DS hates everything

[suzi2]

DS is 27 and a bit weeks. I first offered him some carrot sticks and rice cakes at 24wks. He had a shot at chewing and swallowing them but wasn't too interested. Since then, he has taken every offering (carrot batons, banana, rice cakes), mouthed it once, looked at me in disgust and point blank refused to try again.

I've also tried various purees (sweet potato, carrot, apple, pear). Again, he takes one taste, says "bleurghghgh" and then refuses to open his mouth and crys. I'm trying not to get anxious about it - hes still breastfed so is getting his nutrients that way. I'm just a bit fed up that my offerings are being refused!

He's sitting on his own with no support for several minutes at a time, has no tongue thrust, can grip and manouvere small objects so it would seem he is ready in that sense. He has been sleeping badly, is unsettled and is obviously teething badly. He also has a bit of a cold (but that is only the last few days). Any ideas of what to do/offer him?

My DD had a similar reaction to these things at this age. If you are not avoiding dairy produce, how about some crumbly cheese? DD loves cheese. I started her on grated cheese reformed (by me) into little torpedos, so they fall apart in the mouth, but soon progressed to chunks/slices. Worth a try? Otherwise, sounds like you're doing great, keep going, though it is disheartening I know!

Also, at 27wks can you add spices and herbs? DD seems to respond better to these, but I didn't add them until 7m at a guess. Eg cinnamon and apple?

Tbh, I would just leave it for a few days. If he's teething, eating solids won't be comfortable, and you are right that bfing is enough for him at this age.

It took ds a few weeks past 26 weeks to have more than the tiniest amount of solids, and he refused quite a lot. He didn't really eat a significant amount until nearer 8mo. Nowt wrong with his appetite now though .

Hi suzi2 My ds is now 10 months old and I had heaps of problems with getting him to eat new things or anything at all. Started him on ricecereal which he quite likes and yoghurt and pureed fruit. Right up until a month ago that was all he would eat. I was getting fed up with cooking vegies only to have them thrown back at me or all over the room. Tried fingerfood vegies wouldnt be in it. Finally gave up tearing my hair out and let him eat what he likes. Now that I have relaxed he is sharing dinners with us and trying new things- still doesnt like mashed or pureed vegies but will try it off my plate. I wouldnt worry, its all about taste and textures and experimenting at this age until about 1. Some babies take to it early, some dont. Do you mix the food with breastmilk? Some times this helps.

Thanks everyone. I have had a little success the last 2 days by offering him ricecakes dunked in various fruit purees. Everytime he puts the ricecake down, I re-dunk it.

The catch though... I have to be eating at the same time and make lots of chewing actions and MMMmmmmm noises! He's even started putting them in my mouth too... eeeuuurghghgh - soggy wet drooly rice cakes!