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Q:

How do I handle my baby's resistance to trying new foods or textures?

Hi everyone,

I have a 10-month-old baby who is not very willing to try new foods or textures. No matter how much I try to introduce her to new things, she just pushes them away and refuses to eat. This is becoming a major issue as we want to make sure she is getting all the necessary nutrients in her diet.

I'm not sure if this is a common problem or if there is something that I'm doing wrong. I've tried making different purees and even mixing in familiar foods but nothing seems to work. I'm getting frustrated because I want her to learn to enjoy a variety of foods and not become a picky eater.

Any advice or tips on how to handle this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

All Replies

hartmann.paula

Hi all,

I faced a similar issue with my daughter when she was around 6 months old. She refused to eat anything that wasn't pureed or mashed. After trying a few things, I found that the following tips were helpful:

1. Be creative with purees: If your baby is comfortable with purees, try introducing new foods by mixing them in with familiar purees. This way, your baby can get used to the new flavors without feeling overwhelmed by the texture.

2. Keep portions small: Start with small portions and gradually increase it as your baby gets used to the new foods. This can help them feel less intimidated by the new flavors or textures.

3. Get messy: Introducing food doesn't have to be a perfect experience. Encourage your baby to get messy with their food and have fun while exploring new tastes and textures.

4. Offer different textures: Gradually introduce new textures to your baby from soft to crunchy. This way, your baby can gradually get used to different textures without getting overwhelmed.

5. Talk to your pediatrician: If your baby continues to struggle with introducing new foods or textures, consult with your pediatrician. They can give you advice tailored to your baby's specific needs.

Remember that every baby is different, so be patient and keep trying. It takes time for babies to get used to new foods, so don't give up!

myrna45

Hello everyone,

I went through a similar situation with my daughter when she was around 9 months old. She was refusing to try new foods or textures, and mealtimes were becoming quite stressful. Here are a few tips that worked for us:

1. Get creative with presentation: Sometimes, it's not just the taste, but also the way the food looks that can put off a baby. So, try to make the food visually appealing by making fun shapes, using colorful vegetables, or offering food in different containers.

2. Stick to a routine: Babies thrive on routines, so try to stick to a consistent mealtimes routine. This means having breakfast, lunch, and dinner at around the same time every day.

3. Don't force it: It can be tempting to force a baby to try something new, but this can be counterproductive. Instead, offer the new food alongside familiar foods and let them explore the new food at their own pace.

4. Start with the familiar: If your baby is not receptive to new foods or textures, start with a new food that has a similar taste to the one they already like. For example, if they like carrot puree, try introducing butternut squash puree.

5. Offer breastfeeding or bottle before meals: If your baby is hungry, they may not be eager to try something new. So, offer breastmilk or formula before mealtimes to take the edge off their hunger.

Remember, every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. So, don't get disheartened if your baby takes time to accept new foods. With patience and persistence, you will eventually get there.

yzulauf

Hello!

My daughter experienced the same when she was around 7 months old. She refused most foods that were not purees even though she had started on solids a few months earlier. Here's what worked for me:

1. Timing is key: Introduce new foods when your baby is not too hungry, and avoid trying something new right before a nap or bedtime. You don't want your little one to be too cranky when trying a new food.

2. Make mealtime fun: Let your baby explore the food on their own. Offer small portions and let them explore it with their hands or fingers. Eating should be a fun and sensory experience for them.

3. Be consistent: Keep introducing new foods to your baby, even if they initially refuse them. Babies need time to get comfortable with new flavors and textures, so try the same food a few times before considering it a failure.

4. Mix and match: Try mixing new foods with familiar ones to make the transition easier. For example, mix mashed sweet potato with mashed peas.

5. Take your time: Don't rush mealtime. Let your baby take their time to eat and savor their food.

Remember, every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. So, try different things and see what your baby responds well to. Good luck!

bparisian

Hello all,

I went through a similar situation with my son when he was around 11 months old. He would refuse to eat anything with a new texture or taste. Here are a few tips that I tried that may help:

1. Offer variety: Offer your baby a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and proteins. This can prevent your baby from becoming bored with a particular food.

2. Let your baby lead: Allow your baby to lead the way during mealtime. Offer new finger foods, and let them decide whether they want to try it or not.

3. Consistency is key: Consistency is essential for babies, so try to develop a mealtime routine. Sit at the table together and offer new foods with familiar ones. This consistency can reassure your baby and help them feel comfortable.

4. Be patient: Remember to be patient and give your little one time to adjust to new tastes and textures. Some babies need more time than others, so keep trying and introducing new foods.

5. Keep it simple: Keep your baby's meals simple and avoid adding too many spices or flavors, especially if they are new to solid foods.

I hope these tips help, and remember to be patient - every child is different and will have their journey when it comes to solid foods. Good luck!

weissnat.jay

Hi there,

I had a similar experience with my son when he was around 9 months old. He would refuse to eat anything that wasn't a puree or something he was already familiar with. Here are some tips that worked for me:

1. Keep trying: Don't give up on offering new foods. It took my son several tries with certain foods before he learned to enjoy them.

2. Gradual introduction: Try introducing new textures gradually. For example, if your baby is used to smooth purees, try adding some small chunks of soft vegetables to their usual puree to slowly get them used to different textures.

3. Be patient: Remember that it's normal for babies to be reluctant to try new things, especially when it comes to food. Keep offering new foods in small amounts and eventually your baby will become more adventurous.

4. Lead by example: Eat a variety of healthy foods in front of your baby to show them that it's normal and enjoyable to try new things.

5. Get creative: Try mixing different foods together or adding new flavors to familiar foods to make them more appealing to your baby.

Hope these tips help and don't give up!

gregoria.ortiz

Greetings everyone,

I faced a similar problem with my son when he was about 8 months old. He would not take any new textures and would only eat purees that we had already introduced before. Here are some tips that worked for us:

1. Involve your baby in meal preparation: Invite your baby to the kitchen and allow them to watch you cut, chop or prepare meals. This can make mealtime more fun and engaging for them.

2. Offer food from your plate: Offer your baby small bites of the same foods that you are eating. This way, they feel included in the mealtime and can get used to new textures at their own pace.

3. Seasoning: Try adding different seasonings to the food you offer your baby. This way, they can learn to enjoy different flavors, and it will make mealtime more interesting.

4. Appeal to their senses: Babies learn about different foods through their senses, so try to offer foods with different colors, textures, and smells, making their meals appealing to them.

5. Don't give up: It can be frustrating, but take your time and keep trying. Sometimes, it can take up to ten trials before a baby is comfortable with a new food.

Remember, every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. So, try different things and see what your baby responds well to. Don't forget to be patient, and you will get there!

ykunde

Hi there,

My experience with my son was similar when he was around 7 months old. He refused to eat anything that was not pureed or mashed. Here are some tips that helped us:

1. Introduce one new food at a time: Introduce one new food at a time, and wait for a few days before introducing another. This way, you can see if your baby likes the new food or if it causes any allergies or problems.

2. Be persistent: Babies can take some time to accept new foods, so be persistent and keep offering the same food multiple times. Sometimes, it takes up to ten trials before they accept it.

3. Positive reinforcement: Praise your baby when they eat a new food or something they usually don't like. This can encourage them to try new foods in the future.

4. Baby-led weaning: Try baby-led weaning, where you offer finger foods, and let your baby guide you. Let them eat at their own pace and offer soft finger foods.

5. Make it fun: Mealtime should be fun, interactive, and enjoyable. Play music, sing songs, give toys, and make eye contact with your baby while eating.

Remember, every baby is different, and it can be a slow journey to get them to accept new foods. However, keep trying, and with patience and perseverance, you will get there. Good luck!

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