Hi all
Wondering if anyone can offer their experiences, any guidance or comfort!
My son is coming up 12 months. I started offering solids at probably around 8 months as he wasn't sitting up at 6 months and I was going with NHS guidance to wait until they are able to sit unsupported before weaning. So for the last 4 months I have been offering food, for the first month just baby food, purees mostly which he refused, he would look disgusted if I spoon-fed him any pureed food , regardless of the taste, and spit it out. Then I had a weaning visit from HV about a month later and she said to offer 3 meals a day, whatever we were eating as a family as baby led weaning so I have been doing that for 3 months now.
Some of the things I've tried are cereal or toast, yoghurt, fruit, sandwiches, cheese, egg, cucumber sticks, cooked veg sticks. He's been offered pasta and noodles with various sauces, rice, pizza.. chips, potatoes, fish fingers. I've also tried pure fruit purees, and some of those baby corn snacks.
Most of the time he just picks up the food, squeezes it with his hands and throws it straight onto the floor. I am picking up pieces of food and holding at eye level and he will take it off me but then just play with it and throw it. We are sitting together and eating as a family when possible and I've tried eating right in front of him with exaggerated chewing to encourage copying. Around a month ago he was feeding bits to me, and pretending to put a piece in his own mouth. The only way any food gets into his mouth is it he is spoon fed but again regardless of taste he just looks disgusted, gags and spits it out.
He also never put toys or objects into his mouth, we got him 3 different teethers but he isn't interested at all, although recently has started briefly putting toys into his mouth, mostly wooden objects.
I am exclusively breastfeeding and am beginning to feel the strain of being his only source of food and drink. I have tried feeding water using a bottle and a 360 cup but he pushes both away.
I am feeding around every 3 to 4 hours in the day and 2 to 3 times in the night. It doesn't seem to matter if he is hungry or not, he still doesn't try to eat.
I also have a 4 year old daughter who was ebf but she weaned with no problem.
I should also add that his weight is not an issue. He is a healthy weight, what I'm worried about is he is not progressing into solid food. He's also on vitamin supplements with iron.
He has been referred to dieticians and appointment is in a few weeks but wondering if anyone had any similar experiences. I am getting quite worried about the situation.