Ho to keep my 8 monthold interested in being spoon fed?

Question

I feed my baby formula with a spoon as she just will not take the bottle, I am o k with that and she is less frustrated. Lately I have noticed that I have to do the wierdest things to keep her entertained and interested in wanting to eat and basically open her mouth. She doesn not open her mouth willingly I have to keep tapping her on her cheek for her to open her mouth. SHe gets bored and wants to jump out of her chair or she is hit my hand and throw the food. She is an avg size baby and has been a fussy eater from day one
She eats 3 sold meals and has formula three times a day. Every feeding is ecoming cumbersome as I am running out of ideas
I put her in front of the tv and show her baby einstien dvd's she's bored
Please help

Answer 1

will she use a sipppy cup? Try Avent brans, they have soft spouts and easy suck valves.

Answer 2

I do this with my 6 1/2 month old : She sits in my lap before a mirror when I have to spoon feed her meals and I too have my drink at the same time. We talk and a enact chewing-
Don't force her to eat. But yes I am also breast feeding my girl.

Answer 3

Have you tried to give her the formula from a sippy-cup or even a regular cup? My daughter (also 8 months) LOVES her sippy-cup and to drink out of my glass for water. She is breast fed, so i don't have th eformula problem, but feedings with rice cereal and fruits/veggies can be difficult sometimes.
If this is no help- post your question on this site for a dietician...

http://www.vhihealthe.com/experts/diet/diet_children.jsp

Answer 4

Put the milk in a sippy cup. try different brands to find one she wants. she should also be eating finger foods at this age. maybe that will help

Answer 5

your baby will let you know when she dont want any more remember she is still learning and babies go through the same stage you have to feed her when it is quite and no disstractions or when you are very tired, stressed the babies know and sense it. keep trying.