Can't Get 7 Month Old to Eat!

Hi, Have you tried any regular food with her? My second daughter only ate baby food for about 2 wks. She started at about 4 mos. I was putting rice cereal in her bottle for colic already but she didn't like it mixed with fruit in a bowl or plain. At the dinner table she would grab her sister's hair and try to steal the food on her fork. I started giving her mushed potatoes and pasta, canned fruit, a little of whatever we were eating. It seemed to work. I didn't make myself crazy with what she was eating because I knew she was still getting all the nutrients from the formula. I tried to cut up everything to the size of her pinky nail. She might just want what everyone else has. I pureed a lot of the veg. or mixed baby food in the pasta and overcooked mushy rice. She might want a different texture and is bored. Good luck. Remember there are no real rules, just suggestions on what your baby should be doing. You know her best. Go with your gut.

I know that when babies take antibiotics- it wreaks havoc on their tummies. My son just had a double ear infection & pneumonia and was on medication as well. He had such a poor appetite while on meds. When his antibiotics were done, his appetite picked up. It is 2 weeks later and he is almost back to his regular eating habits.
Also, she may be full from so much formula. I am not sure about the amount needed at 7 months (I breastfed), but at 11 months they only need about 18 - 24 oz daily. Formula/breastmilk should be the staple in baby's diet until 1 year old but if you want her to eat more solids, maybe drop 1 daytime bottle so she is more eager/hungry for solids.

W.,

At 6.5 months, our son wasn't liking rice cereal at all. We didn't force the issue. We tried again at 7.5 then 8 months, and went with oatmeal cereal instead. Stick with what she likes, and try other cereals. Veggies are not bad, either. Just remember, fats are good for her, so include them! Avocado is a fun food that a lot of babies like (I wouldn't have thought it - I don't eat it!) and there are others, too. Babies were made to go the first year on breastmilk alone, so remember that too! Alternatives to baby food? Stick with what she likes and introduce things as you come across them. I think fruits are open game right now, but check with your pediatrician if you are uncertain. Peaches are nice and soft, and if she's teething, you can try freezing little bites of it (we chiseled little bites for the babe :) He loved them on his gums).

She'll eat! They don't starve themselves.

Good Luck!
M.

Poor thing- an ear infection (and probably teething too) can definitely make eating painful. And the medicine may be upsetting her tummy, too! I would try really tasty foods only, right now. Mush up a really ripe banana and give her tiny bits on your finger, and I bet she'll take that! And mix in applesauce or pears (or banana) with her cereal. My son hated plain cereal of any type, but would chow down if it was mixed with fruit or veggies.

She'll get the hang of it again, if you're just persistent and gentle. I bet she's got a tooth coming in (or at least a bud bugging her), too! As long she's taking that formula, she'll be fine. :)

Sorry, you are so frustrated, please be patient with her, her tummy may not be feeling or agreeing to the veggies right now. Everyone responds to antibiotics differently and they can cause tummies to be upset. what cereal does she like? Barley or oatmeal? try bland for a couple of days til antibiotic are out of her system. If she has not allergic reation but does not like the cereal mix bananas in the cereal to sweeten it that could help. Then once she starts getting that in and tolerating that then start with the veggies again.

Hope This helps

Rice cereal tastes horrible. I wouldn't eat it either. Try sweet potatoes, pear, apple (finely grated), bananas, let her eat whatever veggies she likes, and be sure to give her a probiotic between doses of antibiotics and continue with that for several weeks after her antibiotics are done.

Whatever antibiotics can do homeopathy can do faster and without side effects. Please look into that before she gets another ear infection. Is there cow's milk in her formula? It may be what caused the ear infection to start with. Cow's milk causes inflammation in most people.