Really worried and disheartened about food

My baby is almost 8 months old, and we have been giving her solids since 5 months.

Started with purées, and in the last month or so started with finger foods.

She is having two meals a day on top of her usual bottles, and we are trying with a mix of sachets and finger foods. For example we’ll give her something spread on toast, with a bit of banana and Greek yoghurt, or broccoli, egg and half a pouch.

She only seems to be interested in picking up food herself, but can’t do it with spoons yet, and it ends up that she has hardly anything of any meal we give her. When I say hardly anything I mean a few tiny bites if that, she just plays with it and waves it about usually before dropping it on the floor. The most she’s had on a spoon is half of a bit of Greek yoghurt.

I’ve tried different plates, spoons, giving her stuff from our plates to make her think it’s our meal, we give her loads of different stuff to try, but all of it isn’t working and I’m really concerned that she’s just never going to eat.

I’m at the point of crying at every meal time when she doesn’t even want any of it. She doesn’t even have good and bad days, it’s all just bad days where she doesn’t seem interested unless it’s licking the topping off toast, or having a few bites of a melty stick.

Is anyone else going through the same, and does anyone have any tips as I’m at my wits end of making food just for all of it to be thrown away- we don’t have my income anymore on maternity, so food shopping is tight as it is.

This, and I read that her iron drops so food is important at this stage, and I’m worried she’s not getting what she needs.

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I read that food is just about them experimenting and learning at this stage and not to worry if your baby isn’t eating much. My baby loves food but my friend’s baby isn’t interested at all. Have you tried giving her meat? My baby went feral for chicken drumstick, beef mince and steak. All with lots of iron. She’s not good at using spoons and doesn’t consume much. I don’t think it’s very worrying at all or worth getting upset about. You can’t force her to eat? She’s getting what she needs from milk at the moment. Xx

I am in the exact same position and it’s really getting me down.

The only time he remotely eats anything even small is with my husband who is at work most of the time so it’s a constant struggle.

I have no advice as I have also tried everything. But am in same situation.

My baby had a milk allergy and reflux so I also fed him at 5 months. I have found since blending his meals- he is now taking 3 meals a day. Ive had to really plan what I blend but he definitely prefers the food with his finger foods. I also make meal times quite fun and he now really enjoys it. X

The biggest thing to remember is that food is fun before 1. Its all about play and exploring and being messy. If she tries a bit and spits it out that is still a win. I know its disheartening but she's doing exactly what she is meant to be doing. My first loved to make a mess with her food but was happy to try too. My 8 month old just likes to make a mess 😂 it's all completely normal. Just keep doing what you're doing and she'll get there. You got this mama

It's really good that she's playing with it! That shows she's interested and wants to explore. Keep going and one day soon it will click for her. RE waste, I know it's so frustrating. They don't need much to try it though, you only have to put one little bite on their plate, any more can be intimidating

Fun til one!

My baby girl is also starting to have a mix of pure with finger foods now. She plays with everything and throws everything about! She can put the spoon to her mouth but she can’t feed herself with a spoon yet. She does grab things with her hand and put it to her mouth but again only a bit actually makes it to her mouth and gets eaten. I don’t feel particularly worried, some babies are just spoon fed and they will eventually learn to feed themselves as it’s a developmental skill they learn. Also always hear that food before one is just for fun - main calories are from milk still x

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