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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

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Original poster

REFUSAL OF SOLIDS....HELP!!!

15 replies

gillythekid · 23/02/2009 18:30

My 7 month old DS has suddenly decided he doesn't want solid food and only wants breast milk. He has been feeding so well for a month and now screams, clamps his mouth shut and shakes his head. I don't get stressed or force him but try again after a minute or two, but still the same. He has had a cold and a bit of a cough lately. What on earth is this all about and does anyone know how I get my good little eater back on track?

OP posts:

Habbibu · 23/02/2009 18:34

Cold, cough, teething can all put them off completely. Give him plenty of milk, and offer food as usual, but in a very relaxed oh, ok, it doesn't matter kind of way. He's very wee - he'll come to no harm on just milk for a while.

Original poster

gillythekid · 23/02/2009 18:38

Ahh yes, the teething! He's been drooling and biting for 4 months but still no sign. Thanks Habbibu, I had no idea these things would put him off, it's a relief to know it's all part of the process and not the shape of things to come, I can't breast feed him to adulthood.

OP posts:

Habbibu · 23/02/2009 19:37

Oh, all part of the process for sure. There'll be several of these patches, no doubt. And sometimes they eat you out of house and home, and sometimes hardly touch anything - growth spurts still happen. I've learned to trust dd's idea of how much she needs to eat, and she's been proved right so far.

MrsJamin · 24/02/2009 06:21

What's he like with finger food? Does he want to feed himself?

chandellina · 24/02/2009 15:54

i've got the same thing with my 7 month old. he had just started to really enjoy his food and then suddenly went off it last week. i think he either had a bit of a tummy bug or the pureed beans were a really bad idea. (he has had lots of painful wind since then.)

i'm just taking it slow, offering him stuff he likes (pureed apple and yogurt), as well as a bit of finger food that he seems slightly interested in.

he's gone off his 1 bottle a day too - but still loves his mummy's milk.

Original poster

gillythekid · 24/02/2009 18:09

Mummy milk is always in vogue eh? I haven't offered him finger food yet as his veg is still quite mushy and he seems to gag on lumps. Is there a good food to start with that he won't choke on?!!

OP posts:

Habbibu · 24/02/2009 19:00

try steamed broccoli, pancakes, very ripe pear - Aitch's blog has loads of good ideas. You may find he gags less on finger food than lumps - the texture is less of a surprise, iyswim?

MrsJamin · 24/02/2009 19:02

roasted veg sticks (with olive oil and rosemary) were a hit from the beginning- you may be surprised that he might handle finger food and lumpy purees differently. toast, also is a brilliant first finger food.

Original poster

gillythekid · 24/02/2009 20:36

Just read the BLW stuff on Aitch's blog, I had no idea about any of this and wonder if DS is more suited to it as he tries to wrench the spoon out of my hand every time. I shall do some broccoli tomorrow and see how he goes. He did actually eat all his sweet potato tonight but may have preferred to feed himself, I remain open minded about it all.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

OP posts:

MrsJamin · 25/02/2009 09:54

Cool, broccoli is a great first finger food too. I did BLW from the start with my DS and we had a great time. Not much gets eaten in the early days but it's all part of the learning process. Let us know how you get on!

Original poster

gillythekid · 26/02/2009 15:13

Oh dear, he choked, coughed, gagged and barfed! He slept badly too cos he was hungry. Do I just persevere or offer some mush as well as the finger foods?

OP posts:

Habbibu · 26/02/2009 15:23

Did he choke (silent, difficulty breathing, etc) or just gag badly? It's important to know the difference - gagging is a normal, if disconcerting part of learning to eat - choking is something that requires intervention.

Gagging and vomiting happens a bit right when they're getting used to finger foods - they learn to handle their gag reflex pretty quickly as a rule. If you're sure he's just gagging, try to appear relaxed, and if he vomits be all cheery and unfussed, and if you can, offer a little more food cheerfully - get back on the bike approach, iyswim. Give him a bit more milk if you think he's likely to be hungry.

DD did a massive projectile vomit when I first tried her on banana. It was Very Messy. But she didn't gag much at all after that, and has never choked so far (touch wood) - she's 28 mo.

Original poster

gillythekid · 26/02/2009 20:16

Ooops, I was being a bit flippant there! Just lots of gagging and he got quite distressed but we remained calm. Will persevere but I think his gums are really sore and he's just not too interested in solids at the moment. Thanks for all the advice though, invaluable as usual.

OP posts:

MrsJamin · 26/02/2009 20:47

Yes, habbibu is right, that sounds like v normal gagging. DS did this to the point of vomiting a few times in the first few weeks so it's very normal. I remember he'd pick something else up quite soon after- they don't seem as sad about vomitting until they are older I think. Try some different foods, and be positive and unfussed, as habbibu says. As long as you offer milk before and after food it shouldn't affect how hungry they are when they go to bed.

Habbibu · 26/02/2009 21:13

My niece liked chewing on long chunks of cucumber for sore gums - keep in a tub in the fridge. He'll get back to it.

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