Introduction to solid food 11 months old

[sfamily]

We are a bit delayed in introducing a LO to more solid food.  He started life with a bit of relux and then had some issues with possible dyphasia therefore we have been using simply thick to thicken his formula since about 4 months old.  We introduced homemade purred foods around 6 months and followed a very slow adoption schedule (scared of allergies).  Around 10 months old we started trying to feed him ground up organic chicken, he had several issues with gaging on the food and then throwing up all of his meal or bottle.  The gaging and throwing up never has really bothered him and he continues to be happy about eating but now we are at 11 months and still we can't get him to eat any solid food. 

We need some advise regarding how we can start introducing more solid foods without our LO throwing up his food at every meal.  I tried a small piece of organic pasta last night and he gaged and threw up again.

 

[katemom]

Hi,

my lo had mild reflux, so I know a little of the frustrations it brings with it...

my lo was better with solid foods than with bottles, so I'm of no real help, but I wanted to ask if you visit any other boards?  There is a good one for reflux, where I'm certain you can get really specific and helpful advice.   

Moderators...am I allowed to supply a link for other boards/websites?

Just hoping to help,

katemom

[Samuel's mum]

katemom - I think that would be fine if you feel it would offer more appropriate help. If you think it's a site that would really 'clash' with BW philosophy you could always do it via PM.

[katemom]

Thanks for the okay, the offer these links, and no, they aren't in conflict with BW concepts, just more specific for reflux sufferers...

The top link is just an intro to feeding solids to babies with reflux, and the bottom link is the link to the message boards on feeding solids where you can lurk through previous posts and ask your own specific questions - I've received excellent advice here (on different topics), but I hope you find the answers that help you....

http://new.infantrefluxdisease.com/starting-solids.php

http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=52

katemom

[Freya'sMum]

Hello! Sorry to hear that you lo is stuggling to get the hang of eating have you considered missing out the lumpy purees phase completely and letting him go straight to finger foods?

At 11 months ds's hand-eye co-ordination and grip ability should mean that he has the skills to pick up large and small objects and place them in his mouth, this means that he should quite quickly pick up the concept of self-feeding. I would exercise caution with what finger foods you offer initially, because altho ds will be able to put them into his mouth quite easily, he is inexperienced in the art of chewing and swallowing lumpy bits, so you might want to start with finger foods aimed at younger babies. Try this link for some ideas:

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=95978.0

The reason for recommending this approach is that babies actually cope better with lumpy bits if they feed them to themselves than if fed them by someone else, this is because they are in control of what goes in, how much etc. As a result they are much less likely to gag or even choke, however please don't be alarmed by gagging/vomiting, quite a few babies do it as part of their learning about how to manipulate solid foods in the mouth - gagging is nature's way of preventing choking, so altho it looks and sounds very unpleasant, it's a very helpful reflex to have!

Also, do you all eat together? Babies love to copy mum and dad, so if ds eats when you eat, he'll see what your doing and think "hey, I'll have a go at that too!", the whole being watched during meals can be a bit off-putting for los, this way is much more sociable and natural really!

HTH a bit?

Ax

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I would actually agree with trying some finger foods.  My experience with lumpier purees is that they tend to cause more vomiting and gagging because of the different textures within it.  I'd try some soft pear chunks or even avocado or banana which will mush in the mouth easily - almost dissolve - and might not trigger the gag reflex. Pasta tends to stay as a "chunk" rather than disintegrate in the mouth, so it might be more gag-producing.  Let us know how things go!