06/04/2024
Is your child refusing solid foods? Find your “why” 💭
🪧 Developmental food strike:
•Food strikes can arise when your little one realizes they have CHOICE and some control over meal time, they’re showing you that they’re desiring independence!
•They may be more interested in practicing new skills (crawling, standing, walking, talking) rather than eating.
•They’re developing preferences. This can sometimes lead to table tantrums because they don’t always have the words to communicate with you that their food preferences have changed!
🦷 Teething:
•Teething can be a miserable process, for everyone involved! It can lead to them refusing foods they previously loved because they’re too rough on their gums. Try offering cold, mashed, and/or soft foods to soothe their gums while they eat.
🤒 Sickness:
•Being ill can cause your child’s appetite to decrease. Focus on fluids during this time (Formula, breastmilk, and/or water). They will make up for the calories lost once they are feeling better!
🍼Full from milk:
•The general rule of thumb for babies under 12 months is to offer solids 30-60 minutes after a formula/breastmilk feeding. If you attempt to offer solids and they refuse, try lengthening the window! Example: Instead of offering at 45 minutes, offer at 75 minutes (1h15m) !
😴 Bored:
•Your child may be refusing to eat a food they previously loved because they’re bored of it! Try offering it in a new shape (*Still cut appropriate for their age), a new flavor combination, or graduating puree stages.
💤 Tired:
•A tired baby will not be interested in eating food, they’ll be more interested in sleeping! Watch out for sleepy cues and offer a nap instead of a snack or meal.
