1 yr old refuses finger food

[judit.agg]

Hi,

Our son is 1 year old and he refuses to eat finger foods. We have tried it several times. He puts nothing into his mouth (toys or else) since the beginning, only his hands if his teeth is growing (Now he has 8 tooth). It seems that he is afraid of putting anything into his mouth. If we try it he closes his mouth and turns his head. He throws down each finger foods (bread, biscuits, vegetables etc) from the table.

Otherwise he accepts babyfood, soup, yoghurt, fruits and vegetables (light mixed) with spoon, and has a very good appetite too. 

Do you have any ideas, how can we get him to accept finger foods or to eat with his hands?

Any help would be appreciated!

bye,

Judit

[Peek-a-boo]

Hmmm, I'd be inclined to put him in his high chair during meal prep with some finger foods--I'd experiment with different sizes and textures--and then leave him to it.   When his baby food is ready, clear away the finger foods and feed him.  I'd do this consistently for weeks and see where it gets you.

In the meantime, I think I'd consider gradually increasing the texture of the foods you are spoon feeding him and see how he handles that. 

Interested to see what others think. 

[Brodster'sMommy]

I completely understand Judit! DS is 13 months and I've struggled to get him to eat finger foods for a long time as well.

I consulted a friend who told me to place a finger foods on the tray and ignore him. Ie clean up around the kitchen, etc. but not to pay attention or talk to him. So I did. He threw most of it but after a few time he started eating some, then after a few more times, all of it! He will still throw things on the floor but that is now a signal to me that he is done.

It's crazy but it worked for us. Other methods I have heard is lots of positive reiforcement, eating with your fingers with them and helping to guide the food to their mouths.

HTH. Let us know how things go. 

[judit.agg]

Well we have been trying it for a week (with apple, biscuit and vegetables) without any success, but we are not giving up   Just hoping it helps us too!!! Do you have any good idea, what should we give him?
I have tried to feed him today with my finger. At the end he was it who has feeding me with his fingers     

Thanks for the tips!

Bye,
Judit

[Brodster'sMommy]

Toast, cheese, puffs, Turkey, ham, pancake, waffle, pear, pasta, or of his snack foods in small pieces. I knew he already love crackers so I broke those up for him. 

I found soft things like banana and avocado really hard for him to pick up until he got the hang of eating with his fingers.

[lilisuze]

hey judit. does he eat anything if he is a bit distracted, like out in the pushchair? maybe if the pressure is off and he doesnt see it as a battle of wills then he might try while you are out, or with other children, so he can see them trying things. I'm sure there must be a tv show where kids eat things too.

We have had lots of success with cheerio cereal, and puffs as people have said before. You want to aim to get him to try something that has immediate taste satisfaction so that as soon as his tongue touches it he thinks "ooh this tastes good, i'll try again"!

HTH

Lili xx

[wasen]

My 13 month old son is exactly the same. He also has trouble chewing and tends to choke on bigger bits of food. We are stuck on stage 3 foods at the moment. Recently I tried creamy scrambled eggs which he ate up and chewed a few times but finger foods are a real problem. I've tried lots of types of foods but all end up on floor.

Please let me know if you have any success!