Ideas About Baby Eating Solids

I would stop putting ceral in his milk...

I would try putting foods on his tray and let him play- some will get to his mouth & then he'll eventually realize, "oh...you eat this & it's goood!!"

foods to put on tray:
cheerios
puffs
bakes sweet potato chunks
banana chunks
avocado chunks
papaya chunks
peach chunks
plum chunks
frozen or canned peas
frozen or canned green beans
chunks of baked squash
sticky rice
noodles
bread
toast

I wait until 9 months for protein:
beans, meat, poultry, egg yolk

Hi T.. My son did the same thing. Eventually he started eating solids. It took me a few weeks with him just eating a few spoonfuls. My strategy was to try everyday to feed him at least a couple of meals as solids and to keep up with nursing (or formula). I noticed with my son that it helped having a set schedule for meals. He started eating more and more and now loves all food. Good luck.

Agreed on no cereal in the milk. I had many people suggest that to me and I didn't do it and was glad I didn't. The pediatrician actually told me it can cause juvenile diabetes or diabetes later in life. Also, it's a choking hazard as well.

As far as him not liking the spoon, I wouldn't force it because at 8 months, he is still getting all the nutrients he needs from the formula or breast milk- it's really just practice for him. You might just be offering him solids when he is already full or he just isn't in the mood. Try something for three days, then give it a rest. Oh, and my mother said out of all the cereals, all of us liked the barley the best, and the same went for my daughter. Barley cereal was her favorite, but it had to be mixed with some type of fruit. I'd try just a tiny bit of cereal mixed in with some carrots or applesauce right before he gets his bottle just to see if it is because he is already full. If that doesn't work, just give him a break from the solids for a little while and try again in a week or so. I hope this helped.

I know you probably do, but do you use the spoons with the rubber on them? This feels better on their gums and when they are learning in my opinion. I know that before my daughter got used to me feeding her with the spoon it was a little awkward for her. I would have to put a little bit on the end of the spoon and kind of ease the spoon in by gently pushing her bottom lip down.

Another thing is that since they are used to the sucking motion with the bottle they use their tongue, which pushes the food out when you try and feed them solids. My daughter got better with swallowing food within a week or two. It just takes time for them to get used to the difference, so just keep trying and your son should become a pro at it soon.

Hi T.,

You just have to be patient with him. I think it is probably that he is just not used to eating solids. Some babies tend to give a hard time transitioning to solids because it is different for them than drinking milk. Keep trying in between his milk, a little at a time, and eventually he will understand the concept of solids. Don't wait until he is screaming, crying hungry or both of you will get frustrated. Let me know how it goes.

~ J.