#7: Help! My baby is 6 months old but not interested in food

Hello and welcome to Episode 7 of Introducing Solids with Weanish. I'm your host, Rennae Hoare, children's nutritionist, mum and founder of the infant and toddler feeding marketplace, Weanish. Today's topic is one direct from our community. I was recently asked on Instagram, "Help, my baby is six months old but not interested in food. What should I do?" If, like this mama, you've hit the six-month milestone and your bub still isn't interested in food, this episode is for you.

Starting solids can be a mix of excitement and worry. It's an adventure that comes with unique challenges. Today we'll explore why this might be happening and, most importantly, what steps you can take to support your baby and ensure success. It is an exciting milestone, but it doesn't always go as planned. Some babies dive right in, while others are slow to start or don't show interest at all. Now, this is completely normal, as each baby will develop at their own pace and remember you are exactly where you need to be, and so is your baby.

It's common for some babies to take this time warming up to solids. Don't forget, they've only known breast milk or formula as their source of nutrition so far, and solids can take time to figure out. Babies often explore the world with all of their senses, and food is no different. For some babies, touching, squishing or simply staring at the food is their way of familiarising themselves with it. They're learning and absorbing so much in these moments, even if they're not eating it. So, today we'll dive into the developmental, sensory and practical reasons behind this behaviour and how you can help make mealtimes more engaging and enjoyable for your little one.

So, firstly, we need to go back to ensuring that those readiness signs have been met. So, if you've already listened to that episode, this is a quick recap If you haven't go back to episode one of Introducing Solids with Weanish to learn more about the readiness signs. So before you dive into solids, it's essential to make sure your baby is truly ready. Developmental readiness is a key factor in how your baby will respond to food. So you really want to look for these signs. Good head control, sitting upright with minimal support and interest in food. Does your baby watch you eat? Do they reach for food on your plate or try to grab your spoon? These are signs they're ready to start exploring solids. If your baby doesn't show any of these signs yet, don't worry, babies develop at their own pace, which we've already established, and pushing solids before they're ready can lead to frustration for both of you. Instead, keep including them at the table during mealtimes. Let them watch, smell and even touch food. This gentle exposure will prepare them for the transition when the time is right.

Readiness isn't just physical, it's emotional too. Some babies might feel overwhelmed by the new experience of eating, and that's okay. Your job is to create a calm, supportive environment where they feel safe to explore, and if you need to, it's completely fine to wait a week or two and reassess as you go.

Now, the other thing you need to start thinking about is what else is happening in their world. Sometimes your baby might be developmentally ready for solids but still seem disinterested, so in these cases it's helpful to look at external factors that could be influencing their behaviour. For example, teething: Sore gums can make eating very uncomfortable. If your baby is teething, you might notice them drooling more, chewing on everything or having red swollen gums. They may be playing with their ears, so you can offer cool soft foods like chilled cucumber sticks, yogurt or a silicon teether with a small amount of frozen puree to soothe their discomfort.

They could also be ill. A stuffy nose, fever or general discomfort can make mealtime unappealing. During these times, focus on keeping your baby hydrated with breast milk or formula, continue offering solids in a no-pressure way, and trust that their interest will return when they're feeling better.

The other really important one to think about is your high chair and how comfortable it is. A poorly fitted high chair can distract your baby from focusing on the food in front of them. A footrest is imperative, so make sure your baby's hips, knees and feet are supported at 90 degree angles. If your high chair doesn't have an adjustable footrest, use a rolled towel or a small box under their feet for support, or you can purchase an additional footrest for some highchairs. Weanish.com has a great selection.

Paying attention to these factors can make a big difference. A comfortable, healthy baby is far more likely to engage with food than one who is in pain or who is distracted.

The third thing to think about is, starting solids is very important for their iron intake, but it's also an important sensory experience. So if you introduce food slowly and playfully, solids can be a completely different experience. For babies, touching, squishing and even throwing food is all part of learning what food is and how to interact with it. While it can be messy and sometimes frustrating, remember that this exploration is essential for their development.

Start with bigger pieces and make sure you're offering food that is age appropriate and easy for your baby to grip. So, from six months old you want to serve in finger-sized portions so the baby can use their whole hand to grab. That's why larger pieces are better, because they use a palmer grasp. They have yet to develop their pincer grip. As they age they will start using that forefinger and thumb, and pieces can be cut into smaller sections, diced, from about nine months old.

Make sure you also engage all of their senses. So, talk to your baby about the food. Describe its texture, colour and taste. "This is a soft orange carrot. It's sweet and yummy". Let them smell the food before tasting it. They might even enjoy rubbing it on their faces or in between their fingers to feel its texture.

Now, importantly, make solids fun. Tap into your baby's natural curiosity. Let them squish purees between their fingers or bang a spoon against the tray. The goal is to increase nutrition, but also to build positive associations with food. Don't worry if more foods end up on the floor than in their mouths. Learning to eat is a process and every squish, smear and taste is a step in the right direction.

Now, also think about the environment with which your baby's eating. Babies are incredibly perceptive and can pick up on your emotions, so if you're feeling anxious or frustrated about mealtime, they're likely to sense it. So, that's why creating a calm, confident and enjoyable atmosphere is so important.Try and set the mood a little, play music and make the space calm and inviting. Avoid distractions like TV, iPads or phones even loud conversations that can overstimulate your baby. Importantly, you should be modelling your mealtime behaviour. Sit down and eat with your baby. Show them how you pick up food, chew and enjoy it. Exaggerate your movements and make it fun, "Mmm, this broccoli is so yummy." Babies learn by watching, so be their best role model. You can even talk to them about what you're doing, "Chew, chew, chew and swallow".

Focus on connection. Mealtime is about more than just food. It's an opportunity to connect with your baby. Make eye contact, smile and talk to them throughout the meal. This connection helps them feel secure and more willing to try new things. It is also a great way of letting them see how social mealtimes can be. Remember, your baby's interest in food will grow as you feel more comfortable and confident. Keep mealtimes relaxed and pressure-free and trust that progress will come in time.

Another thing you can think about is the feeding schedule. Timing can make or break a mealtime. A baby who is too full from a recent milk feed or too tired before a nap is less likely to engage with solids. Here's how to find the sweet spot. Keep your regular milk feeds and aim to offer solids 30 minutes after a milk feed. This ensures your baby isn't too full or too hungry, but has its nutritional needs met with milk. Watch for sleep cues. A well-rested baby is more likely to be curious and playful during meals. If your baby is showing signs of tiredness, like rubbing their eyes or yawning, try adjusting the mealtime to an earlier slot when they're more alert. And finally, just experiment with your meal timings. Babies thrive on routine, but it's okay to tweak the schedule to find what works best for your little one. Remember, flexibility is key. Pay attention to your baby's cues and adjust the schedule as needed to set them up for success.

Now, if you've tried all these things and nothing else is working, think about exploring different approaches. If traditional spoon feeding isn't working, it might be time to try a new approach. Baby-led weaning is an excellent alternative that lets your baby take control of their eating experience. This method allows babies to self-feed from the very beginning, using their hands to pick up and explore food at their own pace. Try finger foods first, so offer safe options like steamed broccoli florets, spears of ripe mango or strips of soft toast. Finger foods also allow babies to engage their senses fully, touching and tasting food as they learn. Experiment with textures. Introduce a variety of tastes and textures to keep your baby curious and engaged. You can also serve them side by side. You can do spoon feeding and baby led weaning or finger foods side by side and let your baby decide which texture they would like to explore.

Okay, now that takes us to our action steps. Here are practical steps you can take right now to help your baby engage with food and enjoy mealtime.

One - model positive mealtime behaviour. Sit down with your baby and eat the same foods. Show them how you pick up food, chew and enjoy it. Babies are natural imitators and watching you eat can encourage them to give it a try.

Two - encourage sensory exploration. Allow your baby to touch and play with their food without pressure to eat it. For example, let them squish a slice of avocado or smear puree with their fingers. This tactile play helps them get comfortable with new textures.

Three - start small. Offer just one or two types of food during a meal. Too many options will overwhelm your baby. So try offering soft, easy-to-grasp foods like banana spears or steamed carrot sticks.

And lastly, be consistent but flexible. Keep offering meals at the same time every day, but if your baby is too tired or cranky, don't be afraid to adjust the schedule. Keep milk feeds spaced appropriately to encourage hunger without frustration.

Well, we covered a lot today and I want to give you a quick recap. Introducing solids can be challenging, but the journey doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Remember to focus on readiness signs, provide a calm and engaging environment and let your baby lead the way with exploration. Make mealtimes fun and include your baby when you eat. You'll find that soon your plate is going to look more appealing than their own. Don't forget, you can wait a week or two and reassess. If you feel like something isn't right, trust your gut and see your doctor. Mealtimes don't need to be stressful. Take each day as it comes and make mealtimes a positive time for family connection.

That's it for today. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I'll be here every Weanish Wednesday. If you found today's episode helpful, please leave a review and share it with a friend. It truly helps get the word out. And if you're ready to dive deeper, head over to weanish.com to shop all the weaning essentials and explore our resources.

So until next week, weanish and I remain your partners in feeding adventures.

Happy Weaning