Not eating solids at 9 months!

[dazzleboo]

I'd love to hear from anyone who had a baby who was slow to take to solid food. DS is just 9 months, EBF and just isn't interested in eating solid food.

I started offering him finger foods at 6 months and he usually loves playing with the food but it just doesn't occur to him to put it in his mouth!

It makes no difference if I eat the food with him, if he sits at the table, on my lap or on the floor.

I've tried spoon feeding him but he just won't have it- clamps his mouth shut, pushes the spoon away, turns his head away. Same if I try to hold finger foods up to his mouth.

He has sucked on 3 foods by himself for a few seconds but hasn't waned them again.

I've tried offering when he's hungry but then he's just grumpy and doesn't have the patience to even play with the food.

My health visitor isn't worried as he's gaining weight well and seems healthy and alert, but I can't help worrying that this isn't right, and other babies I know who are the same age are feeding themselves three meals a day.

Has anyone else experienced this? How did it turn out? What worked for you that I could try?

I'm really worried because this is my baby too and it's really stressing me out. He's formula fed and had a far start to weaning at 6 months, but the last two months he refuses most things. It seems too long of a period for it to be explained away by teething or a cold. @McBartlettmum @Abbiecom how did things turn out with your little ones?

I'm in the same boat with my nearly 10month old. I have spoken to the HV today for advice and they said to stop all solids for 2 weeks and then restart after that. That really doesn't sit right with me atm so for now I am going to relax at meal times and put a couple of bits in front of DS and if he doesn't eat them, then leave it and he can just BF. I feel I've done damage by starting weaning too early and by really pushing DS to eat when he hasn't wanted to (I feel awful about this) - I hope it's reversible :(

@pippabg how is it going for you now?

@pippabg hi! Wow feels like forever ago now. My little girl is 2 years 9 months, and shes still definitely fussy but things do get easier. I would recommend having a look on instagram at a couple of people if you have it.
@ childrensdietician (Lucy Upton) and @ feedeatspeak (Stacey Zimmels)

They have a lot of free content and also offer courses etc if you are really struggling.

@Bulkypeepants I really wouldn’t recommend cutting all solids from your little one. Take the pressure off and just keep offering variety of foods at meal times and try not to get stressed out if he doesn’t want them. You haven’t done any damage!
I know it’s easier said than done but maybe check out the online resources I mentioned as well.
Good luck

Hello there! I know your post is from 2017 but I have the same problem word for word as you described with my 9 months old daughter can you remember when your son started eating ?Would appreciate any advice

My boy is 14 months now. I related to this post too, but something just clicked when he was 11 months. He started stealing things off my plate and now eats most things, but still likes throwing things on the floor! My advice would be repetition (I know it gets very frustrating) - keep trying, and don't deprive them of things they like to get them to eat new things. If my boy refused savoury food, I'd still give him yoghurt and fruit purees for dessert. I'd let him try my food even though it might not be the healthiest for him. He gradually felt more curious about food and wanted to try and his nursery were also consistent in persisting with him.