Not interested in eating baby food...

[cindyswanson15]

Im not sure what to do, my 7 mth old daughter locks down tighter than fort knox when it comes to eating baby food or rice cereal. My husband and I have tried everything, different spoons, different brands of food, still nothing. She will not open her mouth and if you happen to sneek one in she gags... i think she might not be ready. Everything that I have read says when babies are ready they will let you know. I think she is tell me that she is not. I read about a 5 mth old wanting what their mom was eating, my daughter has showed no signs of even that. I don't want my daughter to fall behind but I don't know what to do??? Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[j-love]

Just keep offering the food. She will take it when she is ready.

[lismom2]

Just keep offering the food. She will take it when she is ready.

ditto ;) each baby develops at their own (sometimes frustrating) pace. My dd was eating solids at 5 months. My son still won't touch solids at 8 1/2 months. Most, if not all nutrition comes from breastmilk or formula for the first year anyway, so don't worry :), your babe will be fine.

[Bec caV]

It could also be the taste. If she' not eaten solids at all, do only rice cereal until she starts eating. Make sure you mix it with breast milk/formula (which ever you feed her normally with) not water.

I got my son eating by sitting down in front of him with a bowl of cereal (big girl rice Chex :) ) then letting him take the spoon when I went to feed him his cereal (I held it too to guide it to his mouth). The moral of that story is, sometimes you have to use less than conventional means to get them eating.
But... as the others have said, she might just not be ready yet. As long as she's satisfied on breast milk/formula, no need to start solids (contrary to what the baby food manufacturers say)

[H.Starr]

My son REFUSED to eat his cereal when mixed with formula.
I tried mixing it with juice and he was in love.
Maybe try that to start?

[rickip]

My kids weren't interested until 7-8 months either. Solids in the 1st year are just for "practice" so keep offering it mixed with whatever she usually drinks (breastmilk or formula) to pretty thin and eventually she'll come around. Her main nutrition is from the breast or bottle so don't sweat it!!

[The Loud]

I agree that she'll let you know when she's ready. When she is, stuff in little jars labeled "baby food" is not necessary. Offer her some of what you eat, prepared for her, like mashed fresh fruits or vegetables. But actually, my baby loves crunchy things like celery best, and she doesn't even have teeth yet.