How persistent do I need to be?

[flumpkin]

I've read other threads where people have said that their DC have taken up to 10 months, even a year to show an interest in food but my question is (since it looks like I've got one of those!) is how often should I be pestering him with food in the first place? My DS is now 7.5 months and have been trying to wean since he reached 6 months. We've tried absolutely everything, rice, semolina, porridge, yoghurt, fruit, veg etc... I've even tried the BLW route but not much success there either - he just lobs it on the floor and it doesn't even approach his mouth!
Originally I started with one attempt per day but now have upped it to two or three, but the thing is it's such a struggle I dread mealtimes and have to really force myself to keep doing it in the hope he'll suddenly turn around and enjoy it for once. It's making weaning a misery! Am so of mums who tell me their DC love their food.

I would just sit him up in highchair with you at every mealtime, and just offer him a bit of what you're eating, BLW style. Don't worry at this age.

As long as he's having as much milk as he wants, it's nothing to worry about.

If you want to give BLW a go, it's important to try not to worry about how much goes in. Difficult I know, but them taking it at their own pace is a big part of it being baby-led.

I think of it as being about learning to eat, rather than getting nutrition in, as that is what the milk is for.
He doesn't really need to learn to be spoon-fed, so it's not a worry if he won't iyswim.

Put a clean tablecloth on the floor under his chair and just pick up what he drops/throws and let him have another go.
He'll get there.

Thank you both - It's so hard not to worry though! Especially when you can see the looks on other mums' faces thinking "what? he's still not eating yet?" as so many people still start so early...
This is probably another debate, but do you think follow-on milk has a place for fussy eating babies? I am still bf my DS, supplemented with normal formula but will need to wean completely off boob as going back to work soon.
I've heard follow-on can cause constipation, but am also worried he's not getting enough iron and other nutrients.

Can't you help you there. Perhaps ask on Breast/bottle-feeding board?

Good idea, thank you WME.

Flump - follow on milk is not much different to first formula. The differentiation is mainly used for advertising purposes as it is illegal to advertise formula for babies < 6 months.
Do you want to stop bfing when you go back to work? You certainly don't have to if you prefer to carry on. I fed morning, after work and bedtime and boobs just adjusted to new feeding schedule.

Hi Jack - does that work ok for you, doing it 3 times a day? Do your boobs feel really full by the time you get home? I guess they adjust whatever the schedule? I am considering keeping going but not sure if my hours will be compatible - my work is likely to involve unpredictable overtime so that worries me, and I can't imagine pumping at the office - but I know some women do do that! My employers are not very baby-friendly though.

Flump - i think follow on milk is a marketing thing, mostly. I BF my 9mo dd just twice a day now too - morning and night, boobs get used to change at this age. just drop the feeds you dont want slowly, say every 3 days. it wasnt uncomfy for me.

They did only for a couple of days Flump but they are amazingly adjustable and I did have a hand pump in case. I have pumped in toilets, parked in the car and on a plane. If they are feeling uncomfortably full you can sometimes hand express a bit.
Also once dd was past a year I could go away for work for 2-3 days and still continue feeding when I got back. I don't work set hours & was impressed with how my body adjusted>
Well done for doing 7.5 months already too your bm is so good he is not fussed about solids! Don't worry - he will let you know what he wants and when by taking it off your plate when you least expect it!

flumpkin - my baby is 6 and half months and is in no way interested in food either. He does not open his mouth at all for any pureed stuff, but does try to put anything he can hold in his mouth (brocoli, bread, carrots etc). He chews a bit but spits it all out again and nothing is actually getting swallowed. I think that we are going to have to do the blw thing just because he wants to ,not me!

Would be v. interested to hear how your LO gets on as I agree that it is v hard not getting stressed when they don't seem to be eating anything at all.....

Good luck.

does he have lots of different sized and textured toys to play with? I find that them playing with this sort of stuff prepares them brilliantly for handling food.

Thankyouandgoodnight - I don't think grabbing is the problem, he's always been an expert at that (i.e. my boobs ). He's quite good at chucking stuff on the floor too. Am about to try some boiled carrot sticks, wish me luck...