Baby doesn't like to be spoon-fed

by Deb Donovan

My baby is seven months old and I am breastfeeding. He has started solids but isn't interested in being spoon-fed and will only eat foods that he can hold and eat himself. This is limiting the types of food I can offer him and the amount of food that he will eat. Do you have any suggestions of foods he may be interested in?

answer

There is no reason for concern over your baby turning down pureed foods in favour of finger foods. Actually this will make feeding easier for you. This is not an uncommon reaction - babies of this age delight in picking up everything to put in their mouth, and what could be better than food?

Since he is showing interest in solid foods, he might enjoy joining you and the rest of the family at the dinner table. When preparing your meal, try to include one food, simply prepared, that he can eat, such as potato or carrot. Cook until it is soft, leave to cool and cut into small pieces. He will enjoy picking up these little pieces, and getting them into his mouth. A great accomplishment.

Other possibilities for early finger foods are: soft, ripe banana; chopped, cooked apple slices (with peel removed), or grated, raw apple; softly cooked carrot slices, or grated raw carrot; softly cooked peas; cubed tofu (if he is not sensitive to soy products); rice cakes; cubed, boiled chicken; or hard-boiled egg yolk. The possibilities are endless. Just go slowly, and stay away from foods that might cause your baby to choke. Though it is unlikely that any of these foods would be dangerous, it is always a good idea to stay with your baby while he eats.

Breast milk continues to provide excellent nutrition for as long as your child continues to breastfeed. It will remain the mainstay of your baby's diet during his first year of life. Best wishes on this new eating adventure.

ivillage uk

Baby doesn't like to be spoon-fed