My six month old does not want to try food at all?

Question

My baby does not want to eat food. Any suggestions, or wait it out and eventually she will? Every time she sees the spoon she turns away and tries to slap it out of my hands. She only wants my boobs. I want to breastfeed the first year, but I also think she needs some solids in her diet.

Answer 1

Just keep trying. Put a little on her fingers or on her lips so that she tastes the foods. Pick out a food, like squash, that has a pretty good taste naturally since there are no salt or sugar additives to most or all processed baby foods in jars.

Answer 2

Babies do not need solids in their diet in order to be healthy. Your baby is getting everything she needs from you. Starting solids is more something for the mothers because they get bored of just giving the baby a bottle. I would wait until your baby is ready before pushing solids. Babies are very smart and she will know when she is ready. My advice would be to leave her alone and try every week or so until she is ready. But don't get upset if she doesn't want it, try it and if she doesn't want it fine, it is nothing that you are doing wrong, she is just not ready for it,

Answer 3

I just started cereal for my 6 month old. I mixed one T of rice cereal and she took it like a champ-totally ready for the spoon and practically wants to feed herself. The funny thing is that she looses interest very quickly and if she eats a quarter of the mix I'd be surprised. The doc said to just keep it up every day and they'll eventually get more interested. It's always at their own pace. Just keep offering, she'll take to it soon. I follow it up with boob ;-)

Answer 4

Your baby will grab for the spoon even when they are ready. The real question is:

does she spit out the food when you put it in her mouth (push out her tongue)

If yes, she is not ready. If no.. you just need more practice. She might want to self- feed. I would try some cheerios (the regular.. NOT honey nut!!) or some gerber first food puffs (we did the puffs at 6mo, cheerios by 7mo)

You should also look into getting one of those baby mesh bag feeders. She can hold it and suck fruits/veggies through the mesh.

Answer 5

i'm still nursing my 15 month old. i gave him his 1st rice cereal mixed w/ milk at 6 months... it's hard to get them to eat. u should try after she's nursed but still awake, at a tyime when she is not starving and willing to try some thing new. in the beginning they eat very little, only make a tablespoon or two the 1st month of trying and u b lucky if they finish that! aftre that trial period u can introduce finely pureed potatoe, or carrots, wich are tastier and she's more likely to eat. it's a long process. my baby was nurished mostly from my milk till 10 or 11 months old! now i just nurse him to sleep...gotta figure that one out. but listen to your baby, don't get frustrated, and never put the cereal in a bottle! and don't give a 6 month old finger foods yet! she needs to figure out cereal and purees 1st, then she can slowly learn to mash up food, around 8 months. dont get the mesh net, food doesnt need to be sucked thru mesh, she can learn gradually, and no cheerios if shes only had breastmilk!

Answer 6

some babies are not ready to eat solids at six months no matter what the "experts say....My eldest is 10 in January my youngest was 3 December I have a 6 year old in between all three breastfed...the elder did not want anything but the breast for nine months....the middle wanted to eat solids at 5 months and the younger was curious at 7 months every child is unique and weans at their own pace....enjoy your year breastfeeding....I know your baby is...She will let you know when she's ready to try food...maybe you could put some food and the spoon on her high chair and let her explore herself a little ....i know my girls loved to cover their faces as they sat with us at mealtimes....

Answer 7

i have a 6 month old as well, and the first week or 2 she did not want solids. its a new texture to them, and takes a little getting used to. i know she doesn't like the cereal, so i started putting apple sauce or the baby pears in with it, and she finally started opening her mouth for it. it takes a little time, but just keep trying a little every day...good luck

Answer 8

Just keep trying and trying or she will become more and more attached to your boob. Eventually after trying like 10 times she will try it. Wait til she hasn't breastfed for like 2 hours and she is pretty hungry then feed her with food.

Answer 9

Try finger foods, instead of the spoon. Kids usually want to eat what you are eating.

Answer 10

Obviously you should check with your pediatrician. I'd suggest that you work with her and when she is ready, she will move onto solids.