teaching a baby to swallow

[h33na]

Help!! Can this be done??

My ds2 turned 6 months yesterday, but I actually introduced solids a couple of weeks ago as he was draining bottles and started waking at night etc. At the start he was swallowing food no problem although just small amounts, but a week or so into it, he got a cold and refused to swallow. Since then he just holds the food in his mouth and then spits it out.

Any tips on teaching him or will it just happen?  My ds1 never had this problem so I'm not sure what to do as I know he did it initially.

My 4 hour easy routine is:

7am    7 oz
9am    breakfast
11am  7oz
1pm    lunch
3pm    7oz
6pm    dinner
7.30pm bed time routine + 7oz
10.30pm  4oz dreamfeed

I offer him a spoon or two of food at each sitting but I'm not concerned about quantity. When he did eat the first week, he had a good variety of fruit and veg too.
He's drinking all his milk and napping ok and sleeping through the night and is a very happy little chap. Weight currently is 17.5lbs, so pretty average.

I just thought he'd love food as he stares at us so intensely when we are eating our family meals!!

Thanks

[~*Nicole*~]

I wonder if he had a sore throat with his cold (from post nasal drip or something) or even if he might STILL have one? Would deter him from swallowing thicker things, such as solid food, but milk based liquids would coat and not be so bothersome?

Maybe try some pain meds a little bit before feeding OR waiting another week or so until he is likely over any lasting effects from illness.

If he isn't doing better by then, ask your doctor to check for a throat infection?

Best of luck.

[First Time Mom]

I wondered the same, if his cold is totally over. I would not worry about it, he just turned 6 months, just keep offering it and he should take it when he is ready, it could be that he doesn't have his full appetite back from being sick.

[Lolly]

My DD is a really good eater but has recently had 2 colds which made her gag on solids - she ended up at the Drs who confirmed a sore throat. She has been fine feeding herself finger foods and drinking milk but her mashed foods were a no-no for a few days. Hopefully it will pass when the cold gets better and he'll start swallowing again soon.

HTH

Laura

[h33na]

Thanks for your replies. His runny nose has gone but you're probably right about the sore throat.
I'll just take it easy and keep trying once or twice a day.

Thanks for your help!

[h33na]

Hi - just thought I'd post an update...
Went to get DS weighed (he's 17lbs 9oz) and spoke to the health visitor about the swallowing issue. She agreed re the possible sore throat, but also said that I'm giving him way too much milk a day and need to reduce to no more than 20 oz.
Currently he's having approx 30 oz, so I'm going to reduce the amount and see if he gets a bit hungrier to eat.
I just thought that at 6 months milk shouldn't be reduced??

Any thoughts?
Thanks

[Lolly]

From what I know 20oz is the minimum they need with solids from 6/7 months and when they are established on 3 meals a day. I personally don't think 30oz is excessive, especially when he's only just started solids . If he was closer to 1 year and taking milk over solids I would agree with reducing the amount.

I don't think I would be keen to drop any milk at this age so really it's up to you if you want to follow your HV's advice or not. There's some info here http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=57483.0. Mind you if you spoke to a different HV would you get the same advice I wonder

Laura

[h33na]

I agree with you, I always thought the 20 oz was the minimum.
Think I'll reduce the milk by an ounce each feed just to try and get him a bit hungry for solids, but
when he starts swallowing ( if he ever does  ) then I'll see if he takes it again.Also once he starts eating
I can introduce cheese and yogurts into his diet whch will help.

Thanks for your advice. I think HV's are so inconsistent and really can make mums feel very inadequate sometimes.

[First Time Mom]

I agree with Laura, I would not drop the milk feeds at this age in my opinion. Up until 12 months they are supposed to get the majority of their nutrition and calories from bm or formula with solids starting around 6 month and gradually increasing to take over at 12 months.