8 month old isn't interested in weaning

[RainbowsLemonDrop]

I've been weaning my baby since just before 6 months, a mixture of BLW and puréed foods, (both home cooked which was always refused and pouches) we had more success with pouches, but it was still usually refused.

DD literally gags just touching new foods e.g broccoli/cauli florets, sweet potato wedges and even cucumber. She literally holds it's for a few seconds, shudders and throws it on the floor. She very rarely puts it to her mouth and if she does, she automatically gags and shudders again. It seems it's worse with wet foods, as she will pick up dry food e.g pancakes, toast, bagels but I wouldn't say she eats any of it?

I've tried most veg at least 5/6 times, she totally refused chicken and she hates eggs. I'm trying to stick to set meal times, in line with her normal routine, but I think she genuinely would live off milk forever.

She currently has 4 7oz bottles and never wakes for a bottle anymore and sleeps through most nights.

Any ideas? :)

The blw process here involved several stages that were truly baby led. The first stage was poking the items. Next it was pushing them around and smushing them. Then it was throwing them on the floor. About 3 months later,she started putting to her lips! Another few weeks before actually eating anything and learning her natural gag reflex. Unless she is struggling with growth developmentally I wouldn't worry and I'd see mealtimes as an opportunity to eat if she wants.

Thank you. How old was your little one before they started eating it? :)

Don't worry about it. You've got years of ups and downs with food to come. Just keep offering a variety of stuff, let her eat what she wants and don't push anything. They all get there in the end. 'My Child Won't Eat' is great to put your mind at rest.

Don't worry. My dd didn't eat a crumb until 11 months, even when offered food at every meal (she refused to be spoon fed too!) Eventually she got the hang of it and would eat a meal most mealtimes by 14 months.

My second threw pretty much everything on the floor at 8 months, and spat out most of anything she did venture to put into her mouth. She’s 13 months now and has a great appetite, happily eating all the things she rejected previously. It stressed me out at the time as my first loved food from early on, but I tried to chill out about it and she has got there in her own time.

Yes. I do have alternative ideas. Stop stressing and wait (easier said than done!)

DS was 10 months old before he was interested. This is within the normal range. But no one bothers to tell you this properly.

He randomly decided he was going to have spring rolls one day. Never any interest before. Weird kid.

Have you tried eating in front of her but not offering her any until she tries to grab yours? Do this when she's due a bottle/ meal.

Dd1 wasn't interested until about 10/11 months then all she'd eat was toast/crumpets and yogurts 😂😂

My DS wasn't interested in eating until 12 months old.

Doesn't sound like she's ready. My eldest was the same at that age. A couple of melty puffs was eaten, but that was about it. She got there in the end! Just keep offering good, but don't force her to cut back on breast milk/formula.

Oh, and you'll know when she starts weaning. Her poos will obviously change 😆 💩

Have you tried putting her in a highchair with a tray in front of her with different finger foods on, sitting on the opposite side of the tray so it’s like a small table in between you, smiling at her then you eating snacks from her tray? That really awoke my baby’s competitive instinct and ahe kept grabbing food too.

But they’re all different, my nephew hates food. Will eat cardboard, lego, boos etc but not food 🙄

Have you tried using child friendly plates that are visually pleasing? I get my weaning essentials from sillyboo.co.uk and my baby loves using them 🤗