Serious Food Issue... HELP!

[Emmalee]

Liam just turned six months old a few days ago and he's wonderful.... except we're now having an issue with his eating.

He had been exclusively breastfed until about two weeks ago when we gave him his first taste of rice cereal. We waited the required amount of days to ensure there was no allergic reaction, which there wasn't, so now he's had the cereal two more times.

On Tuesday he had his six month check-up with the doctor and he hasn't grown much at all. He is very healthy at 15 lbs 3 oz and he's doing well but he basically weighs exactly what he weighed when he was five months old. And not to compare but Charlotte weighed 2-3 lbs more than him at this age. Obviously this concerns me but I figured now that we're starting real food he'll start to pack it on.

But now he won't eat!!!!!

I tried to give him carrots four days ago and he reacted badly. Not everyone likes carrots so I made him some rice cereal instead. He wouldn't eat it. We made him a bottle with 3 oz of formula (first time having it) and he sucked it back. Okay, well, it's something with nutritional value and that's what matters to me most right now.

So I tried to give him the cereal again yesterday and again he refused to eat it and cried his little head off. Remember he LOVED it the first three times he ate it.

Now today I tried to give him banana. Nope. Wasn't happening. Same negative reaction. Then I mixed up some barley cereal... still no.

HE WON'T EAT ANYTHING BUT BREASTMILK AND FORMULA!!!!

This wouldn't concern me so much except he's not gaining weight now being only on breastmilk. He needs more. We started Charlotte on food before she was six months old but we wanted to wait with Liam since he was doing so well just being breastfed (and frankly, it's easier when you have a baby and a toddler).

What do I do???? I can't force feed him. I've even tried feeding him in different places - in the bumbo seat, in the high chair, sitting on my lap... I don't want to set him up to be a fussy eater and I don't understand how he can be so excited to eat cereal three separate times and then totally reject it later.

Suggestions? Anyone????

[SnappyDragon]

Have you tried oatmeal or any other grain? You might even add something sweet like apples or pears. My first son didn't like food much at first, he was gaining weight fine, but he just wasn't too terribly interested in eating, he still isn't at almost 6.

All you can really do is introduce a new food every few days. You can't make him like what he doesn't!

They sure make their mommas work, don't they???

[Marissa]

Hmmm...what if you put some formula or breast milk in his cereal or fruit? This way he can still get the milk taste but also have some real food as well. I used to do this with Hailey. I would put some formula in her applesauce with a sprinkle of rice cereal. She loved it!

[Traseal]

I wouldn't worry. Raine man really didn't eat at all before 12 months and then after that if he had a piece of toast a day then that was WOW!!! Once he turned 16 months he suddenly LOVED it...he just wasn't ready for it. He was happy, healthy and wasnt losing weight and just didnt need it. And when i was working he hardly even frank ebm. ALl kids are different and they know what they need and when they need it. HAve you ever read on baby led solids?? Food before one is just for fun

[jaycie]

Jack didn't like squishy foods....so we had to make everything thick....that got to be a big hassle, so I just gave him foods off my plate....he liked that better....

[Ceri]

I TOLD you boys were more trouble than girls (especially Charlotte!) You were lucky to have a perfect child with her LOL

My only advice is what you told me when I was having issues with the boys. I don't remember exactly how you said it but basically relax & keep trying. As long as he is not loosing a lot of weight. I remember Jax wouldn't touch cereal until you gave me the barley cereal. Boys are stubborn by nature. As we know being married to boys :)

[Kari]

I'm sorry I don't have any advice but the others have done a great job with that.
The only other thing I can think of is will he gum some crackers or cheerios or anything like that?
I hope you get things figured out soon!

[Flower]

Foods at this age are mostly for introduction. The small amounts of rice cereal or veggies he might eat would be pretty low in calories. I would focus on nursing and make sure he is getting enough. He is probably pretty busy exploring these days. Make sure he stops to nurse at least 8 times in 24 hours and that he gets a good long feed. Id take a break for a couple weeks on the solids and then offer him something you havent tried before. Dont make it a battle. It no big deal at this point.