My 6mth old reduses to open his mouth!

[pinkeyponkey]

Help! I've been attempting to wean my son since he was 5mths (at health vistor's advice). At first he would spit and splutter it all out but now he just refuses to open his mouth when I come anywhere near him with a spoon or my finger with food on. But he'll happily chew on an empty spoon. I don't quite know what to do as I can't progress up the food chart as I can't actually get him to eat anything! I did have a bit of a breakthrough today when he had water for the first time from a doidy cup and then happily took his puree from his pot as if he was drinking it but really I need to get him to take it from the spoon. I've tried making funny noises etc and if I can get it past him he'll eat it but it's a continous struggle.

Does anyone have any ideas as I'm beginning to get really frustrated!

I'm having the same problem! My first little boy was text book this is such a shock I don't know what to do for the best. Anybody any ideas??

I probably not much help as I'm having weaning problems too (not same problem as you) hopefully more experienced mners will come along with their words of wisdom. all I can think of is have you tried finger foods? as your son is 6 months he can have some baby rice cakes or biscotti or soft toast (there are loads of threads on finger foods) maybe he would like to try to feed himself. sorry if you've already tried this.
good luck

don't force it. the more you try and make him do it the less he will want it.
do things at his pace... he is still getting the majority of his nutrition from milk so don't worry about what he is (or isn't!) eating at the moment.

i agree with me23 about finger foods though. how is he if you give him toast or cooked vegetables?

I agree about finger foods. Look up baby led weaning threads for inspiration and a different approach. My ds was fussy on and off and I found that taking the pressure off and having a break for a day or so helped. Also had to try very hard not to become emotional about whether he ate or not because he picks up on this. He is 9 months now and much better about quantity and variety

Having same trouble - he's nearly seven months and just isn't interested in swallowing food. Will happily sit in highchair and munch on his spoon or bowl but refuses to eat. Think mainly because his teeth are bothering him.
Am interested in this finger food idea but won't he choke on it if he hasn't got used to swallowing?

Ds is nearly 7 months old and does the same thing on and off - just shuts his mouth and won't take anything. I give him the spoon to try and feed himself, and although nothing really goes in, once he's had a little taste and decides he likes it, he'll somtimes eat a few spoonfuls from me. Then I just offer lots of different finger food (cubes of cheese, toast, rice cakes, steamed veggies, fruit etc). It is so frustrating though, isn't it, when you've spents hours cooking up Annabelle Karmel recipes and it all just ends up in the bin!

Hello - I have a 11 month old boy who is extremely fussy when it comes to food. I dread mealtimes as he will not let me feed him and he cant use a spoon. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do. Any ideas for finger foods for breakfast/lunch and dinner?

Help help help!!

Thank you :)

Hi my DD is 7 months and she sometimes allows me to spoon feed her but not every day, but I dont really see this as an issue as she has been having finger foods since she was 6 months old and she loves it!

It is very messy and I am not convinced that she actually gets that much 'down her' but she is learning new skills and tastes.

She eats everything that we eat. Toast or cereal for breakie. Cheese, ham, breadsticks, savoury pancakes, loads fruit for lunch and then wot ever we eat in the evening-but as finger foods, so sticks of veg, pasta etc. I just dont cook with salt now, apart from that I dont have to do anything special. Stick her in the highchair with some foods on her tray and let her do the rest.

I am no expert as this is my first child but I really think fingers foods are the way forward if you are having problems with spoon feeding.

Good luck x

I think Aviatrix had the best idea - relax, relax, relax - at this point your baby wil pick up on any anxiety from you and that will make things worse.
Maybe give baby his own spoon to play with and then when he is distracted he will open his mouth without even realising he is eating - giving you a chance to slip in a mouthful of something. I found with DS that anything distracting works- a spoon to bang on his high chair, a piece of paper to tear up or a plastic lego to fling around.

Also Pinkeyponkey, maybe just pack the whole waning thing in for a week or so and then try again later.

How refreshing to hear EVERYONE has some trouble or other with the little people at 7 months refusing to open their mouths! I was quite worried thinking my 7 m old was going down with something, but quickly concluded he'll eat soon enough when he's hungry. I find that he eats best when I eat too and make feeding less of an issue for him and more of a family thing. He always wants what I'm having. Finger food works a treat.

Finger foods! My DS is/was much the same. The more I offered spoon food the more upset both of us became. When I relaxed a bit, took the food away if he wasn't interested and offered finger foods, he became more tolerant of the spoon! I try to give him finger foods as often as possible. And if I do spoon feed, I take it away if he refuses to open his mouth. I sometimes touch a little food on his lips first for him to taste as well which helps.

Age wise, your DS is still young and may not be that interested in food yet. I've heard that some babies aren't interested in food until well into their 8th or 9th month.