6 Month Old Who Moans When Eating Solid Food

Dear M.,

It sounds like she might have a sensitivity/intolerance to something you're feeding her. This could be resulting in a gas buildup in her stomach, which would cause discomfort -- and moaning. Some babies even overeat when they have gas b/c the feeling of warm food in the tummy temporarily relieves the symptoms.

I recommend checking with your pediatrician and seeing if you can get a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Cows milk is the most likely trigger of gas pains for babies, but nuts, soy, eggs, and wheat can do it as well.

These kinds of sensitivities/intolerances usually aren't serious, and chances are very good she'll outgrow them, but you do want to figure out what's setting it off. Alternative practitioners, like chiropractors, also have techniques for determining the source of this kind of problem.

Hope that helps!

Mira

M.,

My daughter has done this from the moment we introduced solid food and she is now 14 months old. I agree that it is a way of expressing themselves. I would not be concerned. Is she showing any other signs of distress i.e. gagging? That would be more of an indicator that there is something physically wrong. I know it may seem odd, but in my circle it seems pretty normal.

My son made lots of noises while eating at that age. My husband and I also made yum yum noises while feeding him and while eating ourselves to encourage him that food is good. I wondered if it was his way of imitating us. Now at 15 months, he still makes noises but are much closer to 'yum' or 'mmmm good'. I think I was right and he was trying to imitate us! As your daughter gets older you will be amazed at how much she is paying attention to everything you do, especially at the table. They are such little mimics. I would mention it to your doctor at your next well visit just in case so you will feel at ease and can enjoy feeding time whole heartedly.

My daughter, also six months, started the moaning while she nurses. I was so worried that she was hurt in some way. She does the moaning while she is eating solids as well, but not every time. She is becoming more vocal these days and it is a normal development per our pediatrician.

I only nurse her once a day and she moans the whole time. It is just her expressing herself I guess. Now that I know she is ok it is actually quite funny. It cracks my husband up every time she does it.

Your daughter may not be ready for solid food yet. You might want to consider checking out "baby led introduction to solids". Allow your daughter to take the lead and let her choose what and how much she wants to eat.

I think she's just expressing her likes and dislikes! Simple as that. Brendan would make all kinds of faces and noises while feeding him- I found it very cute! Relax and enjoy mealtime.
L.

I have a grown son that used to do the same thing. I don't think he realized that he did this.

I realize she is only 6 months old but you might try communicating with her for example when you give her something special like dessert say: "m m m m m m good", or say "delicious" and you might get her more interested in talking and she will forget to make the noises.

D.

Hi M.! I've never experieced that but maybe you should take her to the doctor it might be a throat issue. Because if she still eats then she must like it. Try testing her yourself giving her something that you know for sure she does not like and then giving her what she normally eats or you think she likes. Then again it might just be normal. To double check tho taking her to the doc might be the way to go and actually demostrating it so that he understands. Hope I was of some help take care!

My daughter did this as an infant, and still continues to do it (she is 20 months old). She does it when she really likes what she is eating. I think it is cute. She is expressing herself!

Hi M.,

My son does the same thing (he'll be 7mos old next week). He moans, whines, etc the whole time he eats but scarfs down his food. my mom calls it "singing for his supper". apparently it is very common and several of my siblings did the ssame thing. i am also trying to figure out when he is done and when he is whining b/c he wants more or to get down... but i have noticed he is starting to change his cry when he is done. sorry i can't be of more help, but just know your little one is not the only one making so many noises at meal time!

Hi M.,

My now 10 year old daughter made humming noises when she was eating from about 9 months until she was about 4!!! It was just a habit, she wasn't even aware of it until she was older. People would ask me "does she always make that noise??" and quite frankly, we stopped noticing it. She finally stopped when she was old enough to realize nobody else did that and now doesn't even remember it. Point is, kids do all kinds of quirky things, but they usually grow out of them. So, in other words, don't worry! :)