Common Weaning Problems and Solutions

Navigate common roadblocks on the weaning journey.

Jan.13, 2023

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

Make no mistake – weaning is a trial and error process, and every parent encounters obstacles along the way. But that doesn’t necessarily make mealtime challenges any easier to handle. The good news is that many obstacles experienced during weaning have tried and true remedies that offer relief for both babies and their parents! 

Refusing Food

It’s not uncommon for children to refuse food early in the weaning process. After all, the whole experience of sitting in a high chair, eating solids, and using or being fed with a spoon is completely brand new! Dealing with a fussy eater is not only frustrating, refusing food can also throw off the whole eating and sleeping schedule. This can be just as stressful for babies as it can for their parents. Make the new world of food a more manageable experience by taking things slowly. 

Babies should clearly demonstrate interest in foods before beginning weaning. If your little one is curious about food, then it can just be a matter of taking the time to figure out their unique food preferences. Once it’s obvious that your baby loves a particular kind of food, try offering it in a variety of ways to see which sticks. If you’re not sure what your kiddo has an inkling for, introducing a number of different foods and letting them experiment on their own is a fun way to get children excited about eating.

Playing With Food  

Sometimes it can feel like your baby will do everything with food except eat it. Whether your munchkin prefers to smoosh, throw, or sling their food, playful eaters are more interested in playing with their food than eating it. While the mess can be upsetting, children are probably demonstrating enthusiasm for their developing motor skills. Consider encouraging your babe to learn through experience rather than scolding them for exploring the world around them. Just be sure to protect your kid’s clothes with a full-coverage bib before unleashing some mealtime fun! 

Gagging

Gagging can make parents feel like they’re doing something wrong, but it’s actually a normal part of the weaning process. Babies aren’t born with a gag reflex, so little ones who are under six months of age are still learning how to swallow properly as they transition from bottle feeding to eating solids. However, choking hazards are real, so it’ll be important to recognize the signs. Check out Bibbrella’s post here for more info on the difference between gagging and choking!

Refusing to Be Spoon-fed

For many kiddos, the transition from bottle feeding to weaning can feel strange. Having to eat food from a foreign object can be confusing if not downright daunting. Consider going the baby led weaning route to ease into solids, so that your baby can handle and eat food more intuitively. As children engage in self-guided feeding, offer utensils alongside the food so that kids become gradually accustomed to seeing utensils around and naturally come to understand their purpose. There’s no reason to rush spoon feeding – kids will eventually learn how to use them. Meanwhile, use a full-length bib to keep messes contained, and let your munchkin enjoy food their way in order to nurture a positive relationship with mealtime.