to start, instead of cereal (we started with bananas for our son with no problem). Bananas are a very easily accepted food for babies, and the more ripe they are, the sweeter they are. I hope this helps you!

Hi K.,

One of my children wouldn't eat solids until she was a year, now at 4 years old she hardly eats anything at all. Babies don't need solids during the first year of their life...sounds like she's getting adequate nutrition so you're doing a great job there. Don't worry about the solids. Keep offering, but don't make it an issue. When she's ready, she'll eat. Her digestive system probably isn't ready for solids and she instinctively knows this. That would be my guess, given the issues she's already had with digestion.

D.
mother to 5

A few people advised you to "wait," and that is probably good advice. My son is 6 months old and is on solids and when I was asking our doctor about how much he should eat, she told me that the solids are simply fillers right now. Babies get the most nutrients from breast milk or formula. When she is ready, she will eat.

Good luck.

I'm confused about something; seeing as you are a stay at home mom and are breastfeeding with no supply issues, why don't you take her off formula? Your breast milk is the best food for her and at this age is all she needs. Contrary to what your doctor may say, when and how to start solids is very cultural. I know some cultures that don't start until 15 months! Formula is for people who can't or don't want to breastfeed. Nutritionally breast milk is best. You may want to give her a liquid iron supplement because at around 6 months the iron in your milk goes down. If you don't have to give her formula than why do it? Or were you hoping to wean her from the breast? It is not at all uncommon for babies to not be interested in eating at this age. My breastfed daughter had almost no interest in food until she was 13 months and she is very healthy.

I would not worry at this point about your daughter not wanting to eat solid food. If you try to feed her solid food and are all stressed and worked up about it, she will read you and refuse. Keep trying different types of food at different times. She will eat solid food when she is ready. Good luck!

Wait. There is no reason to give a baby that young solid food. She is getting all the nourishment she needs from you and the formula. The longer you wait the more developed her digestive system will be. Don't rush her.

K.,

All babies are different! :) If you can, try going totally breastfed. It sounds like she responds very well to you. Pumping is an option if you feel the need to add rice at night. Don't go by the book. Your baby may be telling you he is not able to tolerate these things yet. If she tolerates your milk and you can feed her, there is no harm in holding off on formula and even solids.

I didn't start my son full-time on solids until 8 months. He wanted no part of rice cereal, and we left it at that until he was more receptive (trying every couple of weeks or so). We didn't force it on him.

Please don't be alarmed - she will enjoy food - just not on everyone else's time-frame.

For the reflux, having her sit up (like in her car seat or a swing) for 1/2 hour or so (may take longer) after her meals will help a lot.

Good Luck!
M.

Hey K.,

I wouldn't worry as long as she is gaining and growing she apparently does not really need solids yet. I do have a few suggestions for you. Do you make the cereal liquid enough sometimes the consistency as well as the taste of the cereal is a turnoff to babies. I would try some fruit, bananas, applesauce etc. Rice cereal alone is pretty gross. Also I have done this and it works let her drink a few ounces of formula and then try the solids. Sometimes babies do not associate the cereal as eating and are looking for the instant gratification of bottle or breast and are not patient enough to eat. Once their bellies have a few ounces they are not so hungry they may take the solids easier. You can then finish up the bottle when she is done eating. She could just be full enough from the cereal in the bottle as well so I really wouldn't worry she seems to be growing and doing great. Happy Holidays!!

Is she at the age yet where you can maybe sprinkle some cheerios in front of her and see if she can pick them up on her own? Her natural curiosity will lead her to put it into her mouth. If that works, try tiny mashed lumps of potato or tiny pieces of cheese.

My son has always been a good eater, but there are times when he does not want to be fed. So I just casually put some food in front of him and then go about my business. (The strained baby food is too fine, the food needs to have a little texture so they can grab onto it.) It usually disappears pretty quick. Good luck!!

I wouldn't stress too much right now. She's had a rough go of it with food, and she's now finally at a place where she is comfortable. Breathe easy, with the knowledge that she's getting all the nutrients she needs!

That being said, have you spoken with her doctor about the solids issue? It may help to hold her while feeding her, and use your finger- as one mom said. Fruit might indeed be easier for her than cereal. A little applesauce or pears on your finger, and just dip it into her mouth. Try it yourself in front of her, so she sees mama eating it. She may have some swallowing difficulties (talk to your doctor to find out!), and I think that fruit is smoother and easier to swallow than rice cereal.

Good luck!

Mine did the samething, and is also allergic to milk, eggs, and soy. So I would wait and when you do introduce something do it for a while, not just 3 days. I did rice cereal for like a month then introduced other things. There is no rush to this and just go at your own pace. No one cares, its for your babies health. My baby is 15 months now and we just started regular food and just eating 3 times a day, she does get rice milk now.

I know how stressful this is because I had similar problems with both of my babies. Everyone just kept telling me not to worry about it, just keep offering and eventually she'll take it. Mine didn't take the food until their reflux was under control and they stopped spitting up and were more comfortable. This could be your problem too. I know you said she's on medicine, but it doesn't sound like it's working if she's still fussing and spitting up. I know it's awful because a friend and I both went through this, but I would suggest calling the GI specialist and asking to try a new medicine. Once mine were on Prilosec, the spitting up stopped, the fussing stopped and they started to eat. We went through a few medicines that didn't work before we tried Prilosec and the difference was quick and dramatic. (I mentioned my friend going through it as well....the same was true for her baby....Prilosec made the difference....the spitting-up stopped and then the baby could eat.)
Call the GI specialist and tell him/her what's going on.
Good luck.