Problems eating from a spoon...

Melissa - posted on 03/19/2010

If you do the research they'll tell you that it is normal for a baby to spit it out/reject it. It will take a while for your son to get used to the idea of it. They also say it isn't uncommon for a baby to only eat a teaspoon until they get the hang of it. Right now it it just practice, they don't NEED the cereal at this age. Eventually he will get the hang of it. Keep trying, he'll get it.

Abbie - posted on 03/19/2010

I was told this is a normal reaction, its like if someone pulls on your, you pull back type thing. You can either wait a while or continue to try and feed the cereal. He is still getting some cereal; even though he spits most of it out. Plus make sure its pretty runny also. Its a personal choice.

Sylvia - posted on 03/19/2010

If he spits it out, that means he's not ready to eat it. Not surprising at 4 months. Just forget it for a while. At some point over the next 2-3 months, he'll start being interested in food, trying to grab it from your plate, etc., and then you'll know he's ready.

Also, there's no need to feed babies cereal; if you find he doesn't like it, it's perfectly fine to give him something else instead (like mashed avocado, banana, sweet potato ...). Food is really just for practice for the first year anyway :)

Firebird - posted on 03/19/2010

Wait a month then try again.

Ashley - posted on 03/19/2010

I agree with Amy. I tried to give my little guy cereal at about 4 months or so and he just wasn't ready so we went back to just the bottle until he was about 5 1/2 months old. He used to sit with me while I ate and he started following my food with his eyes and if it came close enough to him he would try to eat it so we tried the cereal again and there was no hesitation at all. Now he's a great eater and was always very healthy. When he's ready, he'll let you know. =0)

Iridescent - posted on 03/19/2010

Do not use a trick! The tongue thrust is a reflex and when your baby is ready for food, they will outgrow it. You were told it's ok by the doctor, and as a general rule some kids are ready for cereal at 4 months, but yours obviously isn't quite yet. Formula or breastmilk is plenty for at least another 2 months as the sole source of nutrition, so no rushing. Any other action can cause your baby to choke.

http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/g...

"Tongue thrust



While the tongue thrust or 'extrusion reflex' is present, if a baby's lips are touched her tongue automatically moves forward. Tongue thrust aids feeding from the breast or bottle but not solid foods. This reflex generally fades by around 3 or 4 months of age but for some babies it will remain active for longer. While this reflex is still active, if solid foods are offered it appears like your baby is pushing the food out of her mouth with her tongue. This reflex is often mistaken as dislike of food. Although this is not the case, a tongue thrust is a sign that your baby is not ready to eat solid foods."