Failing at weaning

[Ebs1108]

my 6 year old was so easy to wean. He took to purées, spoons & blw right from the get-go!

Our 8 month old is the complete opposite. She has a massive interest in food but only some times. She has an incredibly high gag reflex and it doesn’t seem to be getting better.

I cannot seem to find the right time of day, she’s always hungry for her milk. Everywhere online it says to aim for 600mls of formula a day but she’s currently on 5x 6oz bottles a day, which is 900mls with no signs of slowing them down. Should I be lowering them myself in the hope she eats?

I just feel like a total failure in this department as we are now on month 8, and no set schedules, doesn’t feel like we are getting anywhere!

Any tips/routine ideas would be greatly appreciated

[Redpanda5]

Hello. I was just passing through this section of healthunlocked and felt compelled to respond to your post. I think I signed up for this particular group when I first joined and didn’t realize it wasn’t for people in the US

Anyhow, I recently have been reading a book on ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Feeding Intake Disorder) because my teen was diagnosed in the last year with it. In this book it discusses extensively how this develops in babies —- that there is a critical period when they switch from liquid only to solids. Some babies don’t transition well. Some have trouble with the side to side sweep of the tongue which is the normal way to clear food prior to swallowing. You are in that period according to the book.

I highly recommend finding a feeding specialist who has expertise in ARFID to see if your baby is struggling with this. My daughter goes to an eating disorder clinic at the hospital. Don’t wait and don't let people dismiss you. See a specialist as soon as possible to mitigate this. It will help your sanity and your baby’s frustration, especially down the road. This probably won’t get better on its own and time is of the essence according to what I’ve read.

The book: Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children: A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals, by Gillian Harris

Anyway, I saw your post and couldn’t not share since I had just been reading about this and would want someone to tell me!

Best to you!

[Babypigeon Community Ambassador]

Hi first of all, don't ever think you are a failure, parenting is hard and we are always are own worse critic. Every child is different. I'm not an expert but I thought the first year of weaning was just fun. Take it slow and have fun with it. I did reduce my son's formula at around 7 months as he wanted to eat but was too full on milk. However we did then stop food for a few weeks and he wasn't getting on well and increased the milk again. When we tried again he did better. (He suffered bad with reflux and was on infant gaviscon. Having food has helped this and he is now off the gaviscon.) This was right for my son. And if your daughter is interested in food it maybe something you can try and it may be a daily thing that the next day she wants more milk.

Also don't worry about routines if she's interested in food at any time of day give it ago. (Maybe not just before bed lol)

If your worried about reducing the milk give just one number Norfolk a call and they can advise.

But I think the best advise is have fun and don't worry too much she will get there xx

I hope this helps.

Let me know how you get on.

[RachelModerator Moderator]

Hello Ebs1108

Please do not think that you are a failure. All children respond differently to the introduction of solids and the most important thing to remember is to keep everything related to eating/food fun and avoid putting any pressure or expectation on baby or yourself!

Are you making sure to always offer the food before her bottle to enable her to feel hungry?

How is she in the high chair etc when you offer foods, could it be that putting her off rather than the food itself?

Can you introduce some sensory/messy play with items that are safe for her to eat and explore that way?