If 10mo refuses food do I offer something else or just clear away?

[dash26]

DD is not massively interested in solids (or milk for that matter). She is ok with finger foods generally tries most things a lot gets spit back out after a bit of a chew. She will not eat anything wet and lumpy. The only thing she is guaranteed to eat is oat and banana pancakes, greek yogurt & berries of some kind, however she needs more variety than this. This morning I gave her weetabix and steamed apple, which she has eaten in the past however this morning she completely refused it.

Question is should I just clear away after a while even though she hasn't eaten anything or should I just get out the yogurt knowing she will probably eat that? I don't want her to get into a habit of refusing new foods knowing it will eventually lead to yogurt but I don't want her going hungry either and she is not a big milk drinker, she is almost 10mo and on about 300-400ml a day which is quite a struggle to get that in her.

[Ambergrease]

I can tell you what I did, but all babies are different. Put the food in front of them, sat down and ate my own, chatted away and made no comments on whether they ate. Then pottered around tidying, basically avoided sitting there watching them eat (or not).

Often I found putting food on my plate meant they asked for some of it, and so I’d share. If they weren’t hungry that meal, fine, I didn’t mention it. Just made sure the next snack was something fairly balanced and substantial.

This obviously wouldn’t work for a child with specific needs around food, or who desperately needs more calories. But I went with the approach that it was my job to offer food and then take a big step back and make sure there was no pressure or comment. It’s was their job to decide whether to eat it or not. Worked well for my DCs.

[CadyEastman]

400 mls at 10 months is absolutely fine. Personally I wouldn't offer an alternative. No baby is going to eat if they know that when they whinge their favourite food will magically appear.

The PP has a very sensible approach

[dash26]

Thanks both, I tried to have a more relaxed approach at dinner tonight, I made a broccoli and pea orzo and put it in front of her and just talked about other stuff, didn't try to feed her and she didn't eat any of it. I tried to feed her after a while and she was not interested so I just cleared it away and didn't offer anything else. I am just worried she isn't getting the nutrition she needs.

My concern is 400ml may be sufficient for a 10mo but this guidance assumes the baby is having 3 meals a day, if DD isn't eating much at all at meal times and then only on 300-400ml a day this can't be good. Yesterday wasn't great solid wise and she only had 270ml.

Not sure at which point I should be worried if this continues.

[Lifeinlists]

If she's not gaining weight sufficiently and growing then that would be cause to worry.

Maybe speak to your health visitor for advice. Some babies take a long time to get used to different textures and tastes and can be very selective for a long time. If you're in doubt about her getting enough food altogether then I'd be giving her whatever I know she would eat.That's more important than having rules about it.

[CadyEastman]

Are you giving her a daily vitamin and is she following her centiles?

I'd tend to agree with the PP. perhaps give her something on the plate that you know she'll eat?

Can I ask which formula she's on?

[dash26]

@CadyEastman Yes I give her a multivitamin daily. She was weighed about a month ago and there were no concerns by the HV then, as she was following her centile line. I will call again to get her weighed. She is on Kendamil 1 and has been pretty much since birth. I combi-fed until 7 months (mostly BF until this point)

I hate the thought of her going hungry so I will likely always offer her greek yogurt and a fruit pouch if she doesn't eat her main meal.