“My 8-month-old daughter has recently started refusing all solid foods. She throws a tantrum whenever a spoon comes near her mouth, turns her head, and just won’t eat. Is this a phase she’s going through, or is there something to be concerned about?”

It might seem like your little girl is just acting her age. After all, it’s perfectly common for a 9-month-old to start asserting her independence by refusing to eat the purees you offer. This new feeding fussiness can be a bit perplexing, but don’t worry – it’s a natural part of her development. So, what’s a parent to do? Here are some tips to help you navigate this phase and encourage healthy eating habits.

Introduce New Foods

When your baby starts refusing the usual purees, it could be a sign that she’s ready to explore new textures and tastes. It’s likely she’s saying, “I’m done with mush, Mom,” and is ready to move on to solid foods. This is an exciting milestone as she’s showing interest in more varied foods, so it’s time to introduce some new culinary adventures.

How can you do this? Begin by offering baby finger foods that she can feed herself. At this stage, almost any food can become a finger food — even applesauce! Just be ready for a mess! Start with soft, easily manageable pieces such as small cubes of cooked sweet potatoes or carrots, soft-cooked pasta, or chunks of banana. Let her pick and choose which one she’d like to try. Just make sure to introduce one food at a time so she can get accustomed to the flavors (and to monitor for potential allergies).

Offer a Spoon

Another way to foster her growing independence is to give her a spoon of her own. While she may not be able to do much more than wave it around at first, having her own spoon can make mealtime feel like a fun, interactive experience. Plus, this keeps her occupied and may allow you to sneak in a bite or two of food while she’s distracted.

This may feel like a tiny step toward feeding herself, but it’s great practice for the future. Of course, don’t expect her to be using the spoon expertly anytime soon—most of the food will likely end up in her hair and on the floor for a while!

Consider Other Deterrents

There might be other factors contributing to her refusal to eat. One possible reason could be that she’s becoming less interested in being confined to her high chair. As babies gain more mobility skills, they often want to explore and move around more freely, which makes sitting still for meals less appealing.

Teething could also be a reason for her sudden dislike of food. The discomfort from teething can make eating less enjoyable, so this may explain why she’s rejecting her meals.

Regardless of the cause, try not to turn mealtime into a battle. Getting frustrated or upset about her refusal to eat can create negative associations with mealtime. Instead, stay calm and relaxed, and let her explore food at her own pace. When she does feed herself, be sure to give her plenty of praise and encouragement, reinforcing her sense of accomplishment and making mealtime a more positive experience.