Baby Refuses Solids but Drinks Milk? Here’s What to Do (From a Pediatric NP)

It’s one of the most common concerns parents face during the transition to solids: “My baby drinks formula or breast milk, but won’t eat solids!” 

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong. 

Feeding is a process, and like all developmental milestones, babies reach it at their own pace.

Read along as I walk you through why some babies refuse solids, what to do about it, and how to gently encourage your baby to explore food without pressure. 

I'll also discuss what it means when babies approach their first birthday and still prefer milk over meals.

Why Do Some Babies Refuse Solids?

Babies might refuse solids for a variety of reasons, and understanding the root cause can help guide your next steps. Here are a few common reasons:

• They’re just not ready yet: Some babies need a little more time before they are developmentally ready to handle solids. Yes - you may get the go-ahead from your pediatric provider, but that does not mean your baby is ready for solids. Some babies are slower to warm up.
  

• They’re teething or sick: Discomfort from teething or illness can make eating solids less appealing. >>> Click here to learn about feeding your baby while they are sick.
  

• They have a strong gag reflex: Some babies gag more easily than others when trying new textures. Gag reflexes are protective, but starting solids can be frustrating if they are gagging frequently.
  

• They’re full from milk: If babies are still drinking large volumes of formula or breast milk, they may not feel hungry enough to explore solids.
  

• Feeding environment or method: High-pressure environments, spoon feeding without respecting cues, or unrealistic expectations may cause resistance.

When Should I Worry if My Baby Refuses Solids?

Most pediatricians agree that solid food introduction is a gradual process that begins around 6 months and progresses through the first year. If your baby is:

• Not showing interest in solids by 9-10 months
  

• Refusing all textures (purees, finger foods)
  

• Having trouble with weight gain or iron levels
  

• Gagging on ALL food, regardless of texture, without being able to swallow

…it may be time to talk to your pediatric provider. But in many cases, babies just need more time and a little encouragement.

What to Do When Baby Refuses to Eat Solids

If your baby isn’t interested in solids but is otherwise healthy and growing well on formula or breast milk, here are some practical steps you can take:

1. Follow Your Baby’s Lead

One of the most effective strategies is to adopt a responsive feeding approach. This means tuning into your baby’s cues and letting them explore at their own pace. Offer solids without pressure and make mealtimes a low-stress experience.

• Sit with your baby and eat together. Model the behavior you want them to mimic. Over exaggerate your movements. They learn how to eat from watching you.
  

• Let them play with the food. Touching the food, exploring the texture or bringing it to their mouth is a win, even if they don't actually swallow anything.
  

• Offer a variety of flavors and textures over time. They might take to sweeter foods over savory foods or vice versa.

• Respect your baby's wishes. Some babies love purees, but don't love complex textures. Other babies love self feeding, but don't like to be spoon fed.

2. Shift the Feeding Schedule

If your baby is drinking a full bottle right before a solid meal, they may not be hungry enough to eat. Try offering bottles or breastmilk at the beginning of a wake window and solids at the end.

While some babies have a big appetite form the beginning, most babies eat small amounts.

Spacing milk and meals helps your baby come to the table with an appetite.

3. Let Baby Touch, Smell, and Play

Sensory exploration is a big part of learning to eat. It’s okay if your baby doesn’t eat much at first. The goal is exposure over time. Let them:

• Squish a banana
  

• Dip their fingers into applesauce
  

• Mouth a soft piece of avocado

This helps reduce food anxiety and builds comfort with new experiences.

Try not to immediately wipe their face or hands. Let them get a bit messy. 

There are different products that help keep clothes clean or you can put them into the bath right after a meal.

4. Try Different Textures and Temperatures

Some babies prefer soft finger foods over spoon-fed purees. Others like cold yogurt but not warm oatmeal. Experiment with:

• Mashed sweet potato vs sweet potato wedges
  

• Soft scrambled eggs vs egg strips
  

• Banana strips vs mashed bananas
  

• Plain avocado slices vs avocado slices rolled in hemp hearts or something to help baby grip it more easily
  

• Cold vs. room temperature

Try not to rule out a food after just one refusal. It can take 10+ exposures before a baby accepts a new food.

5. Model Eating

Babies are more likely to try foods they see you eating. Sit down and eat with your baby as much as possible. Show them how you chew and enjoy food. Use exaggerated expressions and talk about how things taste.

It may make you feel silly, but it helps babies learn!

6. Involve Them in Mealtime

Babies can sit at the table during family meals starting at a young age. Being part of the routine helps babies see that eating is social and enjoyable. You can:

• Let them hold a spoon
  

• Offer a plate with small portions of what you're eating
  

• Encourage them to mimic your motions

It doesn't need to be every meal! Aim for one or two per week around 3 months of age if possible.

7. Keep Mealtimes Short and Positive

If your baby resists or gets upset, it's okay to end the meal. Keep mealtimes short (5–15 minutes) and positive. Offer praise and encouragement. Over time, consistency pays off.

8. Offer Iron-Rich Foods Early and Often

If your baby is drinking a lot of  breast milk, they may not be getting enough iron from solids. Offer iron-rich options regularly:

• Fortified baby cereal
  

• Ground meats
  

• Mashed lentils or beans
  

• Tofu
  

• Eggs

Iron needs increase around 6 months, especially with breastfed babies, so incorporating these foods when possible is helpful.

What If My Baby Refuses Solids at 10, 11, or 12 Months?

As babies approach their first birthday, pressure to “drop bottles” and move to table foods increases. But many babies still prefer milk at this age—and that’s okay.

If your baby is 10–12 months old and:

• Is refusing most solids
  

• Is still thriving on formula or breast milk
  

• Is gaining weight and meeting milestones

try not to panic and do not force your baby to eat. Every baby is different and temperament plays a huge part.

This is a good time to:

• Talk to your provider about offering smaller bottles or shorter breastfeeding sessions before solids are offered

• Eat together as a family often

• Lean into foods they like more. Add nutrients and subtle flavor changes to the foods they are willing to eat. For example, if your baby refuses all foods but mashed bananas, make small changes. You might consider a progression like this:

  • adding a teaspoon of coconut cream to the bananas.
    

  • adding cinnamon to the coconut cream bananas.

  • adding coconut cream, cinnamon, and iron-fortified baby cereal.

  • offering iron-fortified baby cereal, coconut cream, and sweet potato.

  • offering banana wedges and so on

• Gently reduce milk volume if your provider agrees

Most babies gradually increase their solid intake between 9–15 months.

Don’t Compare Your Baby to Social Media

Scrolling Instagram or TikTok, it may seem like every baby is eating sushi rolls, crawfish, and gourmet finger foods at 6 months. In reality, feeding is messy, slow, and sometimes frustrating.

You’re not behind.

Your baby isn’t broken.

Solids are a learning process, not a race.

Social media can amplify unrealistic expectations and make you feel like you’re failing. Unfollow accounts that make you feel stressed and find trusted, realistic resources instead.

What Are the Best Foods to Offer When Baby Refuses Baby Food?

If your baby consistently rejects purees or traditional "baby food," it might be time to think outside the jar. Some babies prefer more textured, real-food options that they can self-feed. Some great first foods to offer include:

• Steamed sweet potato or carrot sticks (soft enough to mash with fingers)

• Strips of ripe avocado or banana

• Toast fingers spread with mashed avocado or smooth nut butter (if already introduced)

• Scrambled eggs

• Soft pasta or cooked grains like rice or quinoa

• Shredded cheese or soft tofu

• Thin strips of cooked meat or squished beans

These foods offer texture, nutrition, and the opportunity for independence—often making them more appealing than spoon-fed options.

How Much Should a Baby Eat and Drink by Age?

Understanding typical intake can help you set realistic expectations. Here's a general guide to how much milk and solid food babies usually consume as they grow:

6–8 months:

• Formula or breast milk: 24–32 oz per day

• Solids: 1–2 small meals/day, starting with a few teaspoons to a few tablespoons per meal

8–10 months:

• Formula or breast milk: 24–30 oz per day

• Solids: 2–3 meals/day, increasing portion sizes gradually

10–12 months:

• Formula or breast milk: 16–24 oz per day

• Solids: 3 meals + 1–2 snacks/day

Always watch your baby’s cues and remember that these are general guidelines—appetite can vary day to day and every baby is different.

When to Talk to a Professional

If your baby is consistently refusing solids, especially past 9–10 months, and you’re feeling unsure, a feeding evaluation may help. You can ask your pediatrician for a referral to:

• A pediatric feeding therapist (often an SLP or OT)
  

• A dietitian who specializes in infant nutrition
  

• A medical provider with feeding expertise (like me!)

There’s no shame in needing extra help—and early support can make a big difference.

If your baby isn’t eating solids yet, take a deep breath. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. Keep offering, keep modeling, and stay consistent. Feeding is a journey, and progress can happen in small steps.

Remember:

• Exposure is more important than intake early on.
  

• Messy meals mean learning is happening.
  

• Some babies take longer—and that’s okay.

Need personalized support? As a pediatric nurse practitioner and feeding expert, I help families just like yours find confidence and calm in feeding decisions.