If I had a rupee for every time someone asked me, “He’s not eating solids yet?”—I’d have enough to buy a whole box of those fancy organic teething crackers (that he’ll probably just fling at the cat anyway) 🐱.
At 8.5 months, my baby is all about two things:
- Breast milk
- Food he can chew like a tiny grandpa with two teeth
That’s it. No purees, no mashed banana, no formula—just the comfort of mama’s milk and the joy of squishing soft food between his gums like it’s fine dining.
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Why Breast Milk Still Reigns Supreme 🍼
I’ll admit, I panicked a little. Everywhere I looked, babies his age were happily slurping rainbow-colored purees out of silicone spoons. Instagram made it look like mealtime was supposed to be a Michelin-star experience—tiny humans in bamboo high chairs, lovingly opening their mouths for every bite like baby birds.
Meanwhile, my son? He looked at the spoon like I was personally insulting his intelligence. He clamped his lips shut and gave me a death stare that said, “Nice try, lady.”
But our pediatrician (whom I now owe several thank-you notes and possibly a cake) told us something that instantly eased my mind:
Breast milk or formula remains the main source of nutrition until 12 months. Solids are just for practice at this point—for textures, tastes, and motor skills.
So guess what? He’s practicing. In his own chewy, messy, banana-squishing, idli-murdering way.
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Busy Baby = Distracted Diner
Here’s the other piece of the puzzle—my baby is busy.
We’re in the thick of the “I’m-going-to-do-everything-at-once” phase:
- Crawling (sort of…mostly sliding backwards in frustration)
- Pulling himself up on everything—including my leg, the dining table, and once, a sleeping cat
- Trying to walk (slow down, buddy!)
- And talking—he’s got “Dada” down, and is working on other babbles, but only uses “Mama” when he’s really angry or hungry or both. Classic!
With all these big milestones happening, it’s no wonder he’s not in the mood to sit still and spoon down a bland mush of khichdi. He’s got things to do, furniture to climb, languages to learn, and very little interest in mashed sweet potato.
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Texture is King 👑
It turns out, my baby has preferences.
Strong ones.
If he can pick it up and gum it to death, he’s interested. If it’s a spoonful of carefully blended lentils? He’s suspicious.
Give him:
- Soft idli pieces
- Ripe banana slices
- Steamed carrot sticks
- Bits of chapati soaked in dal
And he’ll happily play with it, taste it, and maybe even swallow a bit. But try feeding him with a spoon? The lips seal tighter than an ancient treasure chest.
He wants texture, autonomy, and zero spoon interference, thank you very much.
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What’s Working for Us (And Might Work for You Too) ✨
I’ve stopped stressing and started following his lead (while keeping wet wipes within arm’s reach at all times). Here’s what’s helping:
- Timing matters – He’s more likely to try food when he’s not too hungry or too full. Basically, just like me with snacks.
- We eat together – If he sees me chewing, he’s intrigued. Especially if it’s my food and not his.
- Finger foods only – Soft, safe, and squishy. If it can’t be held and chewed, it’s not getting near his mouth.
- No pressure – I keep it light and playful. If he eats, great. If he throws it, well… the cat’s eating well these days.
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Trust the Baby, Trust the Process ❤️
Despite the refusal of anything mushy or bottle-shaped, he’s gaining weight like a champ, reaching all milestones on time (or even early), and keeping us on our toes. He’s healthy, happy, and opinionated—which, honestly, I kind of admire.
So if your baby is ignoring solids, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Some babies just take their time. Others skip purées entirely and dive into solids on their own terms. And some (like mine) will accept milk forever if you let them.
And that’s okay.
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To the mamas out there watching lovingly prepared food end up on the floor every day—solidarity, strength, and stain remover to you! You’re doing amazing, and so is your baby.
Have a similar story? Did your baby refuse the spoon too? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your mealtime adventures (and misadventures)!
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