Nine month old will not eat solids

[mommyjohnnyandmia]

I am exclusively breastfeeding my nine-month old son. When he turned six months, we tried the cereal-with breastmilk, with formula, with juice, with just baby fruits, he wanted nothing to do with any of it. Now he is 9 months old and still does not want anything to do with anything going into his mouth except the chi-chi!! Is this normal, has anybody heard of this happening before? Also, the minute I put him down to nap or sleep, he wakes up and will cry. The only way I can get some sleep is to let him sleep w/ us in bed. I know what can happen if I let it go on any longer, but I just don't know what else to do. Please help!!

[masonbrooke]

Sorry to hear about your troubles, but glad to hear I'm not the only one! My 6 month old spits and gags and coughs until she gets every bit of baby food out of her mouth! She is exclusively breastfed as well. I wish I had some advice for you! All I can say is keep on offering it to him and one day he'll get it. I didn't read the last part of your post, but have you tried going straight to baby food and bypassing cereal? I had to do that with my BF daughter when she was younger.

[latia]

Hi. I had the same problem with my two sons. I breastfed them for 16 months, but for the longest I tried to introduce solids into their diet. All I can tell you from my experience is that when they are ready they will take it. I had a hard time figuring out what to feed them because they never took baby food. They took fruit and vegetables, but no meat which is good but then you have to make sure they are getting the protein they would get from meat. It was frustrating for a while but they slowly started eating regular food. Unless they are not gaining weight properly I would not sweat it because they are getting what they need from you so they have no desire for anything else.

[KeyrahandI]

Mt daughter was the same way, would not eat any cereal with breast milk, formula and I also tried apple jucie, so I used just water and she ate it. She didnt want anything to do with the baby food. I just had to stick with it and not get upset and stressed because she didnt eat. She Loves to eat reg. food. So he is 12 months and still eats her cereal and some baby food but mostly eats table food anything I eat so I try to eat as good as I can around her. So if he is healthy he may just not want to try that yet every baby will try things at there own speed. And for the sleeping in the bed I am still trying to get her to sleep in her own bed too. good luck

[sixzilliondots]

My son was the EXACT same way, he wanted NOTHING to do with anything other than titty juice for the 1st 8 1/2 months and then he just decided he wanted everything. Now he eats all sorts of table food. My son NEVER ate baby food it was too bland to him. Try mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, rice, and yogurt, that's what he eats a LOT of right now.

[JeneeH]

Have you tried letting your son self-feed? Sometimes they won't take anything off a spoon but will eat finger foods. Cheerios, soft cooked noodles, cooked peas and ripe avocados were some of my kids favorites. There is also a product (I don't know who makes it) that is like a mesh teething bag. You can put pieces of fruit and even cooked chicken inside. The baby chews/sucks on it and can eat without the choking danger. It sounds kind of gross, but kids love it. I would reccomend talking to your pediatrician about this at your next check-up. Vitamin D or iron supplements may be in order, now that your son is older. Good luck, and try not to stress too much. Your milk is still great nutrition for your baby.

[sweetnkky]

My daughter was the exact same way with the cereal she wouldn't eat it with anything but water. I also breast feed but had to substitute some formula. I think that also help with the transition to solids.

[kaiya23]

Maybe he doesn't know what it is for yet. Put him in the high chair while you guys eat dinner, even if it is just to play with toys and maybe it will spark his interest.

[nathaliehanna]

Give him time. I really believe that babies will eat when they are developmentally ready to do so - don't force him or you will just make food a turn-off because it has become a battle he knows he won't win.

My dd exclusively nursed to 7 months, tried solids for a whopping two hours, then flat out refused to try solids again until she was 11 months old.

My ds1 exclusively nursed to 8.5 months and then wouldn't STOP eating solids. And he still hasn't stopped - he LOVES food!

My ds2 exclusively nursed - you're not gonna believe this - until he was THIRTEEN MONTHS OLD. He flat out refused EVERYTHING I offered him. He would gag, choke, vomit, etc., which made him panic and scream. It was SOOO hard. But I reminded myself that breastmilk is supposed to be the main source of nutrition for the first year and solids are really only for experimenting with at that time, so I was okay with it. Then a year hit, and he wanted nothing to do with his birthday cake or any food, so I just waited. Finally, at thirteen months he started sampling and now eats like a little pig. I figure he just wasn't ready. He seems slow in development in almost every single area, so it really didn't surprise me after awhile.