complaining and whining while eating

[inga]

For the last week my 8 month ds has started whingeing and eventually crying after about 5 minutes of feeding. I've tried ensuring there are no distractions, etc. I'm 99% sure it's not the food as most of the stuff he's always enjoyed. Even his favourites i.e. bananas and yoghurt are eliciting moans and whinges.
His poohing habit is still the same so he is obviously still getting enough nutrients, etc. and he slept through the night before last and managed until 0630 am this morning without a bottle.
Has anyone else experienced a similar thing? Any suggestions?
Spoke to the HV and she gave me a leaflet. I don't want to make it an issue, but am concerned.
PS Have tried feeding him in his buggy instead of chair but no better. Ditto eating as a family around the table.

Have you tried letting him have his own spoon? You can then let him try feeding himself whilst you shovel food in when his attention is elsewhere. It's worked for my 2 at various times.

The spoon thing works for us. Also he could be teething. That sometimes makes eating uncomfortable. A spot of calgel or calpol could work. Maybe a game while he eats might help - eg pulling faces, funny rhymes and songs. My ds loves to make me 'eat' the yoghurt lid while he eats...

my ds (12 mo) is usually a great eater but has phases like this. It seems to be when he is under the weather for some reason, or teething, or very tired. he feeds better with something to play with/fiddle with - more distractions rather than less!! I'd go along with the spoon suggestion, also try plenty of finger food at this stage.
I expect things will get back to normal, try not to worry.
hth

Hi Inga

My 11 month ds was just like this - he started really crying/howling at mealtimes when he was about 6 months old - and he's only just stopping it... Mealtimes were a complete nightmare and I used to be really worried he had some kind of stomach problem, but the crying came and went, and when we offered him something really yummy (like a rusk, or custard) he magically stopped...

I think with my ds it was being stuck in a chair -he was just getting mobile, and resented being strapped in a chair to eat. We sometimes ended up feeding him while he was stood up - much more peaceful! He still has most of his breakfast stood up, as this is the meal he can get most upset about.

Other things that helped were getting one of those toys you can stick on the table and they spin around, and giving him an empty plate and spoon - just to distract him really.

He's calming down now - so good luck with your ds!

Hi dot1. Sounds like identicle eating habits!!!
Glad to hear I'm not alone. Don't much like the standing up idea but, hey if it works, never mind the floors! Will try anything. Added worry is that we're thinking of sending him to nusery soon and I really want his eating to be sorted.