Aoife Hearne: How can I help my teething baby who is refusing to eat?

It is normal for a baby’s appetite and interest in food to change while they are teething. Often, foods they were previously interested in chewing and exploring are painful or difficult to eat.

By the time children reach 12 months, there is no longer a requirement for infant milk formula, and they can switch to full-fat cow’s milk as their fluid choice, in addition to water.

I assume your child is self-feeding, at this stage, so this might be an opportunity to work with a tasting plate at mealtimes to see if there are new foods he is willing to try. You can place food options on a plate at the table and allow him to pick at the foods that interest him most.

Also, as teething can cause sore and swollen gums, you might consider changing the form and texture of foods offered.

Here are some suggestions that could help your child continue to eat a variety of foods:

• Make a homemade smoothie with blended fruit and freeze it for a soothing fruit ice pop (It’s at least one of his five-a-day);
• Other fruits, like peeled apples, pears and watermelon, can be appealing when cooled in the fridge;
• Softer foods, like scrambled eggs, fish, and yoghurt, can provide excellent protein options that don’t require as much chewing;
• Homemade soup made with blended vegetables might also offer a break from the traditional vegetable offering;
• Mashed potato is a great soft food to offer. You can add grated cheese or even make fish cakes with them for a complete meal or snack.

It is a good idea to continue to maintain a routine throughout the day. Offer small meals and snacks frequently. Consider some of the food choices above before offering milk to see if that encourages your child to eat.

The good news is that since your child is continuing to drink, it will ensure he is staying hydrated, which is one less thing to worry about.

Continue to offer meals and snacks in a structured way and try to hang in there through this very challenging stage.

If difficulties persist, talk to your pharmacist or GP about suitable pain-relief options, such as teething gels.

If you have a question for dietitian Aoife Hearne, please send it to parenting@examiner.ie