Hates spoon

[Sticki]

Hi
My dd is nearly 7 months old and started we weaning about 5 or 6 weeks ago. The problem is that she hates the spoon and so wont take anything from one (big screams and upset ). She will 'eat' finger foods but not much is actually swallowed. She has tasted a variety of fruit, vegs, cheese, toast/bread, rice cakes etc. I can occasionally get some puree in using a french bean or courgette while she is chewing but she usually screams if she cant do it herself . I feed her solids before her milk, but have to make sure she isnt too hungry.
Because she isnt getting much food she is waking at 5am every day which is v tiring for both of us.
Does anyone have any ideas, or have had similar problems??
Thanks

Have you tried giving her her own spoon while you try and feed her with another spoon? DS appeared to hate spoon but we now think what he actually hated was not being able to hold it.

I'ld just give her more finger food, and not bother with the purees at this stage. I wouldn't worry about a lot of it being wasted at this stage (or even in a year's time!!). I think wastage is pretty normal.

I would stick with the finger foods if thats what your lo wants. Perfectly ok not to spoon feed - my ds was weaned with finger foods only. His dexterity is amazing now (he's 18 months next week) & he eats everything with his hands and can even use a spoon on his own now as well. Solids at this early age are only meant to be tasters so only eating a bit is fine - your LO will get all the nutrients & calories she needs from her milk. First foods have very little calories in them that they wouldn't make the early waking any better, if anything they might make it worse by filling her up on 'empty' bulk. By feeding herself she will learn to stop when she is full & will regulate her own food intake. Plus its a lot less work for you!! She will get better at feeding herself & it is normal for babies not to eat very much at first, it just takes time for them to perfect the pincer grasp.

My LO doesn't mind the spoon but sometimes for speed, I add a bit of milk and let him drink it from a cup, like broth. He loves that.

Sticki, sounds just like my DD. Actually, she will take spoon feeding sometimes, if it is an Organix fruit pot, so it isn't quite so bad, but it does sound similar, even the 5am wake up call. Just when I'd started to get used to better sleep
Agree with others to continue with finger foods and let her use her spoon (could try different spoons also - I use a very soft one, labelled as for 4months). She will make a real mess but will learn so much! My DD will allow me to hold the spoon well away from her and will lunge forward with her hands, guiding it in herself. If very hungry, will lunge face foward with mouth wide open. Sorry if you've already tried this approach, ie to give her as much control as possible, but it works for me providing the right tastes are on the spoon

hunkers getting to them young now!

Thanks everyone. Really good to hear your similar stories, and get advice. I will persist with finger food.