Got his first 2 teeth and now won't let the spoon in!!!!

[Pupness]

My 11 month old ds hasn't eaten a proper meal (ie the usual Karmel dinners) for 6 weeks! It all seems to have ended as soon as his bottom 2 teeth arrived and since then he screams everytime the spoon comes near his mouth and turns his head away. Not wanting to force him, he just has his bottle and that is it. He does have the occasional rice cake but I have a freezer full of food and the little man won't touch it. Tried all eating together and letting him have a go at feeding himself, but alas, he is just happy with the milk. He is full of beans but I just worry that he is not getting enough nutrients needed for growth!!

It can be very unnerving for little ones who suddenly have teeth in their mouth. It may be that his gums are sensative & so eating is making them sore. Or he may have bitten his lip, or tongue.

Offer cold foods, yoghurt, soft fruits from fridge to help soothe & calm the gums. Let him play with the food, you'll be surprised at how much will go in. Put an old sheet or plastic sheeting under him & offer him foods that he can hold & would normally have eaten.

It's good that you don't force the isuue, as this will have reverse effects. Take it a little at a time, maybe he just wants to feed himself for a bit.

Hi Melissamyummy - its so difficult - he eats his rice cakes ok, but last night I thought I'd just try him with pasta and a bit of cheese and ham. I put very small pieces into his mouth and he ate a small amount. Better that nothing I suppose but it really is a catch 22 situation. The health visitor says be careful not to give him too much milk, but if he's hungry and won't eat, I can't ration it. It looks like his top teeth are coming so mayber once they are here, he will eat a little more. He is definitely not interested on anything pureed anymore!!!

Hi pupness, is the spoon you use hard plastic? If so maybe a soft one would help. My dd bottom 2 also through and top ones just breaking through. Anyway she only likes feeding from her soft top spoon and bites down on spoon with each mouthfull.

And dont think your doing wrong by keeping giving milk I would too. Why have you to limit it?

LynnC - I think the HV is concerned that he won't be hungry for his solids if I let him have a much milk as he wants. The spoons are very soft and he will ordinarily chew them, just hates it when its me feeding him. He used to love yoghurt and now wont have it. I do worry about it, but try to keep mealtimes happy and not prolonged!

Pupness, maybe his top gums are too sore to eat, he may be hitting the gums with his teeth & making the soreness worse.

I wouldn't ration his milk either until I knew he was eating enough solids, believe me, you don't want a hungry baby AND a teething baby! I know it's a hard place to be in, just keep offering small amounts of his fave food, leave it on his plate in front of him too.

My DD hated being fed from about 12 months, you wouldn't believe the mess, but she was eating, so I didn't mind. Have you let him see you eating? So he knows it's normal? Don't pull "urgh" faces about food in front if him, as he'll think you don't like his food, so he won't eat it.

My dd is 2 now & if she doesn't eat nicely I threaten to feed her, works a dream!

Good Luck.