finding it hard to wean 6mnth old

[missclaire]

hi everyone, just started weaning my 6mnth old and finding it hard she takes first 2 spoonfulls ok then just shuts her mouth tightly and refuses to have anymore. any advice would be gratefull dont know what to do x

Food is fun until one. So just don't worry about it. Keep her milk feeds up as thats her 'food'. Two spoonfuls arent that bad isn't it?

I'm not much further on than you so I'm far from being out of the woods yet, let alone an expert but for what it's worth I've been doing this for about five weeks now and I can tell you that a baby's appetite and willingness to eat varies hugely if my dd is anything to go by: some days she will eat a meal that would do me proud, other days I can't get the spoon into her mouth for love nor money. And often a food that she's turned her nose up at one day she will hoover up the next and vice versa. I was in a total two and eight about it last week and several friends, a GP and a health visitor have persuaded me that this is totally normal, there is no "right way" and there is no such thing as an easily weanable baby. Keep at it, try foods twice and don't be put off if she turns her nose up once but don't force the issue. And eventually, I think, it will come good. Good luck.

At this stage it's just about exploring. Put some food on her tray, let her put her hands in it, get messy, put some in her mouth etc. Hovering over her waving a loaded spoon is stressful for you both, I remember it well!

I don't think DS really ate properly until 9 months and now at nearly 2 there's nothing wrong with his appetite. It will come in time I promise!

Try just giving her a baby rice cake snapped in half, or a slice of tomato. Doesn't matter if she doesn't eat it but she might surprise you. Agree pressing spooned food on a person if any age isn't likely to get a good result!

My one's been doing that too - but I don't think two mouthfuls is too bad at all. Like others I have been leaving food like banana within easy reach so she can feel it and mush it between her fingers, throw it on the floor and such! I thought that if she wants more she'll let me know, although it is a bit annoying - spent ages steaming and blending bally organic vegetables!!!

My LO doesn't like being spoon fed so my new trick of the last few days is dipping toasted pitta bread fingers in my lovingly prepared purees - she sucks off the puree and leaves the bread. Job done!

My son is 9 months and hardly eats solids at all - just liquidised Stage 1 type fruit purees, Ella's and the like (he hates the purees I make!). I am getting flak from the health visitors and GP about it, but he just doesn't like eating solid things, and isn't a very oral dude in general. I am still doing lots of breastfeeding.
He has food allergies though, to dairy, egg, soy and shellfish, so I wonder if the ill effects he sometimes experiences have made him not like eating?
I'm sort of worried, but also glad the bf is still going well.