Skip to main content

Is your baby not eating solid foods? Here’s what could be going on

Here's why baby might say no to solid foods

When babies are first introduced to solid foods, they tend to already have a preference for what they like. Some babies like vegetables more than they like fruits, while others prefer the sweet taste of fruits over veggies. They usually take to eating solid foods quite quickly and enjoy them very much. Let’s face it, once a baby starts on solid food, all they want to do is eat.

When your munchkin seems to enjoy food so much, what happens when they suddenly refuse solids? Or, what do you do if your little one begins eating solids, but then stops eating them entirely? Don’t panic! This is something that happens commonly with little ones and isn’t something to be too concerned about. Let’s go over why your hungry hippo is rejecting solid foods and what you should do about it.

A parent feeding a baby some baby food

If your baby is just starting out on solid foods

When babies are first introduced to solid foods, don’t be surprised if they automatically try to spit it back out. They may also gag a little bit, which is not to be confused with choking.

For babies, it is all about texture. All adults have those “texture issue” foods that they just won’t eat, no matter what. Babies are the same, and it’s more normal because it’s their first time trying it. When they feel the new texture on their tongue and in the back of their throat, they’re not used to it — which means you could wind up dealing with a spit-out mess.

Typically, parents start introducing solids to their babies between 4 to 6 months old. If your child is at this stage and spitting out their food, they might just have to get used to the new texture. If your baby is not eating solids at all, they could not be ready for this step yet, and that is okay!

Baby in high chair with milk and cereal.

If your baby is a little older and been on solid foods for a bit

By 8 months of age, your baby should most definitely be interested in eating solid foods. If they are still refusing, it might come down to a sensory issue.

There could also be the problem of coordination. It actually takes a lot of work for babies to eat solids – from opening their mouth to getting the food off the spoon to swallowing the food without any issues – it’s a whole process.

There is also the possibility that your baby could be bored with their food. You may just move on to finger foods, which might pique their interest better.

But if you notice your baby excessively spitting out the food when you try to feed them, or they are continuing to gag, you could reach out to their pediatrician to see what they recommend.

A mother feeding her baby

If they stop eating solid foods altogether

Some babies have no problem with solid foods in the beginning, but then you notice they are refusing them all of a sudden. There are a few reasons why this could be happening.

Baby is sick

If your baby has a cold or a virus that makes it hard for them to breathe through their nose, they may literally turn their nose up at solid foods. If you remove the mucus from their nose, they might try to eat again.

Baby is teething

Another common reason they refuse solids is they are teething. Teething makes babies feel terrible all around — some even run a fever. They’re certainly not going to want to put solid foods into their mouth because their mouth and gums be swollen, red, and sore.

The whole notion of chewing is painful, and they will keep that mouth clamped shut. Offering liquids like smoothies or frozen items like homemade popsicles will help soothe those gums and get food in that tiny tummy.

A baby eating baby food

When it’s time to get outside help

If your baby is still refusing solid foods at the age of 7 to 8 months, it’s worth giving their pediatrician a call. You might even need to bring your little one in for a quick checkup so the doctor can tell you exactly why your child is not eating or tolerating solid foods. They might end up referring you to a pediatric dietitian with specialized expertise in that field.

Oftentimes, the reasons babies refuse solid foods are simple and nothing to worry about. Either they’re not ready, they’re not used to the texture, or they’re not feeling great. (Don’t we all prefer soup when we’re under the weather?)

Know that it’s a natural part of your little one’s development. After you’ve checked all the boxes, you will have your baby well on their way to eating — and enjoying — solid foods again!

Editors' Recommendations

Get the family on a healthy eating kick in 2023 with these simple weeknight meals
Recipes for easy and healthy meals the whole family will love in 2023
A family eating a big holiday meal together

After the busiest time of the year, getting back to healthy eating can be a challenge for many families. It's often easier to opt for quick, fast, and not necessarily healthy meals, especially when you're a busy family. Let's face it, the hustle and bustle of the holidays often mean grabbing dinner on the go and feeding kids in the car between activities, which compromises nutrition for convenience. Not to mention the countless holiday meals and treats that dominate the month of December.

Now that the new year is here, it's a great time to commit to eating healthier, but we all know that the secret to success is finding healthy family recipes that are also easy weeknight meals. Busy families don't have the time to go grocery shopping for ingredients every day, nor do they have time to spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals. If you're looking to start eating healthier as a family in 2023, check out these easy weeknight meals that the whole family will enjoy and won't take a chef's touch to create.

Read more
A family’s guide to healthy living in 2023, according to an expert
Learn how to make healthy lifestyle changes for the whole family in 2023
Parent putting together a colorful lunch

Getting healthy always tops the list of New Year's resolutions every January, but it's easier said than done, especially when it comes to kids. Putting children on the path to a healthy lifestyle is the gift that keeps on giving. So why not get the whole family on the path to healthy living? Not sure how to get started? Don't worry. We've got an easy guide for healthy habits for families right from registered dietician, pediatric nutritionist, and mom, Ali Bandier.

Be a positive role model
Like anything else, getting your family to embrace healthy living starts with being a good role model. Bandier emphasizes how much influence parents have over their children in regard to food and healthy eating habits. The environment you have in your home and especially at mealtime impacts the relationship your kids have with food. Bandier also points out it's a tightrope walk with how parents positively or negatively influence kids on their eating habits.

Read more
5 holiday purees for baby to include them in the Christmas feast
Include your little one at the dinner table with holiday purees for baby
Baby eating puree in a highchair at Christmas

Time spent together with friends and family during the holidays is what we are excited about the most all year. The delicious meals are what we look forward to the second most. For parents toting around infants, being able to offer yuletide-themed, homemade baby food gets everyone in the spirit of the season and includes family members of every age.

From sweet, roasted squash to velvety smooth, gravy-topped turkey purees, our list of festive favorites will have your little ones smacking their lips for more. If you're looking to whip up some holiday-inspired baby food recipes, then we have five great options to embody the holiday cheer in all of us. Let’s see what scrumptious dishes we’ve got cooking for your precious babe in toyland.

Read more