my fussy 8mo is just not eating. what can I do????

[stokeymonkey]

Mealtimes have becom a nightmare these last couple of weeks as he starts to cry and fuss after just a few mouthfuls, even though I know he is hungry and has previously gobbled what I'm offering. I go to Backup Plan B, which is usually fine for maybe a couple more mouthfuls. Most days there is at least one Plan C and occasionally there's even a Plan D.

I don't think he's sore with teething at the moment (you can tell by the rivers of dribble), and he only really wants milk first and last thing.

At what point do I say 'no - this is your lunch, please eat it, there's nothing else' (bearing in mind that he's only 8 months old and can't actually understand what I'm saying), or do I have to keep on driving myself mad, capering round like some f**king dinner monkey trying to get him to eat something, anything??
I'm getting really worried that he barely seems to eat enough to keep body and soul together, and equally worried that I shouldn't turn the issue of food into a battle..

Any advice??

[RebeccaandOllie]

Hi, I also have an 8 month old and was going through almost exactly the same thing! I was at my wits end and really worried that he couldnt survive on the pathetic amount he was eating and dreaded every meal time as it just seemed to turn into a battle. Someone told me I should try finger food. That seems to placate him enough for me to shovel in most of his food. I guess the battles were down to him asserting his independence and not liking the fact that he couldnt feed himself.

[LongDeadMotherofHarryP]

My third one wouldn't take any solids until she was a year old - she was too full of milk! Also at 8 months many babies are teething and just don't want to know. I'd offer food but not worry if it is rejected. As long as your baby is having plenty of fluids and is not losing weight food can wait. One other thing - if your baby is constipated (very common if on formula) then food will be rejected. Something like syrup of figs can help sort that out. Hope this helps.