Author Topic: 9 month old does not like "thick or lumpy" foods (Read 9587 times)

Danielsmommy · « **on:** January 14, 2011, 12:03:51 pm »

Hi, my Ds had been on pureed baby food since 6 months. I have tired a few times in the last month to start giving him thicker foods. He is sually ok with thicker cereal but when it comes to food that might have a few lumps in it, he gags and then vomits. Any suggestions on how I can start introducing lumpy food to him? Is there any stage 2 foods that can get him ready for stage 3? Stage 3 turkey stew was what he originally vomited with I believe.

I do make some of my own food, some thicker than others, he is able to eat some of it but often if he gags without vomiting, he just won't open his mouth for me anymore.

Everything I read says he should be able to eat finger foods by now but I'm too scared to give them to him since he gags over a little mashed potato.

Thanks in advance

anna* · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2011, 12:55:15 pm »

How does he do with Stage 2 foods? You don't have to go through the stages, you can go straight to finger food. Actually, gagging is really nothing to be scared of. It is actually really good, it is his body protecting him from choking. It's not the same thing as choking - if he *does* choke (very unlikely), tip him forward and give him a firm slap on the back between the shoulders, and that will dislodge the food.

It's really important that you let him try new textures. If he gags, just keep an eye open but don't freak out or take the food away from him. If he throws up, just clean up and get on with the meal.

my3girlsjde · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2011, 13:20:30 pm »

My twins never did lumpy at all. They did purees and really had a problem with lumpy textures. They went right to toast fingers, carrot and sweet potato fingers and did just fine. To this day they still have texture issues but I keep trying once in a while and they sometimes try something new.
Your lo doesn't necessarily need lumpy, it's just a transition to finger foods. Sometimes it can be done without the lumps no problem.
HTH

afeswick · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2011, 13:32:48 pm »

I agree with both previous posts-my DS wasn't keep on stage 3 foods...he didn't mind pureed and thicker, but if it had chunks in it, forget it. Even now at 14 months, he won't eat that stuff-but he'll happily eat anything on our plate! I think the issue is he sees it on a spoon and expects it to be a certain texture, versus if he can pick up the food item he knows what to expect. Try some banana pieces or kiwi pieces, your DS might LOVE being able to "self feed", and these aren't really a big choking hazard. Of course, make sure you're right there in case he has trouble. It really took my DS the hang of eating without occasionally choking, but I'm one to talk, even now I can still choke on my food if I'm not paying attention (and usually babies and toddlers are busy eating, yelling, throwing things, etc. )

~inbalance~ · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2011, 16:17:04 pm »

I would go ahead and start trying finger foods. He will learn to manage the lumps and texture if he can handle and eat the food himself, rather than off a spoon. Often babies gag more when being spoon fed because the food is being put directly towards the back of their mouths, where the gag reflux is. But if he can work out for himself how to put food in his mouth, chew, move it around with his tongue, and swallow, he will learn how to deal with it faster.

Here are some helpful links:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=92560.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=70142.0

Danielsmommy · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2011, 14:15:50 pm »

Thank you very much for all the replies. I am sure I'm just a paranoid mom lol I have given him big pieces of cucumber before but take them away once he's chewed on them so much they become soft lol I also take away his baby cookies when I think a piece might break off lol

Martina - thanks so much for those links, I will read them tonight after DS goes to bed. DH will be out for the evening so I can read them in peace

my3girlsjde · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2011, 18:27:11 pm »

Danielsmommy - I do the same lol. Nothing can describe the panic that sets in when you hear your lo gag for the first time.

Danielsmommy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2011, 23:43:24 pm »

I'm glad it is not just me my3girlsjde

We Three · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2011, 00:06:23 am »

My dd HATED stage 3 with the lumps...and when I asked around, alot of Moms told me their kids hated it too. I went from stage 2 to finger food also. Try tiny hunks of banana, tiny pieces of watermelon...have you done that? Millie loved finger foods, but hated those yucky lumps...can't blame her, they are kinda gross.

mmom · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2011, 00:41:44 am »

I started with finger foods early this time around for that reason. I have found that even though DS isn't totally 'eating' them, he is at least sucking on them. He is exposed to a lot more foods than my first one was!

mamatolevi · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2011, 02:51:35 am »

My DS is the exact same. I tried the turkey stew with him a couple of times, he hated it! We did make some progress, he would eat a mouthful and spit out the corn kernels, they were clean as a whistle! So cute

We give him loads of fingers foods instead, there was no point in fighting with him and he seems to love the independance!

Danielsmommy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2011, 23:36:15 pm »

What size of finger foods should I be giving him? I would still be scared to give him something as small as cherrios. Will he really be ok with them and other things cut that size? I think I will try toast tomorrow.......

From a paroaniod first time mom lol

~inbalance~ · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2011, 00:14:08 am »

Choking size is about the size of a grape, for reference. Cheerios are totally fine. They get mushy almost as soon as they get wet, lol. Try putting one in your mouth and see for yourself! If you are really worried you can dip them in water first to make them soft, but they literally disintegrate so quickly it's really not necessary. From a baby led weaning point of view you want to aim for spear sizes or large chunks. I always liked doing pea sized pieces though as my boys could pick them up really easily. For toast you can cut it into strips, or I just give DS2 triangles.

A good test if you are worried is, put the food in your mouth first and try to mush it up with your tongue. If you can do this easily, then your baby won't have any trouble eating it.

If you can't, then it might be a little too firm. Gums are hard, and saliva helps break down food. So your LO can probably handle more than you think. Most of it is just him practicing how to chew and swallow.

I know it's really hard not to worry, but remember gagging is normal and is not the same as choking. Also, the more practice your LO gets trying to eat finger foods, the faster he will get good at it and also the faster the gagging will stop.

Danielsmommy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2011, 13:49:18 pm »

I tired to give him strips of tast today... he didn't like the feel of it in his hands so he kept scrunching up his face lol then i tried to feed it to him and he wouldn't take it. It was actually pretty funny. We'll try again though

Thanks again for the advice

anna* · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2011, 13:51:53 pm »

At 9 months my LO loved blueberries, tiny cubes of cheese, Cheerios, peas, corn - anything that helped him work on his pincer grip!

mmom · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2011, 13:52:42 pm »

I would just keep working on it. At first, the play with it, examine it, etc. If the food is just left there, he will soon want to try it.

Danielsmommy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2011, 15:38:17 pm »

He didn't like toast again yesterday lol - what kinds of things can I dip it in for him? I've heard hummus, is there anything else?

Today I tried cherrios, but I wasn't brave... I moistened them first lol he just played with them but I'll keep trying

I was having pancakes and gave him 2 tiny pieces. The first he gaged, the second he just made lots of funny faces.

I might try some melon with lunch today, not sure yet

Oh and I don't know if I alredy mentioned it but he's becomng a pro with baby mum mums lol

my3girlsjde · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2011, 15:42:33 pm »

I used to dip toast for the girls in applesauce and they LOVED it.

anna* · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2011, 15:45:13 pm »

yep - fruit puree, veg puree, plain yoghurt (full fat), hummus, mushed up avocado, mushed up banana, custard, tomato pasta sauce

Danielsmommy · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2011, 16:07:41 pm »

I would have never thought of pasta sauce Thanks!!!!

I'll try it in a puree with breakfast tomorrow and go from there

IheartR · « **Reply #20 on:** January 21, 2011, 14:39:08 pm »

Hi
We are having the exact same problem!! DS is 9.5mo now and I've been trying to get him onto stage 2 type purees for what seems like ages now. Some he will eat, such as thicker cereal, but something like thicker potato or sweet potato or any stage 2 ready made baby food makes him gag and sometimes vomit. i guess the difference is he can eat finger food - he can manage Cheerios, toast, breadsticks, sometimes dried apricot although anything wet like steamed fruit or veg he just plays with! We have tried pieces of pasta too which he chewed a little but didn't want anymore. I am trying him with loads of different finger foods but he is quite selective about what he wants - most of it gets dropped off the highchair!

I guess my concerns, which I was going to post on a separate topic anyway, so I hope someone can offer some advice are:
1) he's not getting the full range of nutrients he needs as he doesn't eat any meat or other types of protein, as any meat pureed up he spits out. He also gets very little dairy as I think it causes his eczema to get worse (plus he only will eat cheese sauce anyway!). He's also now got quite selective about the veg he will eat! Loves his fruit though.
2) anything I read about it says that it is really important for them to be eating lumpy food by about 10 months otherwise they are likely to become picky eaters and always struggle with this texture. Is this true?! Like you Danielsmommy I don't want to be a paranoid worry mum but DS's eating is getting to me a bit. I seem to spend so much time making foods which he just rejects! Am trying to stay calm and not get bothered when he doesn't eat but it is hard!

Admittedly at the moment he has a cold and is possibly teething so I'm not surprised he isn't eating much but this has been going on for sometime.

When it comes to finger food Danielsmommy, I think you just have to be brave! Sometimes I'm surprised by what DS can manage to eat with very little difficulty, like the first time I gave him a breadstick he ate it with no problem at all!

Sorry for jumping on the back of this post - just thought it was relevant!!

Thanks
El xxx

We Three · « **Reply #21 on:** January 21, 2011, 14:58:02 pm »

I think it's really important to remember that until 12 months of age, finger foods and solids are just for experimentation and practice....a lo's sole source of nutrition is breastmilk or formula until age 1. Having said that, it can make you feel nervous when they gag and reject things...but all we can do is keep offering, keep experimenting, bearing in mind that these offerings are for sensory experience, not for nutrition. Try those baby-safe feeders...my dd loved those with cantelope inside, or soft pears...plus it is good for teething and Mom doesn't have to worry about choking!

Try bits of scrambled egg, bits of baked potato, banana...just keep offering.

As far as stage one foods to stage 2 foods...try adding a little of stage 2 to the stage one...put a teaspoon of stage 2 into the stage one...try that for a few days, then add a bit more.

~inbalance~ · « **Reply #22 on:** January 21, 2011, 15:34:54 pm »

Agreeing with Anne, milk will still provide most of your baby's nutrition until a year. Solid food does add complementary nutrition, but there is no need to stress yet about whether or not your baby is getting enough vitamins, minerals, etc. It's all for practice for now.

Also it helps to remember, that even if some sources recommend one thing or another, your baby doesn't read science journals or nutrional information, so ultimately they are the ones who decide what they eat!! You just can't force them, no matter what the recommendations are.

I don't think not being exposed to lumpy foods will produce picky eaters. The best thing you can do to help your child develop good eating habits is to offer healthy foods and let him have a lot of control over what he eats.

Definitely keep offering.

IheartR · « **Reply #23 on:** January 21, 2011, 16:24:29 pm »

Thank you, that is reassuring! I will keep offering and, like you say, he'll only eat what he wants anyway! Xxx

Danielsmommy · « **Reply #24 on:** January 21, 2011, 21:35:31 pm »

IheartR no problem about jumping on the thread. Some good info was brought out because of it

I am getting braver and giving him more things, the problem is, he won't put any of them in his mouth lol I got a bit of cantelope into him, some blueberry - but had to trick him and put it in his cereal lol and he loved the banana once he would let me put it in his mouth. Anything he picks up he won't put in his mouth, which surprises me because everyting that isn't supposed to goes in the mouth lol I did manage to get his to touch his toast this am. I put some puree on it and he just sucked it off then threw the toast lol

I have been thinking about giving him some egg yolk. Which is better, hard boiled or scrambled?

I tried the safe baby feeding things a few weeks ago and he didn't seem interested, maybe I'll try them again tomorrow.

Thanks again

~inbalance~ · « **Reply #25 on:** January 21, 2011, 21:42:39 pm »

Quote from: Danielsmommy on January 21, 2011, 16:35:31 pm

Which is better, hard boiled or scrambled?

Either is fine. He might enjoy scrambled a little better and it may be easier to pick up the pieces. Try one, then try the other another time!

anna* · « **Reply #26 on:** January 21, 2011, 21:55:19 pm »

You know, even if he doesn't eat them the important thing is that you keep offering. Babies can need to be exposed to a food 20 times before they accept it - and for toddlers it's even higher! Don't hover and watch too closely - if you can bear to, just walk away and get on with doing something in the kitchen, leave him to play. Even if he doesn't taste anything, he is becoming familiar with the sight, smell, and touch of all these new foods, which makes him that bit more likely to put them in his mouth the next time!

afeswick · « **Reply #27 on:** January 22, 2011, 01:12:20 am »

Just remember that these kids can change their mind on a whim...so he might reject toast 10 times in a row and then the 11th time he'll eat it up. Unfortunately it works the other way around too...my 15 month old used to go crazy for yogurt, ate 2 little tubs a day, and then one morning he was having none of it....today I finally got him to eat it after letting him spoon it out of the tub, but this is 3 weeks later....who knows why he changed his mind. If he seems interested in any food you're eating, try letting him have some. This might sound really gross (sorry in advance) but if there was a food that I thought was too advanced, I would chew on it a bit to make it palatable for him or to make it a smaller size, then feed it to him. I know, it really does sound gross but he didn't mind. If it was a sub, he obviously can't bite a chunk off, so I'll almost bite a chunk off and then all he has to do is bite down and pull and he gets that sense of accomplishment (I think).

Does that help? Hope you guys don't think I'm nuts....

Danielsmommy · « **Reply #28 on:** January 22, 2011, 02:15:42 am »

afeswick, I do not htink you are nuts! I actually thought about doing that this morning lol I am glad to hear that other people do it lol

I will continue to give him lots of new foods. Some of what I'm giving him, I know he likes b/c he eats the puree (ie blueberries) but he'll figure it all out eventually

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Author Topic: 9 month old does not like "thick or lumpy" foods (Read 9587 times)