My baby prefers only milk and liquid foods, refuses solid foods, and pushes food out with her tongue. She weighs 7.2 kg and may be underweight. Could she have a swallowing difficulty, and how can this be managed?
Asked by Female, 26 · 10 days ago
It is quite common for babies to prefer milk and push out solid foods with the tongue, especially during the early stages of weaning, as this tongue-thrust reflex can persist for some time, but if your baby is consistently refusing solids and seems underweight (7.2 kg may be low depending on age), it is important to assess feeding habits and growth more closely; this may be due to delayed acceptance of textures, teething discomfort, mild feeding aversion, or less commonly a swallowing difficulty such as dysphagia, especially if there is coughing, choking, or vomiting during feeds. You can try offering small, soft, mashed foods slowly, allowing the baby to explore textures without force, maintaining a calm feeding environment, and continuing breast milk or formula while gradually introducing solids. Avoid force-feeding, as it can worsen refusal. It is best to consult a paediatrician to check growth, rule out nutritional deficiencies or medical issues, and, if needed, get guidance from a feeding specialist for safe and effective feeding strategies.
