My Baby is 10 Months Old and Doesn't Eat Properly

by Ellie
(Toronto, Canada)

My 10 month old baby was an exclusively breastfeed baby since birth and we started introducing food when she was 7 months but she is just not interested in food, not her food any ways and hates to eat from a spoon.

My food she wants, but more out of curiosity than anything else. I let her try some time if is not something offending to her. She'll play with it around and then throw it out.

I'm extremely worried about her iron levels since she is not getting it from anywhere, but the Dr says breast milk is good and all she needs until a year and not to worry about, but he also offered to do a blood test which I didn't do.

She is a healthy baby and is hitting all the milestones in time if not before, but I do know of some babies that at this stage are eating 3 course meals 3 times a day and my baby in nibbling here and there. What do you think?

Sorry about the mess if I don't make much sense typing one handed here.

TIA!

Baby Help Line Response:

Tips For Babies That Reject Baby Food

I completely understand your concern! It's tough when you have a very picky eater, especially during this half year when babies are supposed to transit from breast milk and formula to solid foods.

The first thing I would do in your situation is to accept the doctor's offer of a blood test. As I'm sure you know since your pregnancy, it is a really simple and quick test.

Most likely, your daughter's iron levels are just fine and the test results will take a whole lot of worrying off your back. If not, you'll have the doctor's attention!

But since your daughter is healthy and alert, she really is likely to be OK.

As for your daughter's eating... That is one milestone she is obviously not reaching early, but if she is healthy it doesn't really matter. My youngest was a bit like your daughter; it took the longest time for him to accept anything but bananas. Well over one year he was still very picky, but improving.

What I do is I try to offer him a variety of different tastes and sometimes (usually not) he finds something that he likes. And then I also give him his favorite foods, so that I can be sure that he eats at least something.

Funny thing - he is not skinny, very normal, and he grows perfectly along his growth curves. I've visited a nurse to measure him from time to time to stop my own worrying.

I really think you seem to be doing what you can. You are not trying to force your baby, rather offer her foods, which is good.

Give her finger foods if she seems to enjoy that and offer her pieces of healthy foods also in between meals, to not make such a big deal of her eating.

She'll get there!

Paula

Comments for
My Baby is 10 Months Old and Doesn't Eat Properly

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Jan 29, 2008

picky baby
by: Anonymous

Hi, My baby was a lot like this as well. I recommend offering lots of different foods and different textures as well. My little girl still refuses if the cereal is too runny. Also, keep offering foods even if she refuses them the first 10 or 20 times. She may just need to get used to the flavors/texture.

Oct 04, 2009

My baby refuses to eat too
by: LUTFIA KAMAL

My baby boy is 9 months and he also still doesn't eat

I started feeding him at the 1st day in his 7th month. He just accepted to eat during that day and then he doesn't let me feed him any more !

After some weeks I tried to change the spoon then he accept his food but for some days and return to his habit.

I'll try to give hime another types of food as you say.

thanks

May 28, 2012

10 months and very fussy NEW
by: tasmin

hi all.my son is 10months and is very fussy about foods. he first got his lower teeth then the two top ones also looked like a small vampire.i have tried everthing for him to eat .he will only eat 2 spoons for the most but give him a biltong stick he even cries when you take it from him.so far i think as long as he is breastfeeding its okay.he has gained weight although he teeths with his tummy.im just concernedand need to know what affect medication has on him if i have flu.

May 29, 2012

Check meds with a doctor NEW
by: Paula (Easy Baby Life)

Hi Tasmin,
Great that you're letting your little guy go slowly with the baby food if that's what he wants. He will eat just like all of us eventually. :-)

Regarding medicines affecting your son through your breast milk, do call a doctor or ask in the pharmacy about it. A lot of things to enter the breast milk, although usually is such small amounts that it isn't a concern. But still worth checking!

Best, Paula

May 29, 2012

crawl/walking blues NEW
by: Anonymous

its me again tasmin.why is that my baby wont use his walking ring.he sits okay in his chair,he wants me to keep him by the arms so that he can walk and this is very tiring. is it ok to buy cobbler shoes for him to support his ankles or should i wait only 10months.he does crawl only on the bed

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