Eating 6 Month Old

Updated on May 25, 2011
M.R. asks from Provo, UT
7 answers

We started my six month old slowly on cereals, veg, fruits about a month ago, and have only tried about a total of 6 things. He was doing really well with eating when all of the sudden the last few days he refuses to let us spoon anything into his mouth. He will clench his jaw at tightly as possible and turn his head, so obviously he is not wanting to. He does this any time we try. We normally feed him "lunch" on his own and "dinner" with us. He is eating more breastmilk than he has been in the past, but is totally against food. Yet always opens his mouth when he sees us eating our food. I do let him drink water from my cup which he loves. But he was doing so well, i'm at a loss with what could be going on...anyone with experiences?

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B.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Don't eat your 6 month old !!!!

JK, that was my 1st thought when I read the title. Just follow his cues, it will all work out when he is ready.

4 moms found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

I would not worry. They are quite quirky!!!! He is getting what he needs
thru you. Soon he will be eating again!

1 mom found this helpful

P.M.

answers from Tampa on

Infants shouldn't be eating much solids anyways - breastmilk is the main source of nutrition and fluids for at least the first year. Trying something new will loose it's coolness or appeal quickly, especially when they can get the really good stuff 'on tap'. Just back off from solids for the moment and try it again in a month.

The baby is MIMICKING you and hubby while eating, doesn't mean he actually wants to EAT it with you. This is how primates and mammals learn, by mimicking their parents. Most times it takes a long time before they are ready to actually do what parents are doing.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.F.

answers from Pocatello on

Why not give him some "real" food? He is probably bored with his bland baby food! Try mixing some foods together and adding some spices, like avacado mixed with mango or squash mixed with applesauce with some cinnamon or nutmeg in it. You can also mash up some of the foods that you like to eat, or give him very small pieces that he can handle eating. Try giving him a wider variety of foods, there is no evidence that restricting his food choices or giving him only the blandest purees will prevent food allergies; in fact some research suggests that feeding a "too bland" diet can acctually lead to food allergies later on when he finally gets to eat something with a little bit of FLAVOR in it! Another idea is that he wants to learn to feed himself. A messy adventure, but one that is developmentally appropriate and fun for babies! Start by lettting him have some of those meltaway fruit or cereal puffs that Gerber and other baby food companies make. Or hand him a spoon full of baby food and help him guide it to his mouth. My babies liked that game, I would take the spoon and fill it with food, then hand it to them to feed themselves. And don't worry if he goes on a bit of a food strike from tiem to time, as long as he is still nursing he is gettign plenty of good nutrition. And when he is older, it is comforting to know that he really WILL eat when he is hungry enough! A child's appetite waxes and wanes as they go through growth spurts or they are more or less active.

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J.P.

answers from Denver on

I agree with the others below. Babies instinctively eat what they need, and breast milk is the main source of nutrition for the first year. In fact, all solid eating is just practice until then--they don't really need it to be healthy. I say listen to his cues. My youngest refused solids until he was 13 months old, but now he's a happy, healthy 3 year old who eats just fine. Don't worry--he's not starving himself! He'll eat when he's ready. If he was refusing breast milk then I would worry--but since he doesn't need solids yet he's fine.
J. :-)

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Let him try feeding himself. Yes it will be very messy but he may enjoy it.

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

He might be teething and so eating the solids (even though they are so soft) might be more painful for him. Breastmilk is easy and comforting and doesn't hurt their gums.

Keep offering it and he'll eventually come around. If you're ok with messes, give him a small bowl and spoon and let him just play with the food. Maybe some of it will make it in his mouth, maybe not, but at least he'll see that food can be fun.

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