All Communities > Breastfeeding Moms > My 8 month old is not interested in food. Do you think...

My 8 month old is not interested in food. Do you think this should be a concern ?

Jaimi - posted on 12/03/2009 ( 6 moms have responded )

22

48

My baby is 8 months old and I have tried since he was 6 months to give him cereal and baby food, I have mashed up freshly cooked food as well. He will not eat it, He has eaten a few bites on occasion, But just seems more interested in the spoon and not in the food at all. I have two other children who have always pigged out, So this is my first non eater. He is breast fed and seems to be growing well with just breast milk, But I just don't know if this is a normal thing ? Any input would be appricitated. With cereal he gagged, baby foods he will take a bite or two, Then chase the spoon and not open his mouth anymore and turn his head. Mashed bananas or veggies he will take a bite and play with it in his mouth and spit it out. Cherrio he choked and vomited.. No more solid things.. He has three teeth. and biter biscuits.. He loves them.

Join Circle of Moms

Sign up for Circle of Moms and be a part of this community! Membership is just one click away.

Join Circle of Moms

6 Comments

View replies by

Jaimi - posted on 12/03/2009

22

48

Thanks all, This makes me feel better. I think all of you had a point. He does just like the power of feeding himself I think and he is over 20lbs, So I know he is growing well, I just bougth him some poly/ vitamin drops today to make sure he is getting enough Vitamin D and iron. I have tried making all his food runny with added breast milk, Still no goes on that. I guess he is just not into food yet. I'm going to wait and give it a try in a month. Thanks

April - posted on 12/03/2009

3,419

16

you just described my son to a T! he is 11 months months old and still not interested!! he does exactly what your son does..takes 1 or 2 bites then chases the spoon or hits the spoon.



i disagree with the above post that it's not normal for a older baby not to show interest. Babies can survive on breast milk alone until they are 1 year old. Then they need something extra after 1 year!!



I wouldn't worry about it!! He is not going to be 5 years old or 10 years old and not eating anything!

Katherine - posted on 12/03/2009

190

26

You may want to look in to baby-led weaning (http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/startin...) if your little one isn't interested in purees at all. Especially if he likes the biter biscuits, he may just want more control than he can get being fed with a spoon.

Bethany - posted on 12/03/2009

407

11

Don't worry about it. I disagree that it's not normal. There is no reason to force solids on him. Just give him a little break and try again in a couple months. My daughter was exclusively breastfed for 10 1/2 months before we started solids. Even then we took it really slow. A friend of mine waited roughly a year with three of her kids so far. As long as he's developing fine cognitively and physically, I really wouldn't worry. :)

Kellyn - posted on 12/03/2009

87

38

It's not normal for such an old baby to not be interested in food, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. Just like with nursing times and amounts, babies will set their own pace. They say the "norm" for babies is to eat solid food by about 6 months. They say the "norm" is for babies to drink so much breast milk / formula every 2 or 3 hours. But every baby is different. As long as he's gaining weight by nursing, don't worry about it too much. If he ever stops gaining (or even worse starts losing weight), then take him to the doc. In fact, if you're worried about it, talk to the doc anyway.

Also, have you tried watering his food down to where it's pretty soupy? Sounds like he hasn't quite got the hang of swallowing and it may be deterring him. You can also try adding some breast milk to the rice cereal instead of water and see if that might be more appealing to him.

Janel - posted on 12/03/2009

38

3

I would not be concerned. Im sure your baby is just wondering what your doing with this spoon. Let your baby eat when he is ready.. if hes healthy and happy then nothing is broke and dont try to fix it!

Powered by RESPECT not THUMPS

Want to find out the opinions of this community?

Add Poll