Knowledgebase: Infant Feeding Problems

Questions about nursing, formulas, spitting up, and colic.

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7. My 7 month old won't take solid foods any longer - Top

Question: My son is 7 months and 2 weeks old. I started introducing solids at 4 months and he was doing very well. He showed all the signs of being ready ie. reaching for my food, savoring when he saw food, opened his mouth when he saw the spoon come, and took the food off the spoon well. However, the last couple of weeks he does not want to eat. He'll clench his mouth closed and will push the food out of his mouth with his tongue. He even turns his face to the side. He'll savor and make chewing movements when he see's his bowl, but will not open his mouth. I try and try but I don't want to force him; and, I don't want to stop giving it to him because I'm afraid he'll develop even more resistence when I start him on foods with texture. I've even thought of having an evaluationd done by either an Occupational therapist or Speech/Language Pathologist. What could have gone wrong?

Response: What you have described is a fairly uncommon situation. An infant may refuse solids for a few DAYS if he has mouth sores, a sore throat, or an ear infection for example. However, rejecting foods for several weeks in more uncommon. In this situation a careful evaluation should be done looking for the reason, including gastroesophageal reflux (esophagitis pain), abnormal swallowing mechanism (acalasia), and developmental problems.

- Updated: July 2, 2001

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James L Horwitz, MD

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