I started my daughter on rice cereal. She wouldn't open her mouth and when I was able to sneak some in, she would gag. I tried for about a week with no improvement. So, I figured we'd just start with baby food. I have been giving, or trying to give, her bananas for almost a week. She sees the spoon and purses her lips together. Is she not ready yet? I can't imagine that she's not! Also, when do y'all think it's best feed.....before nursing, after, or somewhere in between? I'm going crazy and would love some tips and helpful suggestions. THANKS!!!
J.
She really may not be ready. Maybe try the foods before nursing. If she's full she just may not want to eat anymore.
She sounds like she just is not completely ready for solids yet.
Give her a little more time, maybe when she turns 7 mths old she'll be more ready.
My first born wasn't completely ready for solids until about 7 mths old. Even at 7 mths, she'll most likely eat very little of the solids.
Your doing nothing wrong! She's just still a little to young and will be ready soon.
Good luck to you!
Like the others said, you really aren't behind. I would suggest sticking with only cereal to start (they usually suggest rice, my son only ate oatmeal). Make it super milky, so you can barely tell there is any solids at all, and slowly make it thicker as she takes it. I didn't start offering the jarred fruits and veggies until he was doing moderately well with cereal. There's no hurry. She'll take it when she's ready. As someone else suggested, try giving a little milk first so she isn't so hungry, the try the cereal mixed with breastmilk (or formula), then go back to finish her on milk again.
Hey ... she'll eat eventually - just keep offering it to her. In getting them used to solid food - I always suggest feeding one side, solid food, then nurse other side. However, that can sometimes make for a super long process and one to try mostly when at home. Everyone does their own thing ... so eventually, I'd just finish the entire nursing session then feed solid. If she'll not be too upset, then you could try the solids first when she's not starvin and then use nursing to 'wash it down'.
Breast milk solely is still fine at this point ... I think at 6 months solids are just to improve in their motor skills. However, you can still keep trying ... maybe rest for a few days. Also if she is gagging a lot, then the cereal could very well be too thick. Thick cereal can most certainly make a baby gag.
Hope this helps!
S. :-D
ps: I'm in Allen, so not too far from you! :-)
My son never did do well with eating from a spoon. HE NEVER WOULD EAT BABY FOOD! He refused the rice cereal, even if I put it in his formula in the bottle! He did a little better with oatmeal. I finally gave up trying to feed him myself and started giving him diced fruit and veggies. I used to bake a sweet potato and dice it up. He also like diced bananas. I think it was mostly his independent personality and wanted to do everything on his own. Those Sweet Puffs snacks are really great too. They dissolve in their mouths so little chance of them choking. You may just have an independent little one like I do.! good luck
I would not force it on her, she may not be ready. My daughter did the same thing with solids (gag). I finally just waited a few days and then tried again. She eventually took it and did great. I would just give her a couple of days and then try again. She will eat when she is ready, I promise. Hope this helps, I know it can be frustrating.
