During the period of food diversification (and even more so with BLW ), a question often comes up: “But why isn’t baby eating anything?!”
Rest assured right away: this food refusal is very common and, in the majority of cases, there is no reason to be alarmed.
Baby explores before eating
Between 6 and 8 months, the main goal is not to fill the stomach with tons of food, but rather to discover . Baby touches, smells, observes, crushes, throws (yes, even that is part of the experience 😅)… and sometimes, he puts very little food in his mouth.
👉 And that's totally okay !
Because at this age, breast milk or infant formula still covers more than 80% of their energy needs . So, even if your baby eats "three crumbs and two slices of zucchini," they're still getting what they need.
The thousand reasons for “no thank you”
Just like us, babies don't always have the same appetite. Their desire to eat can vary depending on many factors:
Teething 🦷 (when all they want to chew on… is their fist!)
Fatigue 😴
Growth spurts
A slight cold or temporary discomfort
Or simply… less hungry that day.
In short, there's no mystery: a baby's appetite isn't a fixed equation. Some days he devours, others he pecks. And that's normal.
What really matters
Rather than focusing on each meal, let's look at the whole:
Is your baby's growth curve regular
his general condition good (alertness, energy, smiles, games)?
Is he evolving in his acquisitions?
If the answer is “yes” to these three questions → breathe: baby is fine. 🌟
Parental Pressure (and How to Break Free)
We, parents, often carry a heavy legacy around meals:
“You have to finish your plate!” 🍽️
Social norms that make us compare babies with others
The fear that he will eat too little... or sometimes too much!
But in BLW , the golden rule is simple: baby is in charge.
We don't weigh portions, we offer a variety of foods, and we trust our baby's appetite. Baby instinctively knows what his body needs.
Make you want to want ✨
What if we turned mealtime into a positive experience rather than a challenge?
Here are some simple tips to encourage your baby to snack:
Let your baby know a few minutes before the meal so that he or she can mentally prepare.
Eat at the same time as him (shared meals are much more attractive).
Eat the same foods as your baby : mirror effect guaranteed!
Vary the presentation (a carrot stick is not as successful as a carrot slice 😉).
Involve your cuddly toy or doll in the meal to make it more fun.
In summary
Not eating or eating little is a normal step in diversification.
The important thing is for baby to discover , explore and develop a healthy relationship with food. BLW is not a race for quantity but a gradual learning process.
So if your baby refuses their meal, keep smiling: it's not a failure, but simply a step on the road to independence. 💕
