8 month old refusing food

My DS is 8 months old and is still on stage 2 while we slowly introduce table food. We have tried steamed carrots and sweet potatoes, but he kinda just rolls it around in his mouth and then spits it out. He does eat and swallow puffs. This week he has started refusing stage 2 foods. He swats it away, clamps his mouth shut, cries, or blows raspberries. I am kind if at a loss as to what to do. He doesn't seem ready for table food, but clearly doesn't want stage 2 food. My ped said to cut down on nursing to see if he would get hungry, but I'm afraid he won't eat enough.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? What can I do to get him to eat?

TIA!

8 month old refusing food

I'm just starting to introduce my 8 month old to table foods and I get similar reactions. We tried pastina but he wants NO part of it....

8 month old refusing food

I wouldn't want to cut down on nursing. Maybe you could try feeding before nursing? I can't remember when it was ok to do that, only that you were supposed to nurse first in the beginning. Anyway, your LO's main nutrition is still supposed to be from nursing or formula.

8 month old refusing food

Are you giving the food b4 the formula? Maybe he is too full by the time he gets to the foods.

Re: 8 month old refusing food

If he's hungry he's going to eat eventually. It's probably just a passing phase. At 8 months I would personally not cut down on nursing (of course if you want to try that it won't hurt the baby) but I certainly would not allow any additional nursing while he is refusing solids.

Both of my kids wouldn't eat more than stage 2 purées until a year old. It was very frustrating. I tried everything and then all of a sudden they were eating table food. Trust me this is mostly out of your control, especially at that age.

Message edited 12/30/2014 8:20:35 PM.

8 month old refusing food

We started BLWing with DD when she was 6 months old so she's had table food but she's never really been interested in eating too much. For the past month or so, we've added purees and even then, she'll only have half a jar/pouch. In fact, tonight, at 1 week shy of her being 10 months old, she ate a whole pouch. But it's a struggle every day.

8 month old refusing food

I wouldn't cut back on nursing! I believe that until 1 it's still supposed to be their primary source of nutrition.

Honestly, I wouldn't force the issue-if he's hungry he'll eat. Just keep introducing foods.

Re: 8 month old refusing food

cutting down on nursing is the last thing I would do. honestly if my ped said that I'd be shopping for a different one.

Breast milk (or formula) is the optimal nutrition for babies and they need nothing else. Food at that age is just for practice.

I would keep offering it but not stressing about it.

8 month old refusing food

Remember - Food before 1 is just for fun! Definitely don't cut down on nursing!

Re: 8 month old refusing food

I think the fact that your LO is playing with his food is a good thing. That is a big part of learning new textures and learning how to eat even if he spits it all out after.

I wouldn't rush to cut down on BFing, unless you are nursing him A LOT! When DD was 8 months she was nursing 5 times a day.

Re: 8 month old refusing food

Thanks for the replies! I am definitely not going to cut down on nursing. I just may switch it up for some meals as I have been nursing first and then feeding him. We actually mashed up a banana tonight and he did pretty well with it. We also tried a little shredded chicken and he managed to get a few pieces in his mouth. I'm going to just keep trying to offer both table foods and purees and hope for the best. He is nursing 5-6 times a day, so I'm not too concerned about his nutrition.