K.B. asks from Simpsonville, SC on October 06, 2009
7 Mo Old Will Not Eat Baby Food
My 7 month old, formerly good eater is now refusing to eat baby food. We started him on food following the advice of our pediatrician at 4 1/2 months. In the beginning he was a great eater. There wasn't a food he didn't like. He would open his mouth properly and ate like a champion. About 4 weeks ago he got an ear infection. It has since cleared up. While he was sick he would not eat which I thougt was normal, however he has continued to only want bottles. He will eat fruits occasionaly and only after I force the first bite in his mouth. I have a call into his doctor but wanted to see if any of you all had a similar situation. Thanks in advance for your advice!
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C. answers from Atlanta on October 07, 2009
I use to put my baby's food in with her milk. I would add a fruit in with breakfast or cereal and maybe the same for lunch, then for dinner or later evenings I would use a veggie with her milk. Maybe he would eat it with the milk because he wouldn't actually know its there.I would maybe start trying to introduce him to some new foods like some mashed potatoes, oatmeal, pasta or maybe try some veggies that are soft like sweet potatoes, peas, and soft fruits like mango, bannana's.It is possible that he is still not fully well from the ear infection or that the medicine has left a nasty taste in his mouth.Hope this helps! Feel better baby!
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C.G. answers from Augusta on October 06, 2009
I would give it a little time. My ped recommended not feeding baby food and instead going straight to table food- baby food does not taste that good and is really not very nutritious. Maybe he would enjoy regular food more.
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M.H. answers from Atlanta on October 06, 2009
Hi K.,
You didn't say what kind of meds the doctor had him on for the ear infection. Some pharmaceuticals cause lack of appetite and because meds are primarily synthetic chemicals, they tend to linger longer in the system long after the reason for them is gone. My first suggestion to most would be to force fiber. In your case, that would probably just be consistent with the fruit you are giving him now and some rougher cereal like oatmeal, not rice.
I would visit my local health store and explain his age and the problem. Most clerks at good stores (pharmaceutical grade stores like vitaminshoppe, not vitamin world, GNC or a Walmart type place.)will have some suggestions and some stores have an N.D. on sight.
God bless,
M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk
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J.K. answers from Charleston on October 07, 2009
My daughter refused to eat anything mushy at about 9 months. Try some soft foods like small pieces of banana, lightly smashed peas or beans (black, cannelini, etc) shredded cheese, etc. It may just be time to move on from the processed baby foods. I'd still check with the doctor in case his ears are bothering him though.
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D.H. answers from Atlanta on October 06, 2009
If you are talking about the jar baby food at the stores, I'd go a different route with the veggies and see if he'll like these better. I always cook my own veggies and then puree them and put them in ice cube trays. They taste SO MUCH BETTER. Perhaps, this will entice him.
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C. answers from Atlanta on October 07, 2009
I use to put my baby's food in with her milk. I would add a fruit in with breakfast or cereal and maybe the same for lunch, then for dinner or later evenings I would use a veggie with her milk. Maybe he would eat it with the milk because he wouldn't actually know its there.I would maybe start trying to introduce him to some new foods like some mashed potatoes, oatmeal, pasta or maybe try some veggies that are soft like sweet potatoes, peas, and soft fruits like mango, bannana's.It is possible that he is still not fully well from the ear infection or that the medicine has left a nasty taste in his mouth.Hope this helps! Feel better baby!
1 mom found this helpful
M.V. answers from Atlanta on October 07, 2009
Maybe he wants to eat by himself?
My son stopped w/ the baby food around that age too. He also has an older brother who's the same age as your daughter and I think when he saw him eat, he wanted to do the same. I started him w/ the baby puffs, cherrios, bannanas, peas and finger food and still supplemented w/ the bottle. Let me know.
M.M. answers from Atlanta on October 07, 2009
I have a 9 month old and a three year old myself and am a stay at home mother. I had a very similar situation. My son had gotten very ill with allergy problems and developed bronchitis and ear infections. He wouldn't eat but took his bottle. The doctor wasnt overly concerned with him not eating. When he did start to eat again he was more interested in what I ate then what was in the jar. I now just give him food from my plate and gave up the baby food.
J.S. answers from Atlanta on October 07, 2009
HI K.,
If he was vaccinated just prior to the ear infection, you may be seeing some digestive immune issues surfacing. If that is the case, drop me a note, there are several things you can do to test it out, but somewhat long to write out. Let me know if the timeline fits and I would be happy to suggest some things. J
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