8 Month Old Won't Eat

Is she teething? Sometimes my son won't eat because his gums are sore. So I'll give him a frozen mango in one of those mesh feeders and not even push the solids. Also, is she ready for finger foods? Most days now my son won't eat from a spoon because he thinks feeding himself is so much more fun.

My first thought is teeth. If she is drooling extra, chewing on everything (or pointedly NOT chewing on anything), extra cranky, not sleeping well, or has swollen gums, then chances are the solids just don't feel well on her sore gums and she's just choosing not to eat. You might try some Baby Ora-gel (spelling?) a short time before meals or a dose of Tylenol or Motrin 30 minutes or so before meals. Try cold foods - fruit or frozen french fries for her to chew on (these will require you watch her closely in case of choking, but might make her gums feel better while getting a small amount of food in her).
Good Luck.

dear B., this might be the problem- is she teething? babies can get very fussy and picky eaters when they are teething. i am haveing the same problem w/ my 15 month old and his dr. just said if he will eat one meal a day to make sure that it is a healthy meal and that the rest of his snacks throughout the day are wholesome and good for him.
hope it helps
C.

Could it be that she's teething?

When you say "solids" do you mean baby food or regular food? If its baby food then start giving her regular food. If you mean regular food then dont worry so much she will eat when she is hungry. Just sit her at the table when its meal time & put a few options in front of her e.g. for lunch macaroni, cheese, banana. Let her sit in front of it til she is completely done eating or playing in it. The only thing I suggest is not chasing her around with food because she needs to learn that she has to sit to eat.

B. - Oh my please do not be alarmed this is very normal for children at this age to not want more then one good meal a day. She is fine. She knows when she is hungry and when she is not. Usually from now until about two she will do this and everyday will be different. Most fo the time breakfast is the meal children eat the most of and then it will deminish from there. As long as she has a few good little snacks and one good meal a day she will be fine.

Hope this helps.
K.

She may just be getting too much formula/breastmilk. Check with your ped as to how much she is supposed to drink daily. At this point I think it's only supposed to be 16-24 ozs. If she drinks beyond that, she is probably too full to eat.

I know it's maddening, but try not to worry about it. She gets all her nutrients from her milk and solids right now are more "experiments" than nutrition. If she wants to take a break, let her. Keep offering solids, just don't force it. You'll only drive yourself nuts. She knows what she wants and needs. She'll never let herself starve. This happened to me and my son, except he wouldn't drink his formula, it made me crazy! I was going mental over it until someone told me what I told you. It's true, they know themselves better than mommy knows them (sad, but true). So take a breath and relax, go with the flow.