9 month old suddenly refusing foods

[Llaurenscherer]

My little boy is 9 months old. We started weaning at 6 months and although not the best eater he loved fruit/veg and trying different things. He always picked things up himself and tried them and was happy to explore foods.

this last week he has completely started to refuse any foods expect yoghurt and a small amount of fruit. He has been unwell for a week with a viral cold (however he is ok now and seems himself) I am also unsure wether he is cutting some teeth. However it’s been a week and no improvement with trialing foods. Yet happy to eat puddings/yogurts and some crispies and fruit. Meals are a NO GO 😭

does anyone have any advise or experienced something simlar? Could this just be the teething and illness still settling, or is he just having me on since he’s willing to eat other things?🤣

thanks x

Could just be because he isn't feeling great. They're fussy buggers 😂. Try not to make it a big thing, the more you try to force it, the harder they dig their heels in. Have you tried giving a selection of and just letting him pick or just eating off your plate? He's only 9 months so most nutrition is still from milk, I wouldn't be too concerned. Just try keep relaxed so it doesn't become a 'thing'.

Thank you, it’s nice just to have some reassurance as I’ve felt pretty deflated with it this last week.

I definitely think he’s still feeling under the weather but the fact he’s eating “yummy” things threw me off haha.
I will keep persevering and see how we get on and will try a picky plate xxx

I agree, just keep offering different foods. I wouldn't offer an alternative though if he doesn't eat. If you start doing that he will always hold out for the things he knows he likes

Just offer food and if he doesn't eat, clear away when you've finished eating.

If you think its because of a cold or teething, try him with a dose of calpol about an hour before lunch.

If he's been ill, I honestly wouldn't worry. My LB immediately went off all food as soon as he got poorly (it ended up being a warning sign to us that he was about to come down with something). The hunger strike also went on for a bit after he was "better", and his appetite built back up really slowly.

I was also worried about this when he was little, but after plenty of reading, I realised its totally normal and not to force it. Babies of this age are really good at regulating their appetite, and if they don't want food, they are listening to their bodies cues. While fighting off an illness, their little bodies can't deal with digesting food too - and if they are forced to eat it can actually end up turning into diarrhoea. Have a look at Charlotte Stirling Reeds Instagram, she's fab at explaining what's normal and what's not with little ones nutrition and diet.