It's not uncommon for babies around 8 months old to show resistance to new foods, including meats. Its important to introduce meat slowly into your babies purée or as a finger food from six months of age when they are more accepting to new tastes and textures.
There could be several reasons behind this reluctance:
Texture Sensitivity: Babies might be sensitive to the texture of meats, which can be tougher or different from other foods they've tried.
Taste Development: They might not be accustomed to the taste of meat yet, especially if they've primarily thin vegetable and fruit purée until now.
Introduction Timing: Leaving it too long before you introduce texture may cause your now 8 month old to reject the new food. My advice is to keep trying.
Transitioning to new foods: Some babies take time to transition to new foods, and meat might not be their preference initially.
To help encourage your baby to eat meat:
Texture Modification: Try pureeing or finely mincing the meat to make it easier for your baby to eat. To start, blend 1 part meat with about 3 parts vegetables so the texture isn’t too dissimilar to what they would have eaten before.
Mixing with Other Foods: Mix meat with familiar foods they enjoy, like pureed vegetables or fruits.
Gradual Introduction: Start with small amounts and gradually increase the quantity.
Variety: Experiment with different types of meats or meat-based foods to see if there's a preference.
Patience and Persistence: Don’t give up after the first rejection. It can take multiple tries for a baby to accept a new food.
I recommend trying my Baby’s First Chicken purée to start then move onto my Coconut Chicken Curry. Try a dish with minced beef in it so your baby will go onto love that texture also.
Our Weaning Advice page provides information and advice on weaning your baby. It includes recipes, tips, and articles on a variety of topics related to weaning, such as introducing finger food, adding herbs and spices to baby food, and healthy snacks for your baby, and lots more
