10+ Reasons Why Your Baby Won’t Eat Solids (And What To Do)

If you’re wondering why your baby won’t eat solids, you’re in the right place. It’s a common feeding frustration among many new (and even seasoned) parents! Each baby is unique in their willingness to accept new foods or progress through different flavours and textures. Here’s why your baby may be struggling with solid foods, and some practical strategies from a pediatric dietitian (and mom of three!).

You are not alone if your baby isn’t digging solids and you’re finding that most of the food served ends up all over the highchair or on the floor.  In most cases, this is normal, and your baby is likely eating what they need if you are paying close attention to cues.

Starting solids is not always an easy road (in fact, there are usually quite a few bumps…) but that doesn’t mean it needs to be a frustrating or anxiety-inducing experience. I’ve got your back, and am here to help you navigate the common roadblocks that may pop up along the way!

In this post, I’ll dive into the most common reasons that your baby may be refusing (or not warming up to) solid foods, and shed light on why this may be happening. (By the way, you may also be wondering why your toddler is refusing to eat, too, which I’ve covered in another comprehensive post). I’ll also share my top tips on how to make the transition to solids as smooth and enjoyable as possible (for both you and baby!), and how to ensure your baby is getting what they need nutrition-wise. Here’s what this post will cover:

1. They are not developmentally ready to eat solids
2. They are not hungry enough to eat
3. They are too tired to eat
4. They are feeling unwell
5. They are experiencing gas or constipation
6. They are experiencing pain from teething
7. They are too distracted to eat
8. Their highchair isn’t quite right for them
9. They prefer a different texture
10. They are overwhelmed with too much or too many foods in front of them
11. The food is too small or too awkward to pick up
12. They feel too much pressure

Top reasons your baby may be rejecting solids foods

There are many reasons why your baby might be struggling with solids, and most of them aren’t cause for worry! In fact, a few simple tweaks to mealtime might make a world of difference. Let’s unpack 10+ common reasons together.

Baby is not developmentally ready to eat solids

Let’s start with perhaps the most obvious but often overlooked reason. Is your baby developmentally ready to explore real food? While the consensus suggests introducing solids around the age of 6 months, not all babies magically transition into this phase on their 6-month birthday. Developmental readiness varies, with some showing signs at 5 ½ months, while others might take until 6.5 months.

As a parent or caregiver, being attuned to these milestones is what’s most important. Here are key indicators that your baby might NOT be ready to embark on their solid food journey:

• Their tongue thrust is still strong. In babies, tongue thrust is a natural reflex for pushing food away from their throat to avoid choking. When your baby pushes solid food out of their mouth using their tongue, it’s called the extrusion reflex (it’s also referred to as the tongue-thrust reflex) and is meant to prevent choking. If this reflex is still really strong, baby might not be ready for solids.
• They struggle to sit up independently or even with some assistance, and tire easily.
• They display little interest in solid foods.
• Poor head control is evident.
• They are unable to grasp food or a spoon and bring it to their mouth.
• Oral motor skills necessary for chewing and gnawing haven’t fully developed yet.

My advice: If you’re seeing any of the above in your baby, it may mean they need a little more time before they are ready to start eating solids, which is 100% OK! If your baby is older than 7 months and still showing the above signs, it is best to connect with their pediatrician, Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist, Pediatric Occupational Therapist or a registered pediatric dietitian for further individualized support.

They are not hungry enough to eat

A baby’s refusal to eat solids can often be as simple as them not feeling hungry. Makes sense doesn’t it? Like adults, babies may not always experience hunger at every mealtime. This likely isn’t cause for concern. Initially, you may notice patterns in their hunger, but these can shift and change over time depending on growth rates, activity levels, breastmilk or formula intake, timing of feeds and much more. Remember, between 6-8 months, much of a baby’s nutrition still comes from breast milk or formula, with their appetite for solids growing as they do and as they wean.

My advice: It’s crucial to feed “responsively”, meaning that you feed according to their hunger and fullness cues. This may mean that what you plan to serve your baby isn’t what they actually eat. You may need to adjust their feeding schedule and/or the amount that you offer accordingly. Rather than imposing a rigid routine, try to go with the flow of your baby’s changing appetite, respecting their autonomy in eating.

They are too tired to eat

Sometimes food is rejected simply because a baby is too tired to eat. All it might take is a simple adjustment to your schedule – perhaps shifting lunch an hour earlier – to align with baby’s appetite. When a meal is presented too close to nap time or bedtime, your baby may enter the meal feeling agitated, frustrated and unwilling to explore foods.

My advice: It’s important to leave at least an hour between the beginning of a meal and the beginning of nap time to ensure that baby is alert, happy and hungry.

They are feeling unwell

I don’t know about you, but when I feel unwell, I want nothing to do with food. Babies are no different! Babies who are experiencing symptoms such as congestion, cough, ear infection, sore throat, upset stomach, fatigue, or gastroesophageal reflux will likely show less interest in solid foods.

My advice: When your little one isn’t feeling well try your best to prioritize liquids and hydrating foods that your baby seems interested in, to keep them hydrated. This may include liquids such as breastmilk or formula (for younger babies), or cows’ milk, diluted juices, or smoothies for toddlers older than 1 year. Rehydration solutions may be required if your little one has a fever or is losing a lot of fluid through vomiting or diarrhea. Consult with your baby’s pediatrician or family doctor if this is the case.

They are experiencing gas or constipation

Starting solid foods means that your baby’s GI tract is going to go through a rollercoaster of change. It’s going to be exposed to new, different nutrients which will most definitely impact their gut microflora and bowel movements. Translation: They’re poop will change! Try not to be surprised if you spot larger chunks of the new foods in their stool during diaper changes – it might look a bit startling, but it’s a pretty common sight as their tiny digestive systems learn the ropes of breaking down solid foods.

The transition from easy-digesting breast milk or formula to more complex foods might also trigger some gas and even constipation in your baby. This shift can sometimes lead to a reduced appetite for solids, as they navigate through feelings of fullness, bloating, and a bit of discomfort. Just remember, it’s all part of the process, and each baby’s digestive journey is uniquely their own!

My advice: Go slow and offer a variety of foods, including fibre-containing foods such as veggies like carrots, grains like quinoa and oats, and fruits like berries at meal times. Fibre adds bulk and helps pull water into the stool, allowing a smoother journey through the digestive system. However, it’s also crucial that your baby is getting enough fluids. Sips of water should be offered during meals and snacks (I suggest offering in an open cup, or a straw cup). Without enough fluid present, the fibre present in the food can compact in the intestines, potentially contributing to constipation – the very issue we’re trying to prevent. If you have concerns about your child’s digestion and suspect there might be more to it, don’t hesitate to reach out to your baby’s pediatrician for a thorough assessment!

They are experiencing pain from teething

Every baby is different when it comes to how much pain they experience with teething. The arrival of their first tooth–often the central incisors on the top or bottom–can happen from as early as 4 months to as late as 12 months. This eruption of tiny teeth continues in waves until molars make their appearance at around 2 ½ to 3 years old. As you can imagine, breaking tiny teeth through swollen, tender gums might make chewing food less enticing for your baby. Here are some signs your baby might be teething:

• They may be more irritable than usual
• Excessive drooling, creating constant wetness on their face and down the front of their shirt (little bibs can be a game-changer to avoid multiple outfit changes!)
• Chewing or biting objects constantly to help relieve the pressure on their gums
• Red or swollen gums where the tooth is trying to surface
• Disrupted sleep patterns

My advice: Offer your baby frozen teething rings, a cold face cloth to chew on, or yogurt and fruit smoothie popsicles as a soothing snack. In the peak of teething pain, softer easy-to-chew foods such as oatmeal, yogurt, flaked soft fish, and purees may be more appealing to your little one. It’s ok to lean into these!

They are too distracted to eat

Your little one may be too distracted to focus on their food. Creating a distraction-free environment during meal and snack times, especially when your child is full of energy and curiosity, can feel like a challenge. Whether it’s pets or older siblings nearby, distractions are nearly everywhere! But there are ways to minimize these diversions to help your child focus more on the task at hand.

My advice: Strategically place the highchair away from busy areas (ideally at the family table), turn off electronic devices, and encourage older siblings to play in another room if they’re not eating. Aim for mealtime to be a dedicated window of time where distractions are minimized. A less distracted environment typically leads to a more enjoyable and positive meal experience for both you and your child.

Their highchair isn’t quite right for them

Selecting the right high chair is essential for creating a positive and secure eating environment for your baby, especially during the introduction of solid foods! A good high chair will offer features such as adequate foot and trunk support to prevent the baby from sinking into the chair and to maintain an upright posture. These features not only enhance comfort but also ensure a safe and enjoyable self-feeding experience.

My advice: If your baby tends to slouch or lean backward or to the side in their high chair, they might lack the proper support to focus on their food and their hunger (they’ll be paying more attention to keeping themselves upright!). This can lead to fatigue as they struggle to reach their food, potentially resulting in crankiness or upset feelings before their tummies are full. Check out my top tips on how to find the best highchair for your baby if you have a feeling this might be the cause of why your kiddo is struggling with eating solids.

They prefer a different texture

Navigating a baby’s food preferences and observing their unique inclinations towards different food textures is key. Every baby is different in this regard! The philosophy of responsive feeding encourages us to become attune to our baby’s cues and adapt accordingly. For some little ones, soft, safe finger foods are preferred (such as with baby-led weaning), whereas babies with sensory challenges may require a gentle introduction to new tastes and textures, starting first with smooth purees and doing a more gradual progression toward firmer textures.

My advice:  Be flexible and open with food textures and offer a variety ranging from smooth purees to soft safe finger foods. It may be surprising to discover that while your baby may not enjoy mashed banana, they LOVE eating banana “fingers,” for instance. Conversely, maybe your baby finds peanut butter in oatmeal more enjoyable than when it is spread on toast slices. The beauty lies in the exploration, allowing for a variety of textures and tastes to enrich your baby’s solid foods journey!

They are overwhelmed with too much or too many foods in front of them

Introducing too many foods at once or offering large portions during a meal may trigger a sense of overwhelm, hindering a baby’s ability to enjoy a meal. Babies, especially those new to solid foods, may feel daunted by the array of choices or the sheer volume of food on their tray. This can lead to disinterest, fussiness, or even a reluctance to eat.

My advice: Keeping mealtime simple by offering familiar foods alongside a new food or two (in small non-overwhelming portions) allows babies to explore flavors at their own pace, fostering a positive and enjoyable eating experience. And… you can always offer more if they cue for it!

The food is too small or too awkward to pick up

Serving foods in developmentally appropriate sizes is key.  At the beginning of their solid food journey, babies rely on their palmer grasp, using their hands in a raking motion to pick up pieces of food in their fists. It’s difficult for young feeders to handle small pieces of food that require a pincer grasp (pinching small pieces of food between thumb and index finger). This pincer grasp develops closer to 10 months of age. Similarly, awkward textures, like slices of slippery avocado or banana, can pose challenges in gripping.

My advice: Simple adjustments, such as rolling these foods in infant cereal can promote a better grip. When serving purees, yogurt or oatmeal, preloading a spoon for baby, or responsively spoon-feeding them yourself can be beneficial, especially if they are still mastering the skill of bringing a spoon to their mouth independently. Another idea to present tiny “haystack” piles of shredded apple or pear instead of thin slices that are difficult to pick up. Ensuring that the introduction of new foods and textures aligns with their developmental stage, helps to promote a more successful and enjoyable exploration of solid foods for your baby!

They feel too much pressure

Parents often resort to pressure tactics to ensure their baby or toddler consumes what they perceive as “enough” during meals. From the classic “airplane spoon” maneuver to hovering over baby in their highchair, these well-intentioned efforts may inadvertently lead to unpleasant consequences. Pressuring babies or toddlers at the table is a common trigger for food refusal and can lead to the development of picky eating habits. As a mom of three uniquely different eaters, I wholeheartedly understand the concern to ensure our kids consume the “right foods” for their healthy growth and development. However, applying pressure during meals can, unfortunately, result in various consequences, including heightened pickiness, anxiety around eating, reliance on external cues (versus internal motivation to eat), and an eventual disruption in the child’s relationship with food.

My advice: Allow your baby to focus on their role (eating) while you concentrate on yours (feeding). Your feeding responsibility involves offering a variety of nutritious foods at consistent intervals throughout the day. Let your baby decide whether they want to eat and how much. Strive to maintain mealtimes as peaceful moments free of intervention, persuasion, or overly eager hovering. Allowing your baby the space to independently explore, taste, and eat at their own unique pace fosters a positive relationship with food.

Bottom line

Starting solids is a wild ride, often with some twists and turns and unexpected deviations. This is all normal! Your baby may struggle with solids for many different reasons (most of which are no cause for concern) and some simple tweaks and shifts can make all of the difference. Every baby is unique, requiring patience and a positive approach. Seeking guidance from a dietitian or pediatrician if needed ensures a supportive and reassuring path. The main takeaway is to embrace curiosity around food and create positive mealtime experiences as your little one explores the world of eating!