The short answer
A baby refusing solid foods at 7–9 months does not necessarily have a feeding problem or dislike that food forever. Offer small portions again on different days, adapt the texture, respect turning away or closing the mouth, and keep breastfeeding or giving first infant formula.
In this guide · 11 sections
Keep in mind
- Offer rejected food again on another day without pressure.
- Do not force spoonfuls or withhold milk to encourage solids.
- Adapt textures and stay beside your baby when feeding.
- Seek medical advice for poor intake, dehydration, growth concerns or persistent swallowing problems.
What does refusing solid food mean?
You may feel discouraged when your baby clamps their lips shut at the vegetables you carefully prepared. But a grimace, a pushed-away spoon, or a single taste followed by refusal does not mean they will always reject that food. Getting used to new flavors, smells, and textures takes time.
Eating very little at one meal does not tell you enough on its own. Consider milk feeds, sleep, overall well-being, and growth over time together. Your baby's interest in food can vary from day to day.
Why might your baby eat one day and refuse the next?
Tiredness, being very hungry or already full, a new motor skill competing for attention, or a temporary discomfort can change how your baby eats. Sometimes the difficulty is not the flavor but a puree that is too runny or lumpier than expected.
For example, your baby may spit out courgette they enjoyed yesterday. Before calling this picky eating, consider the circumstances: Did they just wake up? Have they recently had a full milk feed? Are they sitting comfortably? One observation is not a verdict.
Should you offer a rejected food again?
Yes. If your baby seems comfortable, offer the food again on another day. NHS guidance encourages patiently offering a variety of foods; it does not require a fixed number of attempts. There is no need to pressure your baby to accept it.
If mashed pear was rejected once, try a softer developmentally appropriate texture another time. If there is no interest, remove it calmly and try again another day. Offering it alongside a familiar safe food may also make exploring easier.
How can you spot hunger and fullness cues?
Reaching for food, leaning toward the spoon, or opening the mouth may signal interest. Turning away, closing the mouth, pushing food away, or losing interest may mean your baby wants a break.
Your role is to provide nutritious, age-appropriate food safely, while leaving room for your baby's cues about how much to eat. Forcing in a spoon, feeding while they cry, or distracting them with screens or games to slip in bites does not support responsive feeding.
Can you try another texture if your baby refuses purée?
Between seven and nine months, some babies enjoy spoon-fed purees, while others prefer exploring appropriately soft pieces with their hands. You do not have to choose one method exclusively. Soft mashed foods, gentle lumps, and safely prepared finger foods can all have a place.
Your baby should sit upright and steadily with an adult present throughout meals. Hard, round, sticky, or oversized pieces can cause choking. Do not rush texture changes; watch your baby's emerging chewing and swallowing skills.
Should you cut down milk feeds if solids are refused?
No. Deliberately withholding or postponing breast milk or suitable infant formula to make your baby ravenous for solids is not a good solution. Milk feeds remain important throughout the first year, while solid foods gradually add variety and nutrients.
Plan attempts for times when your baby is awake and calm. If a new food holds little appeal immediately after a full milk feed, another time might work better. You do not need a fixed spoonful count or portion target.
What can you try today?
At one meal today, make a calm space where your baby can sit comfortably. Place a small amount of a new or previously rejected food beside something familiar. Eat alongside your baby and let them touch and smell the food.
Pause when your baby closes their mouth or turns away. If they are done, end the meal without fuss. Try changing the texture or timing next time. The goal is a safe, positive relationship with food, not finishing today's serving.
When should you seek advice from a GP?
Contact your GP or health visitor if ongoing refusal comes with worries about weight gain or growth, frequent coughing or distress during meals, apparently painful swallowing, or repeated vomiting. These concerns are different from disliking one food.
Marked lethargy, a dry mouth, far fewer wet nappies, or inability to take fluids needs prompt medical attention. If your baby struggles to breathe or turns blue, call 999. These are concerns about health, not food preferences.
When to seek support
Some signs need emergency help; other concerns can be discussed with your child’s healthcare team.
- Clear slowing of growth or difficulty feeding
- Repeated coughing, distress or swallowing problems during meals
- Unable to take fluids, markedly fewer wet nappies or lethargy
- Breathing problems or turning blue: call 999.
Sources used for this guide
- NHS — Help your baby enjoy new foods
- NHS — 7 to 9 months - Feeding your baby
- NHS — Your baby’s first solid foods
- NHS — When to use NHS 111 for urgent advice about babies and children under 5
English editorial review:
The English text and regional guidance have been checked editorially. This is not an individual clinical assessment.
Luluna provides general parenting information. It does not diagnose conditions or replace your child’s healthcare professional.
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