My 8-month-old is teething and completely rejecting solids. What should I do?

Moms share that teething can cause babies to refuse solids temporarily. Breastfeeding is okay, and offering soothing textures helps.

Community Answers from Moms(8)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

1. 1

   Try different textures or slightly cold foods like watermelon or yogurt to soothe gums.

2. 2

   As long as baby is active and breastfeeding well, don't stress — it's usually a phase.

3. 3

   This is very common during teething (often confirmed by paediatricians) and around 8-13 months when taste preferences, textures and moods change. It comes in phases - many parents go through food refusal every couple of weeks - and it passes, so never force-feed or stress over quantity.

4. 4

   Many babies want firmer textures when teething. Move from purees to soft/finger foods: soft chapatis, stuffed/cheese paranthas, boiled potato, sweet potato, boiled egg yolk, thicker khichdi, oatmeal with fruit, mini idlis, appe, cutlets, besan or suji pancakes/chillas cut into strips, steamed soft veggies (carrot, beetroot, broccoli, zucchini) and fruit (banana, avocado, pear, apple). Let the baby self-feed and join family mealtime, picking from your plate.

5. 5

   Go back to bland single ingredients (potato, sweet potato, curd/rice) to avoid building a sweet/taste preference; mixing in a bit of breastmilk makes food familiar. A pinch of salt and mild spices (hing, roasted jeera, cinnamon) plus ghee, on the paediatrician's advice, can also help acceptance.

6. 6

   For teething comfort, give refrigerated (not frozen) neem or silicone teethers, and keep the baby close for comfort when cranky.

7. 7

   Don't worry about how much the baby eats before 1 year - you decide what to offer, the baby decides what and how much. Aim for at least one good meal a day. A paediatrician meal plan can help more than relying on Instagram reels.

8. 8

   For giving teething/fever medicine when refused: use a syringe, or put the medicine in just a bottle teat for the baby to suck. Teething gel helps. In some countries paracetamol is given rectally when oral is refused - ask your paediatrician. Teething can cause a slight temperature rise but not high fever, so high fever or constant crying warrants seeing the doctor.