Baby Won't Eat ANY Meat Product!

Hi--
This isn't unusual at all. In fact, I'm a little shocked that you are trying this on her at only 8 months old.
Babies don't need nearly as much protein as adults, and pretty much all of her nutrition should still be coming from formula or breast milk at this point in her development. Solid food is really just practice before the age of one. She can't eat enough solids to get all the nutrition her body needs because her stomach is so small--that is why her nutrition should be coming in liquid form still. Also, she doesn't have the teeth to chew meat yet, which is developmentally a way you can know when a child's body is ready for meat.

It's likely that she will eat meat as she gets older and actually needs the nutrition from solid foods. I wouldn't worry just yet. My children didn't start eating meat until well into their first year.
Oh, and yes she can eat tofu, but I wouldn't give her very much. Soy products have something called phyto-estrogens (chemicals that mimic the hormone estrogen in the body). Too much soy can really mess up the hormones of a young child. Phyto-estrogens are one of the reasons that so many girls are going through puberty so early these days. They are also found in parabens (a type of preservative) and in BPA (bisephonol-A--the stuff in plastic that everyone is worried about--this is why they are worried about it).
J.

3 moms found this helpful

My son REFUSED to eat the baby meats and really I didn't push it because I would never eat that stuff myself..... yuck!! It is not necessary for infants to eat meat, as they are getting thier main nutrition from breast milk or formula. 8 months is still very young and having solids is really just for practice at this point. Just enjoy your little one don't worry about her eating solids she has the rest of her life to eat!! Enjoy your baby!!

I just read some other posts regarding eggs and peanut butter- I think they recomend waiting until thier one for allergy reasons.

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My daughter pretty much refused all meats as a baby too. (who can blame them? Those baby food meats are GROSS).

Anyway, you would never know it now. She LOVES meat. Pretty much any meat except seafood/fish. She will eat ground beef in meatloaf, spaghetti, hamburgers, homemade meatballs, etc. She eats chicken fried steak, swiss steak and actual cuts of steak (sirloin or ribeye or whatever). She eats beef hotdogs, roast, ribs, chicken any way you can prepare it (fried, baked, grilled, rotisserie), pork chops, bacon, sausage (links or grilled and sliced), ham steak, deli ham, turkey, ....

Her hang up now (she is 9 years) is sauces and side dishes. She doesn't even eat ketchup. Her burgers are plain (Meat, cheese and bread, lol). Anything with a sauce on it she doesn't want. And she prefers fresh veggies and not many starches except for bread. no mashed potatoes, no baked potatoes, no mac n cheese. But she will eat green beans, broccoli, fresh red bell pepper, cucumbers, carrots, celery, black olives... Mostly uncooked... except for the beans and broccoli she likes steamed.

It'll be fine mom.

Who knows.. maybe there is just something about the baby food variety.

2 moms found this helpful

my 21 y.o daughter was like this and still doesnt eat meat. She liked soy and tofu products, and there is a huge variety available, and they are tasty! My liitle one (10 m.o.) also didnt like meat but only baby food meats, she eats minced or tiny cubed chicken and pork, but only with a drop of gravy. If all else fails, look into vegan/ vegetarian cooking, its not hard to incorporate. As a family we didnt eat meat for a few years, after reading a book about the truths behind meat, the treatment of animals, fear, medications and chemicals, how its cured etc, I couldnt eat it. But you can eat most of what you regularly eat, just substituting soy in place of meat or even quinoa. easiet to make when starting out are shephards pie and chili or tacos, look for yves veggie ground round, its awesome.

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Even though I eat meat I was grossed out by the whole concept of baby food meat so I did not give her meat until she was older. When she was a little over a year old we gave her Trader Joe's chicken sausage (Bilinski's is similar--available at conventional food stores) cut up very small so she wouldn't choke and she loved it.

If your daughter is on a soy-based formula or soy milk you might not want to give a lot of tofu, because issues come when there is excessive soy.

Sunflower seed butter is a great allergen-free way to give lots of protein and good fats to build up that little brain. I have so many other good high-protein non-meat, non-dairy (my daughter can't tolerate milk, either) products that we use that I would be happy to share with you if you want to message me.

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I was the same way as a baby (Not the gag part though). As an adult I am a vegetarian (not a vegan). My family was and is a meat eating family so I wasn't raised by vegetarians. Growing up my Mom would make me try everything but I never liked the taste. Your baby might like tofu as my daughter did. She will be fine especially since she likes all fruits and veggies, she will just need to get her daily protein in different ways-lentils, chickpeas, beans and browns rice, quinoa, peanut butter, etc.

1 mom found this helpful

We found that our boys had issues with the texture of meat. It was hard for them to chew, hard for them to swallow. They both preferred what we refer to in our house as "salty meat"--basically, processed meat. They would do hot dogs (cut up appropriately), summer sausage...but chicken, roasts, pork chops...any of that was not gonna fly. It took a couple years. My kids also had issue with lettuces.

I would suggest that you keep trying meats--see what all she'll try; they do say it takes what, 7? 11? tries of a food before a kid might like it--but also look for alternatives. Will she do beans? My babies loved beans (now as preschoolers, they won't touch them, but that's just them being picky). If you haven't tried processed meats, it's perhaps worth a shot; the texture is different than cuts of meat. Oh--I just read what you wrote again...I don't know whether you're saying baby food meats, like the ones in jars, or just that you're obviously not handing her a steak. We gave our boys what we were eating most of the time, within reason. To me, baby food meats just look gross--perhaps she would like "real" meat better? Cut up small, pureed, however she is used to eating?

1 mom found this helpful

My son used to eat pureed chicken when he was 6 months up until he was 18 months, then all of the sudden, he stopped. He refuses to eat red meat or fish and only eats chicken in the form of a nugget. To make up for the iron, I give him polyvisol with iron from enfamil (as recommended by our pediatrician), and for a boost of protein, we give him eggs. He LOVES eggs. Eggs are full of protein, and he gobbles them up. He also loves cheese and I give him lots of nuts. Peanut butter is his favorite.

1 mom found this helpful

Sure, give her tofu! She can also get protein from beans, lentils, eggs and peanut butter when she's older. Keep offering the meat though, one day she'll decide to try it and like it.

Baby meats would make me gag too, the texture is really awful and nasty.... I'm guessing she has an aversion to the texture.

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Babies up to one year get all their primary nutrition from breastmilk or formula. Don't sweat it. The food she's eating now is extra calories and practice with textures and flavors. Put the meat away, try again in a few months. It's very possible that she's not prepared for/interested in the texture of it right now. Both my boys struggled with meats and the woodier vegetables (like green beans) until they got all of their 2-year molars. It's fantastic that she's so eager to eat fruits and veggies, do everything you can to encourage her positive eating habits!

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Well, I would start using chicken broth to make her rice cereal and see if that worked out at all...

1 mom found this helpful

I personally didn't have a problem with this since my son is basically a human hoover when it comes to food but I heard that a LOT of babies don't like the taste of meat. If you've only tried commerical baby meats you can get a food processor and grind up real adult cuts of meat and see if that makes a difference (doing that tastes a lot better than the pureed meat you buy in stores). If it's still a no-go, I wouldn't stress about it. Just be sure to give your baby other forms of protein like tofu and beans. A lot of babies love tofu so even if you don't, try giving her some. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

My son would not eat any meat, if I tried to give it to him he would just spit it out - He is now 12 and only a few years ago he started eating white meat chicken, but will not eat any other meat. I think he is the only kid that never had a hamburger or hot dog! So, my son eats veggies and fruit and thankfully he doesn't have a problem with dairy, so he gets his protein from milk and cheese.

1 mom found this helpful

My son is 9 months and is the same way. My doctor said not to worry and that meat simply isn't required - there are plenty of other healthy options. He said that my son most likely will eventually develop a taste for meat but after his reassurance I'm just really not worried about it anymore. Of all the things my son could be - I think a vegetarian isn't something to even bat an eyelid at. Lucky for me my son LOVES his veggies and his favorite snack is the Chobani Greek yogurt which is loaded with protein. So don't worry so much and just find other alternatives to get her the protein she needs till she chooses to try meat.

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There is a theory that babies will eat a well balanced diet if they are given the opportunity. Maybe instinctively she realizes she doesn't need meat--she is getting the protein she needs from formula or breast milk. You may say tuna is the exception, but tuna is so salty, maybe she is just into the salt.

Anyway, her tastes will change. Just keep offering. I don't think you can change what she likes, but you can expose her to all of her options. Also, you might want to taste the food she doesn't like(I mean , if it comes from a jar and you haven't tried it yet). Maybe it just doesn't taste good.

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It's probably a texture thing. At 8 mos, her primary nutrition is from formula or Bmilk, so I wouldn't stress.....she's getting her protein

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I used to get upset that my child wouldn't eat baby food meat. But then I tried it myself. YUCK!!! No wonder he wouldn't eat it! It was GROSS!!!

What I did then was give him smaller amounts of what I ate: natural, nitrate-free lunchmeat; shredded chicken breast; shredded turkey; pastrami. No more problems.

Try it. If that still doesn't work, then you may just have a vegetarian baby. Beans should help!

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter was the exact same way! She would gag and spit it out. I tasted it and it was gross. So, I don't blame my daughter for not wanting to eat it. Doesn't taste like the real thing, lol. My mom told me she couldn't get me to eat the baby meats either.

Your daughter is probably the same way. I bet when she's older she'll like meat, just like my daughter does now.

1 mom found this helpful

Have you tried he canned chicken that comes like canned tuna? They have ham like that too. You can try and see if she will eat it that way.

1 mom found this helpful

there are times when kids will do that, my daughter is a bit older but its a daily battle getting her to eat chicken! it has to hidden, dipped in honey or i really dont care what else, as long as it goes down. it probably a phase it will pass if its always on her plate. dont give up...

1 mom found this helpful

My little ones don't eat meat b/c we don't. They (3 yrs and 1 yr) eat beans and rice, tofu, cheese, cottage cheese, and fish. They like all kinds of beans: lentils, kidney, navy, baked beans, split peas, etc. I also prepare the tofu in various ways. I often marinate it then fry, saute, bake or broil it. My kids also like it plain.

Try soy cheese and make quesadillas with some refried beans on it.
Try a white fish: Pacific cod, halibut or tilapia.

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My mom said I didn't eat meat until I was two. I gagged on all the meat babyfood as well. My boys were the same way, but now they both eat it.

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My daughter loved tofu at that age. I would cut it into sticks (tofu fingers), roll it in bread crumbs, then bake for 5 to 7 minutes. I never gave her any baby food meat, I just waited until she was old enough for small pieces of regular meat. As long as she's still nursing or drinking formula, you don't really need to worry about her getting enough protein.

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I was like that as a baby, per my Mom.. and as a young child.
Meats/certain ones, would just make me sick.
As a child, the only 'meat' that would not make me sick.... was a good quality steak.
And any meats/deli meats with chemicals in it, made me sick and have migraines.

As an adult now, I can eat meat, with no problems.

Per our Pediatrician, it was recommended NOT to give 'meats' to baby..... until after 1 year old.

Yes, some babies eat tofu.

1 mom found this helpful

Yes, we have a vegetarian baby as well. My daughter won't allow meat in her mouth for a second - now 15 months. She will eat some beans. The doc suggested tofu at our last appointment - but giving babies soy is pretty controversial. So do your research before making the decision. Give beans a try also other kinds of fish. And look into healthy vegetarian diets for alternative ways to get her the protein she needs. I think it can be done, although it requires a lot of work since you are a meat eating family. Don't forget to keep offering meat in case one days she decides to try it.

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try adult meat in the blender, add milk or water to puree. See if that makes a difference. Have YOU tasted that stuff????

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My son was the same way. As he got older I would put just little meat on his plate, but he never had to eat it. I did not make a big deal out of it, nor did I hide the meat in anything. He is now 6 and loves meat! I think he was about 3 or 4 until he finaly tried some. It started out slow where he would take a bite or two and that was it and took off form there. She is only 8 months and I think meat is the hardest to digest. It could be that her tummy is just not ready yet!

1 mom found this helpful

Baby food meat is awful. I wanted to gag too when I tried it.

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My kids took a while to "like" meat. I think it's typical. My four year old will still sometimes chew her chicken for 10 minutes - then spit it out... Don't worry, just offer and see what happens. Mine liked salmon and some white fish - I think the texture was easier. Just be sure she's getting her protien from cheese, yogurt, edamame, other veggies and beans. Sounds like she eats a lot and she's doing very well!

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My Dad's cousin was the same way, and is still a vegetarian. We are a very meat-eating, hunting family. She just doesn't eat it.
My son is the same way so far, going on 2 and has never, will not eat meat. I will cut up TINY pieces, and mix it with rice and veggies just to test it out. He ALWAYS chews up everything, and sure enough will spit the meat out.

I don't worry about it too much, there is plenty to eat without the meat. Oh, we don't do any dairy except for yogurt around here. I keep fat-free organic milk on hand for cooking because I'm not totally against it, just not too much dairy in our diet for personal beliefs and facts on diet and allergies.

Because we hardly EVER eat sugar, I do keep Danimals and Dananinos on hand from the yogurt section. My son loves to eat those, so, you may try those and see if he likes them.

Other than that, just make sure she is getting plenty of green, leafy vegetables and good fruits. Beans are great also!

Good luck, this will surely allow you to experiment more with some recipes.

Oh, one meat my son does like, (which, really is just junk! lol!), are those little sausages. The little bitty ones that people put on tooth picks on trays with cheese or cook with barbecue sauce. lol! That is the only kind he will eat, and, I wouldn't really call that a meat OR a healthy snack!

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Have you tasted baby food meats? They are terrible, flavor and texture! They are gritty. It was the same with my son when trying baby food meats. He is a fantastic meat eater now. Also when it was time to start eating real adult meats he was great. It's truly a flavor and texture problem not a vegitarian or vegan thing. Don't stress about this your baby is very young yet and doesn't get her protien from any meat at this point.

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My almost 4 year old still won't eat meat - any kind. She will literally wipe it off her tongue if it sneaks in there and she doesn't realize it. I got all panicked about her iron levels and had them checked and they were fine. Somehow she's making it work. Good luck to you though! It is super annoying to deal with if you aren't used to not having meats as a family!! (particularly if you go out to eat...)

1 mom found this helpful

this isnt a problem.
how old is she now?
first off, solids are started at 4 months of age at the earliest. 6 months is becoming more and more realized to be safer. the age to start meats is usually said to be 8 months. so if shes under 8 months, i wouldnt worry about it; just skip it until then.

as long as shes getting formula/breastmilk, thats really all she needs for nurishment. dont worry about the amount of solids she eats, as long as she gets her formula/breastmilk thats more than enuogh for now. solids are more for texture and getting used to the solid food stage; not as much for nutrition, believe it or not.

so anyway, if shes over 8 months; who cares! meats are actually bad for us anyway, so dont stress. just give her lots of fruits and veggies, and you might want to introduce the legume family (beans and whatnot). peanut butter is a good source of protien as well, or other nuts. i know they say wait on nuts because of allergies, but im hearing that information turn now too; the thinking now is that waiting too long to introduce nuts can cause allergies not prevent them.

if you are really feeling like you have to get her to eat the meats the only other option is to mix them with something she likes. i did this with my son, who still doesnt like meats, but tolerates them. i mixed applesauce or whatever sweet baby food with them, sweet potatoes work too.
anyway. good luck and dont stress; its not about what shes eating, its about making sure its all in balance. if meats are a no go- then introduce the beans ( like black beans, etc stuff like that)

go vegan. seriously; its the most healthy thing you can do. and with friends like vegelinks and morning star/boca, you cant go wrong! :)

You know the primary source of nutrition till they are 1 is still formula and breast milk. There is a huge push to not start solids till 1 for that matter. At 1 my latest child is still beyond picky. I am a veggie so no meat will touch his lips. He'll have soy, beans, legumes. My doctor says again anything solid is great still but his soy milk is the most important.

So right now don't worry about it. Re-try every couple of days. Like with children it can take 7-12 presentations to even try it so don't get upset. It's not your fault. If you really are very upset talk to your ped about it.

Good luck though! Feed a baby can be soooo frustrating.

Niether one of my girls would eat the baby food meat. Have you tasted it? Its disgusting. Don't sweat it she will come around. The iron in her formula will take care of her needs until she starts eating the solids you eat.