Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

DS is 15 months and still on stage 2.

At 12 months he had gagging issues and we started the apple wheels and puffs. It took some time but he is no longer gagging.

The problem now is that he has no interest in solid food AT ALL.

So it's still stage 2.

He will eat bananas when I hold it and he bits into it.

Everything is 1-2 bits (except the banana which he loves) and that's it. He will try once and does not want it anymore.

So I need to back from scratch.

The ped suggested EI.

Meanwhile, I need to try new things and would love any suggestions.

Should I give pancakes?
I will try that chicken meatball

What else?

FYI... DS hates touching food unless it is dry like puffs. If it's wet, mushy, he is totally disgussed with it.

TIA

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

How about a slightly toasted waffle (cut in strips or bits)? If it's too dry, you could dip it in some apple sauce or something like that. I would say syrup but you said he doesn't like messy. How about cheese slices? Kraft has a new one without growth hormones. Those aren't messy. I'm guessing you've already done Cheerios. HTH

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

Do you give him yogurt and pastina?

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

This statement makes me think it is a texture thing.... "He will eat bananas when I hold it and he bits into it."

DS also had a big texture issue, and still does to an extent. Honestly the only thing that got him out of it and into more crunchy and interesting foods is when he teethes he likes the feeling on his gums.

Try some pears (they are softer than apples), maybe ceral bars, lightly toasted waffles or pancakes, and pastas of different textures. Also remember it takes 15 tries for a child to truly determine if he likes something or not. Did the Ped offer any suggestions at his visit of foods to try? I think the chicken meatball might also be good.

Message edited 10/6/2008 2:43:31 PM.

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

It could be that he's gagging because he doesn't like the texture and not necessarily that he can't handle it. Or maybe the different tastes are just something he needs to get used to.

One of the first solds I tried DS on (after stage 3, puffs and cheerios) were canned sweet peas. They're small, easy for him to pick up, mush in your mouth, and taste good. Also, maybe try pastina. Again, small but will get him used to textured food. Steamed carrots. Avocado smushed up.

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

My 15 month old is still on stage 2s and 3s, she'll only eat hard cracker type or any kind of carb.

My doc isn't too worried yet. She gags and pulls anything out of her mouth that she doesn't like.

I'd try the carbs first-bagels, waffles, toast, mashed pototoes, corn, fruits and def not meat, the texture and taste of meat is too strong.

My dd doesn't like her carbs cut up, so she gets a chunk of bagels to knaw on and a whole waffle she picks up and eats.

GL

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

I don't really have any suggestions but completely feel for you. I am going throguh the same thing except my DS is a bit younger at nine months. We go to the pediatrician this week so am interested to see what he says. DS will eat nothing except a few stage 2 foods--nothing else. I have tried everything and worst part is he wakes up TWO-THREE times a night now for bottles because he is hungry. We do try and feed him as much as possible during the day but does not seem to be working....I am curious to hear some recommendations and wonder if anyone has experience with a similiar situation.....Good luck!!!

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

What about cheese? DD loves this and would eat it constantly if we let her. We break the little cubes of cheese into smaller pieces she can pick up.

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

Posted by MsMBV

Hi Sohie:

This statement makes me think it is a texture thing.... "He will eat bananas when I hold it and he bits into it."

DS also had a big texture issue, and still does to an extent. Honestly the only thing that got him out of it and into more crunchy and interesting foods is when he teethes he likes the feeling on his gums.

Try some pears (they are softer than apples), maybe ceral bars, lightly toasted waffles or pancakes, and pastas of different textures. Also remember it takes 15 tries for a child to truly determine if he likes something or not. Did the Ped offer any suggestions at his visit of foods to try? I think the chicken meatball might also be good.

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

Ah, I feel your pain (as I mentioned in the other post).

DD isn't really a gagger, she just doesn't really like food She just really has never liked eating. The first several MONTHS of cereal & jarred food were torture-- she cried the whole time, pushed us away, etc. We were on Stage 3's at one point, then I think she got sick and then decided she no longer liked Stage 3 (which, I don't really blame her...most of the Earth's Best ones are thin with chunks mixed in, which can be a little startling to little mouths not expecting it).

So, at 15 months, we're still on mostly Stage 2's also. For breakfast, she will eat a plain YoBaby, but then also gets a jar of fruit. Lunch & dinner are usually 2 jars of food.

She DOES love her carbs. Waffles, bread, crackers, pasta, Cheerios. Will generally eat them w/o a problem, also cheese slices. She'll sometimes humor us and eat some grilled cheese, or some meatballs, etc. but it's not too common.

But, my issue with her is more that she doesn't really like table food while she's in her highchair...if she's allowed to cruise around and I shove food in her mouth, or put it on the low table for her to take from, she'd eat all day.

Will NOT eat any fresh fruits or veggies. NONE. And believe me, we've tried it all b/c we belong to a fruit/veggie co-op so we get fresh organic fruits & veggies for 3/4 of the year.

What I just do is TRY, TRY, TRY. Yesterday were were at a christening, and she had us both like this Ate a ridiculous amount of pasta, while sitting in a high chair. Literally unheard of. I fed it to her, she didn't self-feed, but baby steps She is a big-time thrower though off her tray, no matter what we try to do to stop her, she throws everyting. I'm HOPING she'll outgrow this and begin to self-feed more.

She's so picky that if we're giving her bread or something, and try to give her a pea, she will NOT eat it, she touches it for a nannosecond and then it's off the tray

So, my point is more to commiserate, not to help much I do know that since my friend started watching her 1x/week, C loves condiments, which I had never used with her-- butter, mayo, etc...haven't tried ketchup yet.

Hopefully it will get better for both of us soon.

Message edited 10/6/2008 2:19:17 PM.

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

I just found out that there are feeding therapists for babies and toddlers. Well, I knew that from the NICU but I guess I didn't realize that they are available for all ages and for many reasons. My grandma had one on her nursing home and it's the same idea.

Anyway, Dylan's GI doctor wanted to speak to his ped. about possibly sending him to a feeding therapist because he was refusing the bottle for a while, he has no teeth, does not like stage 3 foods and needs to gain weight. Both doctors were on the fence about sending him. The ped. suggested that we find out if insuraance will cover it and if not, she will meet with us to give us ideas about foods to introduce and how to feed him better. The good news is that Dylan has been doing so much better on a new combo of Elecare and Pediasure and he is looking more plump. He's allowed to have some dairy now.

I just haven't had a chance to post about this but I'm open to discussing it.

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

I'm sorry you are having trouble getting him to eat solids with texture! I know you responded to my post last week, and I don't have much wisdom to offer you on this since I'm going through the same issue, but I hope you find things he can eat.

I'm starting to make DS more and more of his food rather than giving him stage 2. I'm making things lumpier with small chunks in it so he can get used to swallowing--so far, this is working with bananas, pears, apples, and carrots. I wouldn't say these are true solid foods, but they aren't as well pureed as the stage 2 foods. He also seems okay with pastina if I put a little broth or yogurt in it (yes yogurt) so it's more watery. He doesn't have trouble getting the lumpier food down if there is a smoother base with it, but he has trouble with plain chunks of banana say.

Re: Let's talk solid food! Desperate mommy here who needs a plan B

dd is similar she's 1 now and we're in the midst of transitioning to milk. due to her reflux we mix it with formula still but she should be on all milk by next week. unfortunately since we started milk she won't eat anything. she will have cereal and stage2 fruit for breakfast - maybe yogurt, loves cheerios, teething biscuits, bread and pizza crust but i have to almost shovel, a few spoons of pastina into her for dinner/lunch. if this keeps up i'll be calling the ped soon. wish i had advice for you