Should I perservere with weaning?

[stclair]

DD is 7 months in a few days and just not interested in food it seems. At about 5 months she was watching intently at us eating so I thought she would be thrilled about having some food herself but didn't start until she was nearly 6 months as had a cold/teething etc. I am wondering if she hasn't lost her tongue reflex yet as always pushes the spoon and food out, I don't know if she has swallowed anything yet. She seems to like the taste just doesn't know what to do with it. I've tried finger food too, ie sticks of banana/bread crust which just resulted in her gagging and bringing up her milk (several times). Admittedly I haven't tried every day but don't want to put her off the experience entirely. Please, what should I do??

I think you must persevere. It doesn't matter if it's not going down but is important that she gets in the habit of putting food in or near her mouth. She should probably be getting three "meals" a day, even if nothing's going in. Try lots of different tastes to see if you can excite her taste buds. If she continues refusing, you should probably speak with your HV.

Thanks Heavenly. Today she tried pear mixed with baby porridge and formula. Seemed to like the taste but after a couple of spoons mouth clamped shut.

Just keep going :) My DD spent the first few months of weaning playing with food rather than eating it. I used to sit her at the table when me and DP were eating our meals and give her little bits of finger food to try if she wanted. At about 8 months she started eating bits alongside us and the amounts gradually increased. Good luck and don't get stressed out by it - babies will pick up on tension! Just be relaxed and keep offering small bits of different foods.

And don't worry about her refusing baby porridge - my kids would never eat the stuff, mainly because it tastes revolting....

7 months is still early days. I wouldn't get too stressed about it and would just offer her bits every now and again. And you don't have to give three meals a day at this stage, you can work your way up to it. I think DD was about 9 months before she had three proper meals a day and that was also about the time that she started to get food. By 10 months, she was bloody packing it away!

Just remember that most of their calories should be from milk rather than food at this stage anyway.