Starting to panic...help

[YourDaughterHasaTattoo]

nearly 7mo isn't interested in solid foods. She's never been keen on a spoon so we just try her with finger foods. She was nibbling on most things and some bits were coming through her nappy but not much. She seemed to prefer the rice cakes and "crisp" type things from the baby aisle to veggies etc though. She would take most of a petit filou from a spoon, but that was it really.
Last week or so she has been refusing everything. Steadfastly closes her mouth and turns her head. She was falling off her curve at the last weigh in so I'm a bit worried about her weight too. She is nursing just fine, 7/8 feeds in a 24hour period, lots of wet and dirty nappies.
I'm back at work on 23rd June. She is breastfed baby and refuses a bottle. I just don't know what to do to. I really am panicking about returning to work (not helped by the all consuming guilt I also feel about this). I'm so scared she is just going to cry all day at home without me here to feed her.

Any advice would be most welcome please!

I would say firstly try not to panic. Babies often seem to eat better in their childcare setting than they do at home. Also if it's a nursery/childminder they will be experienced at looking after children who are in the process of weaning. They'll have strategies to handle it etc.

Also, you are right at the start of the weaning process at 7 months. There will be lots of ups and downs along the way. As long as she's getting her bfeeds she'll be fine whilst you get over this particular bump in the road.

If she doesn't like to be spoonfed, you could just serve her what you are having and leave her to it. You eat yours alongside her to model it for her. Then try not to focus on what/how much she eats. Just clear away after a reasonable amount of time and move on.

I feel your pain - ds is 7.5 months and is only just starting to 'get it' after a decent start then a big decline. Probably not a textbook solution but I did a week of Ella's and kick started his interest again which worked a treat - think I focussed too hard on getting somewhere with the basics before moving on and he was bored of veg purees etc. He will now tuck into my spag bol and other stuff.

Not sure if that would apply to you/ help at all but it really helped me to stop being so purist about home- cooked food! He is also much happier - would also turn his head or blow raspberries onto the spoon which made food go everywhere - he now opens his mouth to be fed and happily tucks into his finger foods once he's done with puree.

It will definitely improve eventually, some babies take longer than others but I do totally understand your stress about it. Hope things pick up soon!

Agree with everything Brighton says.

If your dd prefers finger foods you don't have to buy special finger foods. Virtually anything can be finger food.

How often are you offering solids?

Thanks for the advice ladies. I'm offering food twice a day, lunch and dinner time. I offer pretty much whatever we're eating and she was doing ok with it all. Then she went off everything and only wanted the puff crisp things! However she had just cut her bottom two teeth (her first ones) so maybe that has been putting her off a bit? She ate best today for a good while; carrots, baby sweetcorn and even some purée bananas and strawberries from a spoon.
Had her weighed today too and she is still gaining ok.
I guess it'll just be ups and downs for a while. They do like to mix things up for us so we don't get too settled!
Still worrying about returning to work. She'll be at home with her dad for 2 days and 1 with my dad. I keep reminding myself they change a lot in a month and keep my fingers crossed

Try not to panic, I know its hard but I am in a very similar situation. My dd is 8.5 months and has only really started eating in the last fortnight. She refuses a spoon and a bottle and I go back to work 30th June. We have recently discovered that she likes strong flavour and pesto, curry, fajitas, garlic and strong cheese have been devoured! She goes crazy for garlic bread and cinnamon and raisin bagels. Also meat, she loves meat and roast potatoes. Just keep offering and suddenly she will get it. I'm still thinking there is a possibility I will be nipping home in my lunch break to bf but everyday she eats more I get more hopeful she will be ok. Good luck x