What do you do if they refuse to open their mouth?

[sunshine75]

Okay Dd ( 25 weeks) showed all the signs of 'being ready'. Following food eagerly, grabbing my banana and sucking it etc etc. So I allowed her to sit in high chair and play with a spoon for a few weeks.

First day - great she had some pureed stuff. Now she clamps her mouth shut when food comes near her. If I give her the spoon with food on she looks at it and then drops it. Although sceptical about BLW, I though lets give it a try. I gave her a bit of banana and a carrot baton but she wasn't having any opf it.

What should I try next?

[trixymalixy]

My DS did this. I just had to relax and keep offering him finger food and spoons loaded with puree.

It took a long time before it clicked with him that the stuff on the spoon tasted nice.

The key is to not get stressed out about it as they pick up on your stress.

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

I'd leave it a few days, personally. Sounds like she's not too fussed just yet, and there's no rush. I would just stick a couple of bits of fruit/steamed veg in front of her in a few days and let her decide what to do with it. She might just squish it, that's ok. At some point she will start to put things in her mouth, until then don't worry, just take it away after a while.

As for spoonfeeding, it might be best to leave that til she's happily tasting things for herself, you don't want to put her off. hth!

[Aitch]

you wait. she's onlt wee.

[sunshine75]

Yes, I guess it's not a problem really. But she is ebf and what about getting iron into her after 6 months?

[Aitch]

oooh, that old chestnut...

you know it's kinda bollocks, don't you?

[TheGabster]

Agree totally with the chill advice - there's is absolutely no pressure. He will get there in his own time. Just keep giving him the opportunity and see what happens.

If it helps, my DS flat refused to eat anything without first sticking his hand in the bowl and squidgeing it for a bit (still does!).

Gets very messy at times of course, but I think this is important as it has to be fun, and find as long as he is allowed to inspect everything thoroughly between his fingers first, whether porridge or toast, he is then happy to eat it. Let him explore it with his hands and see what happens (I think this is why BLW is so successful!).

[IHeartIona]

To second what TheGabster says, I find my dd eats more if she can nibble her plastic bowl, stick her fingers in the food/smell it etc - then she is eager for more even if she has been refusing/sucking thumb/looking around for a while.
It is indeed messy but seems like fun!