I'm trying to introduce solid foods, but my little one systematically rejects them and keeps wanting to breastfeed. Is this normal at this age or should I push him a bit? I'm worried he's not eating enough.
I don't think it's about forcing things or completely relaxing either: at 18 months most kids are already eating quite a bit of solid food, but some are just slower with that process and that's not catastrophic. What really matters is that you offer him actual food at each main meal without making a big deal if he refuses it, and that you keep an eye on his weight and energy levels at pediatrician checkups - that'll tell you if there's actually a nutritional problem or if your son is just more into breastfeeding than other kids his age. What some comments don't mention is that sometimes it also comes down to how the food is presented: if he only tries boring purées, maybe one day something with different texture or flavor will catch his attention more. But don't stress, forcing never works and usually just makes the refusal even worse!
At 18 months it's not unusual for him to still prefer breastfeeding, but really at that age he should already be eating quite a bit of solid food - you don't have to "force" him but you should offer him food regularly without pressure, at the same meals the rest of the family eats. What works best is letting him explore food at his own pace, without making a big deal if he refuses it; try different textures and let him see that you're eating the same thing. If you're worried he's not eating enough, a quick check-up with the pediatrician would give you peace of mind about his growth and development.
What matters here is that he keeps gaining weight and has energy, so if that's happening there's no reason to stress! Sometimes kids go through phases where they prefer one food over another, and breastfeeding is the most comfortable thing for them. What you can do is keep offering family meals without pressure - let him see that you're eating, let him touch the food with his hands, let him explore. A lot of times when they stop feeling the pressure they'll start trying new things on their own. If you're really worried he's not eating enough, talk to the pediatrician, but keep in mind that babies are pretty unpredictable about this stuff!
Your son is probably going through a totally normal phase, but I understand the stress it causes. At 18 months, a lot of kids still prefer breast milk because it's familiar and easy, so it's not unusual. The thing is, at that age he already needs nutrients that breast milk alone doesn't provide - iron, zinc, varied proteins. The good news is it's not about "forcing" him in the sense of making him eat; it's more about offering food without pressure and letting him explore at his own pace.
What a lot of parents don't mention is that sometimes the rejection isn't because he doesn't want to eat, but because the texture or the way the food is presented intimidates him. Try this: let him eat with his hands, no spoons. Give him small pieces he can grab (banana, toast, soft fruit chunks or shredded chicken). That way he feels like he has control and it's less threatening than someone shoving a spoonful in his mouth. A lot of times when you let them choose, it's surprising what they end up eating.
In the meantime, if he's gaining weight, has energy, and the pediatrician says he's doing well, breathe easy. Don't take away the breast overnight - that would just make him cling to it even more. Just offer food at family meals without making a big deal out of it, eat yourself so he sees you doing it, and leave it at that. Some kids take a bit longer to get into solids, but eventually they do. Pressure is the enemy here.
I completely understand your concern, but here's something nobody's going to tell you unless I spell it out: breastfeeding is still food. At 18 months your son is getting really important nutrients from breastfeeding, so you're not in a situation where "he's not eating enough" just because he's rejecting squash puree. What really matters is that you keep offering him solid foods regularly, without pressure or drama, because eventually he'll eat them when he sees his older siblings or adults doing it.
The thing isn't so much forcing him as normalizing that food exists and is available. Let him touch it, play with it, smell the food. Sometimes kids need several exposures before they put something in their mouth, and that's completely normal. As long as he's gaining weight, has good energy, and isn't showing signs of deficiencies (which your pediatrician would check for), breastfeeding is a totally valid safety net. If in a few months he's still rejecting almost all solids across the board, then maybe it's worth talking to your pediatrician about sensitivities or chewing difficulties, but right now you probably just have a kid who simply prefers what he knows well.
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