6 Month Old Won't Eat

I wouldn't worry a bit. My oldest daughter didn't show interest in solids until 9 months old and stayed in the 90th percentile for growth the whole time. Think of it this way, you may have a few extra months of less stinky diapers and not having to get food stains out of her clothes! There is absolutely no reason to push the issue by forcing food in her mouth either with the spoon or with an "infant feeder"(frowned on by most pediatricians). If she isn't interested, wait a few weeks, her gut may not be ready for solids and not opening her mouth is her way of telling you that. No panicking necessary!

My number five child refused to eat anything when she was first introduced to cereal. So, I decided to mix it with her formula and give it to her by the bottle, until she was a little bit older and then try to spoon feed again. It worked wonders. She slept better, and didn't fuss as much. I tried the spoon again at about 7 months (been so long, I can't remember for sure), she took to it like she'd been spoon fed her entire life. Good luck. Each child is different. As I said she was number five. None of the older kids ever refused food, so this was a new one for me too.

I think it's Graco that makes an infant feeder--it looks like a bottle, but it's a vacuum system and has a nipple with a large hole in it. You load it with cereal and/or fruit, maybe veggies, and she "drinks it" out of a more familiar vessal. Maybe she doesn't like the taste, you could try barley or oats; of maybe she doesn't like the texture--and I can't say I blame her on either account. But the truth is, some infants never eat baby food, per. She's old enough to try some cheerios or other whole grain cereals,with supervision; maybe she'll just move onto things she can feed herself.

A lot of babies don't like the texture/taste of baby foods at first. It's okay...the only reason for solids in the first year is practice. Your daughter will get all the nutrition she needs from breastmilk or formula. Just keep trying every now and then and she'll figure out soon enough what food is! There is no need for panic, I promise. I have also read that babies have more taste buds than adults, so they are more apt to need many, many tries before they decide if they like something. Don't let it get you worried, just have fun with it...she'll get it!
~L.

Reguardless of what doctors say, if you start your baby on some fruits, they do not become veggie haters later, nor do they crave only sweets. I gave both my daughters applesauce in the cereal at first, and they both will eat every kind of veggie known to man, even ones I refuse to eat! Giving something sweetish with the food makes it more appetizing. I used the unsweeten applesauce with cinnamon in it, and only cereal at first. Also make sure that the first few times the cereal is more liquidy then solid, and slowly make it with more texture. Finally, if she still refuses to eat, then let it go, its not worth fighting over. Good Luck!!

L., I work at a preschool. There is a little girl there about the same age as your child who also will not eat anything but Cheerios and her bottle of milk. The ladies working with her think that she will eat from a spoon if she isn't given anything to eat for breakfast. This sounds cruel but I understand the thought process there. If the child is really hungry, she will probably eat whatever is given to her, including the way it is given (i.e., a spoon). I think it is a good idea although I know it would be difficult to let her "starve" for a little while. It certainly won't hurt her though. If you have concerns, call your pediatrician and see what they say about it.

Your baby doesn't need food, she isn't ready, wait a month and try again, and keep doing that until she is, some like food early on, some take longer they are content and see no rush, not a big deal. I don't start (feeding) until mine start showing interest in the food on my plate.

I have a 6 month old as well. The only reason for solids in the first year is practice. All the nutrition they need is from breastmilk or formula. Please don't worry too much about this!