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Original poster

Baby will only eat crisps

183 replies

reallybloodytired · 14/07/2021 08:38

Really not what I thought would happen when weaning. Six weeks in and he won’t eat anything (he is seven months.)

I have tried purées and non purées, pouches, just putting food in front of him, giving him the spoon (he throws it on the floor!) - he just won’t eat.

But he will eat melty puffs. Sad

Can anyone give me some pointers - I’m really worried.

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LemonLemonLemon · 14/07/2021 08:42

It’s stressful but try not to worry, you’re still early on. Just make meal times as pressure free as possible. I found more or less ignoring my son and allowing him to have a go himself while I ate next to him and offer him the occasional spoonful worked well.

It can take up to ten times for them to like something.

You can also do picnic lunches on the floor and just leave some picky bits for him if meals aren’t working either.

He’ll get there!

Foghead · 14/07/2021 08:45

Let him taste your food when you’re eating. Try not to give him any more of the food that you don’t want him to have a preference for and just keep on with proper food.

SameToo · 14/07/2021 08:46

Can you try things that are a similar texture to the melty puffs? So at least he’s trying different flavours. My DD was very fussy with food and is now a gannet so don’t worry.

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SoMuchForSummerLove · 14/07/2021 08:48

At the end of the day, he's a baby. Take the crisps away, don't offer them again, and keep offering bits and pieces of what you're having. He'll get the idea.

Marianicka · 14/07/2021 08:48

Skip the purées and spoons for the time being. If he can manage crisps, he can manage tiny pieces of toast, cut up soft fruit, small shreds of tender meat, thin pieces of cheese, peas etc etc. It's a much easier way to wean.

thirstyformore · 14/07/2021 08:50

My ds would t eat any food until about 9 months. At 8 he is still incredibly fussy now!! Over the years I've found it very stressful. Take away but puffs, wait a few weeks and start again. At 6 months your dc doesn't need food.

ShowMeHow · 14/07/2021 08:51

I have this problem with my teen quite often 🙄

If someone had advised me not to stress too much over food 13 years ago I would have less grey hair now.

I think if you let him play with stuff, no spoon, eventually something will go in his mouth and he will be fascinated at the taste and try it again and you will have a solved problem.

Baby can wash hands before and after in a bowl of soapy water with your help obv.

Pigeonorcoot · 14/07/2021 08:54

Right now it doesn't matter that he's not eating as milk is the main source of nutrition. What matters is that he is being exposed to different foods and that you are modeling eating in front of him so that he will eventually copy you.

Personally I'd take away the melty puffs and just put a few bits of your own food in front of him - see it as something for him to play with for now and don't stress.

quizqueen · 14/07/2021 09:02

Stop buying crisps then he'll forget about them.

Original poster
reallybloodytired · 14/07/2021 09:08

He doesn’t eat anything, honestly.

I’ve tried but he just spits it back out again. The only thing he has had are the melty puffs (I don’t mean he’s eating packets of them but I’ve resorted to them just to get some solids into him) he will try to grab something like ice cream, but he cries hysterically in his high chair.

I’m really feeling like i keep making an awful mess of everything.

I’ve tried scrambled egg, a variety of fruit and veg, ella’s pouches, yoghurt, letting him play with food, letting him feed himself, feeding him with a spoon, he just seems to get stressed.

I know at this age most of his nutrition is from milk but he isn’t experiencing anything else so it worries me.

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TooMuchPaper · 14/07/2021 09:09

Feed him on the floor. Put a tray of chopped up, shredded, flaked bits of food on the tray and see how he gets on.

WheresMySnackPack · 14/07/2021 09:10

Purée some veg and freeze it. Every time you have dinner just heat one up and place it in front of him. That way you're not wasting money on pouches or jars. If he doesn't eat it do the exact same thing the next day.

It's important I find to eat with them. This helps them a lot.

Garman · 14/07/2021 09:13

Well stop giving him the crisps anyway, I wouldn't count them as a "solid", that'd be actual food. Don't stress over it, he just needs time to get used to things. Everyone has given good advice, let him try things you have, give him the odd bit of food to hold, don't make purees and especially if he's just going to throw them around. It's normal for them to spit them out, he's getting used to the flavours and textures.

Original poster
reallybloodytired · 14/07/2021 09:13

I’ve tried feeding him on the floor but he just smeared it on his legs.

It’s so hard because DP is working in the dining room so it’s difficult eating and holding a baby. I’ll try but he just doesn’t engage with food at all. It’s a mystery as literally everything else goes straight in his mouth.

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RestingPandaFace · 14/07/2021 09:13

Honestly don’t stress about it.

You can’t make him wean at 6 months any more than you can make him walk bang on 12. He’ll do it when he’s ready.

Keep offering him bits of the things you want him to have, and do t give him things you’d rather he didn’t eat, or if it’s stressing you out too much leave it a few weeks and try again.

Fundays12 · 14/07/2021 09:13

I wouldn’t offer them so he starts trying other choices but milk should be his main source until 1. Food is play until then really so don’t stress.

Original poster
reallybloodytired · 14/07/2021 09:15

He’s only had them a couple of times to keep him occupied after swimming and on a car journey where he was getting fractious.

It’s just noticeable he eats those and nothing else. I expected a mess and I expected him not to eat much but I am surprised at how poor he is at eating.

OP posts:
Seeline · 14/07/2021 09:19

Throwing it, smearing it, spitting it out is learning all about food. I found if I had baby in my lap whilst eating my food they would try and take bits off my plate or out if my hand - particularly if I hadn't actually given them anything.

If they don't like the high chair, try your lap, a bouncy chair or just sat on the floor.

Original poster
reallybloodytired · 14/07/2021 09:21

But then he isn’t seeing me eat … sorry, I’m not being difficult, I just know I’m doing it all wrong but I’m struggling with how to make it right.

OP posts:
Roomonb · 14/07/2021 09:23

Try plain yoghurt, my DD (who loves food now) hated weaning, yoghurt was great for her.

Seeline · 14/07/2021 09:25

Why isn't he seeing you eat?

Original poster
reallybloodytired · 14/07/2021 09:26

Because I can’t hold him and eat at the same time.

OP posts:
Seeline · 14/07/2021 09:28

And you're not doing anything wrong. Babies are their own individual people. I approached weaning the same with both mine - starting at 4 months as we were told 20 years ago. One ate anything and everything from day 1. The other wouldn't open their mouth for anything but the boob until 9 months, and didn't eat a full meal until 2yrs. Even at 17 years she's still a fussy pain 😁

5475878237NC · 14/07/2021 09:28

Maybe he isn't ready and just needs to stick with milk

niceandsimple · 14/07/2021 09:28

I had one who also didn't eat anything. so I stopped offering just for a couple of days. Then someone else had her, and gave her some carrot out of a soup and she just ate it. After that she started to accept food. She is now nearly 4 and still likes her food just so, but she does eat a variety and definitely eats enough. she was over 8 months at this point.
another point is, babies feel when you are stressed and they don't like it. Try to be as calm about it as possible ( difficult, I know, when you are concerned they are not eating enough)