Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

Andy has been refusing baby food for several months, but he can't handle most table food. So he eats a lot of formula. One doctor at our practice tells me not to worry, food is never an issue. Then we saw a different one who was horrified that he was mostly on formula and told me that I need to get more table food in him.

So I keep trying and twice this week he's choked on small pieces of food and was unable to breathe. I took a infant/child CPR class, so I was able to get the blockage out and he's ok, but my nerves are shot and I don't know what to try anymore. The only things that he hasn't gagged/choked on are gerber puffs, cheerios, and once in a while he can do the gerber wagon wheels.

Any suggestions for something I can give him to self feed that he won't choke on? I really need suggestions for things I can make since he has a severe milk allergy and many store bought items have something with milk in it.

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

What about pastina or small pieces of cheese? I also give DS Eggo waffles in small pieces.

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

He can't have any of those since they all have milk in them. We've tried very small egg noodles and he doesn't like them, and yesterday he choked on the milk free waffles I found, so I'm too scared to try them again.

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

Ok, let's try again... what about eggs or meats? DS will eat small pieces of turkey and ground meat (hamburgers or meatballs) When you gave your son egg noodles, did you give it with sauce or just margerine? I have found that DS prefers his pasta with tomato sauce.

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

scrambled eggs, small pieces of hamburger, meatloaf or turkey meatballs...
watermelon is easy for them to eat...
How about pieces of bread?
Cold cuts...
The Gerber graduates raviolis cut in half...
Dr. Pragers veggie pancakes are soft...

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

I had the same problem with Andrew up until a few days ago and then all of a sudden he stopped gagging. I know how scary it is

I have been giving Andrew microscopic pieces of food. I cut it soo small but he loves it and is now refusing baby food at dinner time.

I have given him chicken and herb rice, mac and cheese, pork, terryaki chicken, broccoli, corn, hamburger, scrambled eggs, french fries, chicken nuggets, and really anything we are eating I give him and he will eat.

The great advice I got from the LIFers was to keep trying and all of a sudden things will change.

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

Cathy,

Grace has a BAD gag reflex. I mean EVERY time she eats table food, she gags and throws it up. HOWEVER, she did eat mashed up baked ziti and broccoli the other night. My pediatrican is not too worried about it and told me that some kids just gag on table food. Listen, when you DC is 5 yrs old he will not be eating baby food.
Do what is best for your baby. If that is baby food, so be it. I made myself nuts comparing Grace to other kids her age and trying to make different foods for her to try. Each and every time with the exception of the other night, she gagged and threw it up. My MIL, my mother, my father, My brother and SIL and DH all were telling me to give her eggs, pastina, bananas, etc., etc., etc. I would tell them she is going to gag and throw it up and they did not want to hear it. They gave her eggs at a Mother's Day brunch while I was in the Ladies room and SHOCKER! Grace threw it up and gagged.

Point being, that you know your kid. If he can only eat jar baby food right now, that is fine. As long as your ped it not worried, there is no need to force it IMHO. He will eat it when he is ready. Just try different things once a week or once every two weeks, this is what I do. So the other day she ate the ziti and broccoli and I was SO HAPPY . It will happen, in time. HAng in there. HTH

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Oh another good one is mashed potatoes, or small chunks of sweet potatoes. You can also give DC some melon; it's kind of slippery, so you may want to give it in those mesh bags.

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Thank you again everyone. It helps to hear that he's not the only kid who is/has gone through this.

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Steven is a gagger as well!! And allewrgic to milk- wonder if there is a correlation? But he won't touch anything cut up so table food is still not happening.

One question though: where did you fing milk free waffles and margarine?

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

Message edited 6/8/2007 8:56:31 PM.

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

My DD isn't on table food yet, but she does have a milk allergy.

Do you have a Mrs Green's Natural Market by you? They have LOTS of milk free products!!!

Good luck

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

Posted by Charly

My DD isn't on table food yet, but she does have a milk allergy.

Do you have a Mrs Green's Natural Market by you? They have LOTS of milk free products!!!

Good luck

Re: Older babies who can't/won't eat table food

oh sorry - I didn't realize it was only a Westchester/CT store.