Need help with introducing foods that are more solid

DD is almost 8 months and has been on stage 2 foods for a while now. She eats oatmeal, yogurt and lots of stage 2 fruits and veggies without a problem. I have tried a few times to give her foods that are more solid - for instance, pastina (a different consistency). The other day, I mashed up a banana, and gave her some and both times, she has gagged repeatedly, and made herself throw up. Is she just not ready? Or are there other foods that are thicker that I should be introducing first?

Re: Need help with introducing foods that are more solid

It sounds like she may not be ready. Have you tried puffs? They melt pretty easily in their mouth. If you're worried about choking, you can break them in half. DS started to get the hang of table foods around 8 months.

If you want to give more solid purees, try baking a sweet potato and then mashing it. Squash would work well too. Both are pretty thick when pureed.

Re: Need help with introducing foods that are more solid

Thanks for the advice. Like you said, it might still be too soon for her.

We've tried puffs and she doesn't like those either!!

Re: Need help with introducing foods that are more solid

She's probably not ready. So far the only real "solid" food my DD will eat are Baby Mum Mums... at 9 months old getting her to even eat fruits and veggies (pureed) is a chore in and of itself.

Re: Need help with introducing foods that are more solid

You're probably right - she's just not ready. Do I wait a little longer and then just try again in a few weeks and see if there's progress? How do you know when they are really ready?

Re: Need help with introducing foods that are more solid

It sounds like she is not ready. Have you tried mashed sweet potatoes you make yourself? They are thicker than the puree Stage 2 version, but you should be able to get them pretty smooth.

DS gagged on cheerios and puffs until he was almost a year, which isn't the norm. I stopped trying to give him finger foods for a little while, and when we came back to it, he did better.