Offer what he likes?

[shellsy1321]

My 9month old has been a great eater pretty much until these last few days.  Unless its white or orange, he will turn his head.  Should I then just offer him what he likes after his refusual? 

[anna*]

I'd say no. Otherwise how will his palate expand? At this age solids are about new tastes and textures rather than about nutrition. How is his pincer grip? How about offering some little pieces of peas/blueberries/cubes of cheese on his tray so he can enjoy picking them up and feeding himself?

[shellsy1321]

Thank u!  Thats how I felt!!  Mommy gut always right lol  I dont have my BW bk so wasnt sure what Tracy says.  But so frustratin.  He loves blueberries but all of a sudden, turns his head at the sight of them!  I really havent done many finger foods because he will just pick up and drop on floor.  I need help with this PLEASE.  Today I gave him shredded chedder..orange and fingr food...went great, made faces but did a few taste.  Then tried mozz at dinner but didnt even touch it. Ive given him puffs, doesnt care, cheerios once and gagged -but learnin thats norm.  Loves teethin buiscuts which scare me cause he bites of pieces, but since those he is more open to chewin food.  He has all 4 tops and bottoms since 4months old.  So any advice for how to keep introducin finger foods?  And whe he says no to his blueberrie oatmeal, then just make feeding time over??

[my3girlsjde]

My girls went through a 'hot dog jag'. Even though they are 2, I'd still follow the same principle as it was over within a couple of weeks. Offer what he likes, along with something questionable and perhaps something new. They demanded hot dogs so that's what they got with a slice of toast and apple for breakfast. I made ZERO issue out of it because as I'm learning children control eating, potty and sleep if you're not careful lol.

After a couple of days, they started picking at the rest of the stuff and then they started eating everything, then they quit asking for hot dogs altogether. They didn't starve, and I just went through a bunch of hot dogs. If he wants orange, give him orange plus blueberries and something else. At that age, I always liked serving cooked carrotts sliced thin lengthwise. It's a little messy at first but keep it fun and that pincer grip will come in nicely. Cut up bananas into thirds after you slice them, baby mum mums are good, toast fingers (cheese whiz will make them orange) etc.

HTH

[anna*]

Finger foods, just put a few pieces on his tray, leave him alone to explore/play/taste. Honestly the more low-key, low-pressure you can make mealtimes - get you both in the habit of it - the better set up you'll be for the toddler years. As you've found out there's nothing wrong with gagging, doesn't mean he doesn't like something. Also remember that a kid may need to be exposed to a new food 20 times before they'll accept it - so if he doesn't like it, just keep offering it! Doesn't matter if he doesn't eat - at this age he's still getting plenty of milk feeds anyway - it's just about seeing/tasting/touching/smelling new flavours.

[my3girlsjde]

Oh, cooked sweet potato or squash in thin sticks were favs here too

[shellsy1321]

Thanks for advice..I think cutting things in stick like shapes will help..I just thought that at this stage its little dices?  Thats why i think he liked the teething buiscut, he could hold it and chew.  And I think I get afraid of overwhelmin him. Funny trying not to make an issue, Im makin an issue 

[anna*]

Dice, sticks, whatever works!

[~inbalance~]

9mos is a GREAT time to start offering finger foods if you haven't done much already!  Here is a link with some tips:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=70142.0
Also, jump in here to see what other mommies are doing in the way of finger foods:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=175926.0
You've been getting some fantastic advice already.    I would offer a variety of things, some that he likes but lots of new things.  Their tastes are always changing anyway, so this weeks favorite will be old news by next week anyway.    You'd be surprised some of the things they decide they love.  DS1 has always really really loved beets.  Really, beets?     lol

[shellsy1321]

Great thread...is it being a FTM so many food choking fears?  Funny because in the food refusal, he also wanted to spoon feed himself.  Is that a sign?

[my3girlsjde]

Give him a spoon! Lol You can give him something pureed and sticky so he gets something in his mouth from time to time. Oatmeal is a great one too.

Don't worry if he shoves it too far in his mouth and gags. It won't hurt him and he'll learn quick

Keep the camera ready and have some fun

[~inbalance~]

I think most babies will love to hold the spoon and even try to use it themselves.  Definitely let him have it, even if he doesn't get it yet it's good practice and good for his motor skills!

lol, I do think that you worry more about choking as a FTM, it's only natural.  But it's important to remember that it's normal for babies to gag as part of their reflex and they are not actually choking, and not to panic when it happens.  It's important to always be present when they're eating, and it's good to know what to do in the event of choking, but it actuality it's not very common for babies to truly choke.