I have the same experience. I started to feed my son solid food(cereal and congee) when he was 5.5 months. He refused to eat and cried very loud. He shut off his month when he saw the bowl. But when I keep on feed him even though one or two tea spoon every day. He eat more and looks quite happy( now he is 7 months old). So, don't give up.
Sorry twg I don't know how to solve your problem because my son also drink breast milk and don't like to eat cereal and congee. Every time he eat little bit cereal only so I try different brand of cereal already. He can eat more congee but not so many as other 8 month baby. He is very thin and his weight is below growth crave already. I'm very worry about his weight. How about your son? He is big big baby or thin?