Baby Wont Put ANYTHING in his mouth - HELP

[mason28]

Hi ladies,

I've been browsing the site trying to find a situation similar to mine, and haven't seen it yet.  My baby who turned 9 months on March 14th will not put ANYTHING in his mouth.  This is a blessing in one respect since I don't worry too much about him picking up something he shouldn't and putting it in his mouth, however, he doesn't chew on anything - teething rings, toys, books, nothing.  He eats great off a spoon, but I am concerned that he won't ever take any finger type foods.  When I give him something like a piece of fruit, or bread, he takes it in his hand, squishes it up and slams his hand up and down on the tray.  He eats great from a spoon, but I'm concerned that he'll be eating pureed food until he is two years old.  I know I'm probably worrying needlessly, but I was wondering if anyone else's baby has been this way and what can I do to assist him.  Any ideas?  Please?  ANyone?

[tylersmommy]

Tyler was the same way...zero interest in putting things into his mouth at that age. Suddenly, one day he stopped eating from a spoon, but still wouldn't put food into his mouth. I kept giving him finger foods on the tray, and I'd pick one up off the tray and feed him from my fingers. We went on that way for a little while, until one day it just clicked. I don't think he tried until he was almost 10 mo old. So it's normal, and it's okay. Just be patient, and he'll come around when he's ready!

[Deb_in_oz]

we had oral issues with Liv (bottle, texture, ggging, etc) and at 6-8mo she was not putting anything into her mouth and we had other issues already that had us working with a speech pathologist who offered us additional help with solids etc. she had us give liv a spoon at each meal and also as a play item so that she could get comfortable putting that in her own mouth for self feeding, then she told us to offer the finger foods at every single meal and eat something with her...as she was not even trying to put the finger foods in her mouth (like the idea to TRY was not even occuring to her) It took a month but she finally started with the finger foods and another month after that all she wanted was to self feed!!!! which became a new problem     Funny thing is that this past month at 12-13 mo she just got the sudden urge to put everything in her mouth so we are NOW at the stage that others had earlier - she wasa late teether too (just got her 3rd tooth) so not sure if that plays into the new urge, but she is mouthing lots of toys and objects just like a little one! so she got there in the end and her oral issues are mostly done now (except still has texture issues)

[mason28]

Oh gosh!!  I can't tell you what a relief it is to hear that somebody else has gone through this and gotten through it.  I figure my little guy would eventually come around, but just to know that it will happen, and that positive feedback and advice really helps.  Thanks so much.  I guess I just have to keep being persistent.  It is funny to watch him watch us (Mommy and Daddy) eat.  He pays VERY close attention to what we're doing but just isn't ready quite yet to cross that bridge.

I certainly appreciate you gals responding to me.  Even my pedi seemed to think it was kind of odd, and I thought to myself that he's seen hundreds of kids - surely some of them are like my Jack.  But he didn't really offer any solution.  So thanks again.  I'll let you know if we get that breakthrough we're waiting for and how long it takes! 

[George's Mum]

Hi - My ds is exactly the same!  I also posted on this board a few weeks ago, as I was quite anxious about it.  Like your paed, our health visitor can't understand why he isn't eating finger foods (he's now 11 months old) and hasn't really come across it before at his age.  Just like your ds, George will not put anything in his mouth - even when he's teething.  I don't think it's lazyness, I really just don't think he 'gets' it.  It's good to see that others have the same problem as no one else I know does.  Interestingly though (since reading Debinoz's reply to your post re her dd) George has started to refuse food from a spoon (unless it's something nice and sweet!) but will eat from my fingers.  Maybe it means he's not far off!  If he cracks it, you'll be one of the first to know - I know how anxious you get.  I get paranoid we'll end up with this ten year old that refuses to eat anything but pureed food!  Silly I know!  One thing that we have tried with some success is putting a long, thin biscuit in his mouth and leaving it hanging out.  He instinctively puts his hand up to it to hold on to it.  He also started nursery recently - maybe watching the other children will help.  Keep going - let us know how you get on.

[ann1]

Hi  I am just so relieved to find someone else in exactly the same position!  James is exactly 10 months today and has never ever put anything in his mouth - just like you, he has never put toys, etc, let alone any food in his mouth.  If I put small bits of chocolate or cake in pieces on my hand right in front of his mouth he just leans right forward with his open mouth to hint at the fact he wants me to put them in!!!  It's unbelievable, but I am so glad to hear that it is apparently normal.  James is my fourth baby and I have never experienced this before : all the others went through the putting everything in their mouth phase early, and as you say, its great in that way!!

[Gage and Sophie's Mom]

Hi ladies. I am having a similar prob. with Gage. He has only tried putting food in his mouth a couple of times, but didnt have much sucess. I have put a cherrio and Gerber star (not at the same time) in his mouth and he inhaled it and choked. Does anyone know how to help with this? Also, what do you offer for snacks if finger foods arent in place yet? I would like to intro a snack in place of a bottle.