identifiable food in diaper...did he get the nutrients?

[greenteamomma]

Ok  you've all seen what I see when I'm changing a diaper.  I just wondered if it is worth giving foods if they just end up in the same form at the other end?  I gave my LO frozen blueberries yesterday and he loved them so much and I thought I have the perfect finger food since they are squishier then fresh ones.  I know I can offer them "in" something but just wondered when I offered whole (they are so tiny) and LO scarfs them down if they are getting the nutritional value or atleast some...

[anna*]

I don't know the answer to the question about how much nutrient is absorbed but even if it's very little it's definitely still worth giving - it's great for them to experience different tastes and textures!

[greenteamomma]

I know and agree but lets just say they had not "transformed" in any way.....just wondered.  I know it's just practice now.  LOL 

[anna*]

I have no idea the answer. I would guess the stomach acid and digestive process would process them somewhat, but they probably appear untransformed because of not being chewed?

[Mimi 2]

To help with this issue, I used to mashed/squished some of ds' food prior to giving it to him.  Items blueberries, carrots sticks, peas, corn, noodles, pasta, etc. would come up exactly the same if I don't do this.  I think it is very common as they do not know to chew the food first. 

One way to encourage chewing is to model it so your lo will copy you.  It does look silly as you are making these exaggerated chewing motions but your lo will get it. 

[AmberElise]

Just my two cents... it is safer if they learn to chew too.... those types of small foods are much easier for kids to choke on and very tricky to get out of tiny airways!