HELP: baby refuses solids

[millsa]

hallo. I started weaning my girl 4.5 weeks ago. She has been quite fussy and eating tiny amounts, but at least eating. But yesterday she refused all solids - I tried giving her different things throughout the day but she just kept her mouth shut and didn't take anything (just formula). Today is the same - I have just lost another battle... Has it happened to anyone else? Maybe I should just not give her milk and wait till she is REALLY hungry, but it breask my heard when she cries for milk...

This is my second baby and although I generally have a relaxed attitude to bringing up my kids this is already stressing me out :(

thanks in advance.

[Vik]

How old is she?

It maybe that she's just not interested, they do say 'food for fun until they're one!' meaning they don't get a great deal from solid food until they're a year, it's just about having fun and experimenting, they get most of what they need from their milk, I personally wouldn't be worried at all but then I am so laid back about these things I'm practically horizontal!

Have you tried babyled weaning or finger foods?

[Saffron]

Totally agree Vik. Don't even worry about the solids. Definitely don't withold the milk. It's more important your LO have milk than solids. What type of weaning are you doing? I have a copy of Baby Led Weaning floating around the Forum somewhere. I'd be happy to loan it to you. Your LO might just be expressing her independence via the medium of food. Try leaving out solids for a week. Then reintroduce them as finger foods only. Or let her spoon feed herself. Giving her control over the food may make it more interesting and fun for her. xx

[Pickle]

My son was a breeze to wean, daughter a nightmare. She was about 8.5 months old before she started eating "properly" (in that she'd actually accept a little bowl of fruit/cereal for breakfast), but for 2 months before it was a stressful nightmare trying to get her to take anything.

In the end I pretty much gave up with "baby" foods and just gave her bits of whatever myself or her brother were eating - if she was hungry she would give it a try, if not at least it meant I hadn't wasted time preparing something especially for her.

Looking back I wish I hadn't worried about it so much. She obviously wasn't ready, was getting plenty of milk which is the main thing at that age, and now at nearly 3 is a brilliant little eater.

I would keep offering little bits, but don't worry if she's not interested, she'll get there eventually.

P x

[millsa]

thanks everyone, reassuring and useful posts. She is 6.5 months and a tiny tiny little thing (2nd centile), so maybe just not interested in food yet.

Saffron, thankd for the offer of the book but i will stick to annabel carmel for now.

Very useful post Picke as it looks like it is the same here: my son was just obsessed with his food and ate LOADS and NON STOP. It looks like it might be another two months before the pink princess starts eating properly. I will stop worrying now :)

THANKS AGAIN!