I have a 12-month-old who refuses to eat solids. She only wants to nurse. What can I do?

When kids won't eat solids at all at 12 months, it is important to find out why. Sometimes it's just preference, but sometimes it is an esophagus that is too tight or swallowing that isn't coordinated. An evaluation by a feeding specialist is usually a good idea. Often, this is a pediatric gastroenterologist.

The window between 6 and 12 months, of age is the easiest time for kids to learn to eat solids. After 12 months it often becomes more difficult. If someone has confirmed, after 6 months, that she can chew and swallow well and she just doesn't want to, that is fine. She can start later if she likes. But sometimes, when kids appear just not to enjoy it, the real problem is difficulty--either with tightness or coordination.

At 12 months, the foods kids will often take first are those things they can handle for themselves and go down easily, such as oat cereal rings. Often, 12-month-olds do not like someone else to feed them. If she is taking some solids, just not a lot, and if she is developing normally and following her growth curves, it's fine for her to set the amount at her own pace.

It’s important for breast-fed babies to get extra vitamin D, from the sun or from supplements – at least 400 IU daily. In addition, you may want to check with her doctor to see if she needs iron supplements. After 6 months of age, solely breastfed infants who are not eating iron rich foods may need iron supplements to prevent iron deficiency anemia.