My 11 month old has been refusing to eat her cereal and baby food. I am trying to transition her to whole milk lately because my milk supply is decreasing. Is this normal for a baby to suddenly stop wanting solids? She seems healthy. How long will this last?

April - posted on 05/06/2009

I dont think this problem has anything to do with cereal-- its about the lessening of the comfort of breastfeeding (just one of those transitions of life) and the easy digestion breastmilk provides for everything else she eats shortly after a session.

Cows milk is nothing like breastmilk. First of all its very hard to digest for a baby under one year old-- she may also have a sensitivity to cows milk which makes her less inclined to drink it. I know its typically stated that a baby can handle cows milk after one year old, but many dont and go on to drink 'follow on milk' which is modified formula, sometimes soya based, until 2 years old when, at that time, their little systems are more mature and can handle the complex fats and enzymes in cows milk. Dont fret if she doesnt want cows milk either-- its so high in salt that it can inhibit the uptake of protein from her other foods--something the milk lobby doesnt like to broadcast.

My advice is to give her a little breastmilk in a cup at the meals you are finding she wont eat OR give her a follow on milk in its place, but do try to do it in a cup (if she has never had a bottle, its better not to get her to take that only to transition away from that in the very near future-- its just a headach you dont need) and LOTS of cuddles and kisses during the times when you would have been breastfeeding her-- she will miss the physical comfort and contact of Mummy.

Finally, dont worry too much about her health and a lessening of caloric intake-- transitions are stressful. Babies and tots go through phases where they eat loads and then not so much-- as long as you dont see any significant weight loss I would just keep up the transition in a gentle and caring way. Wishing you the best of luck with your little one-- :-)

Andrea - posted on 05/05/2009

Are you giving her finger foods? My 11-month old now only wants his finger foods (or trying to feed himself), so I give him finger foods and while he is distracted and picking it up, I can sneak in a few bites of his baby food. We average about 30 minutes to eat each meal because that is how long it takes me to feed him his entire serving of baby food in between his own finger foods. Good luck! Other tricks that worked for a little while could be using different colored spoons.

Sunny - posted on 05/05/2009

BM is very filling so perhaps she is not eating her solids because she is getting her fill from milk. What about feeding BM about an hour or so after her solids?

Rachel - posted on 05/05/2009

My son (12 months old tomorrow) went straight on to full cream cows milk at 11 months without a problem, he still gets fussy about his solids though....one day he'll eat his cereal...the next he won't, so he has toast instead.

I asked my childcare nurse and she said it's all part of them seizing a little bit of control...as food is something they can have some control over. Try varying what you offer her to eat....no-one likes to eat the same thing day in day out.

She also explained that if bubs is teething or not feeling well, that could be a reason for not eating solids.

You could also try offering the breast after the solids instead of before.

Marie - posted on 05/05/2009

I have an 11 month old also. I pump 5 times a week at work (I only work 2.5 days). My milk supply is also dropping off. While this is a natural progression if you're full time SAHM, there's a point where you start to wonder - my munchkin was showing me signs of frustration that he wasn't getting what he wanted - usually at bed time.



As for the solids - have you given your LO a variety of breakfast cereals? Perhaps putting some apple sauce in it? We've cycled through about 8 different cereals as Alexander has grown older, starting with rice, he is now eating Milupa Wheat, Yoghurt and Apple or Banana.



We also feed him a variety of solids through out the day. If I'm at home all day he nurses before and after naps, as well as gets his cereal and either some of our dinner, or a jar of baby food from the store.



Since Alexander shows no signs of wanting to wean I visited my doctor today who started me on Domperidone (Dr's in the US use Reglan) so my milk supply will stay up long enough for Alex to wean himself.

Sonia - posted on 05/05/2009

I am just starting to wean her. I still offer the breast before her solids. She nurses pretty well, although she is quite the squirmer that it is often interrupted by her kicking me in the head..lol. She also is distracted so easily by anyone entering the room. I have three other kids. I am offering a cup of whole cow's milk after meals. Lately though (the last 5 days or so) she doesn't want to eat the solid food meal offered after I nurse her. I'm pretty sure my milk supply is less than sufficient to totally satisfy her appetite.

Emily - posted on 05/05/2009

are you trying to wing her? if so good luck my son is 15 months old and still nurses at night. My doctor told me that the milk will not fully dry up until he completey stops so if you inly let her at night you should be fine. As for solids yes I think they get board with what they are eatting. I give my son things he can dip he loves to dip.