Hi J..
I am a grandmother, and auntie to many nieces/nephews. Have babysat hundreds of times for nieces/nephews, and the grandkids over the past 10-15 yrs.
Have experience with little ones~~ right now twin nephews, boys age 2, and another grest-nephew, age 14 months.
The mothers of these boys are quite different.Mom of the twins is an older mother, stay at home, who has time to make "healthy" food choices for the boys, ie: fresh Sweet potatoes, avocado and cheese sandwiches, homemade soups,fresh fruits, and very active with ehr boys. Her boys are great eaters, love food, and have been "feeding themselves" since about 10 months. They always sit in high chair for their meals, mom is very consistent with that, but they can have snacks, juice, during "snack time", or while at the park and on the go.
The 14 month old is quite different. Mom works 3 days a week. Doesn't cook much at all.Buys jarred baby food, does not have child sit in high chair, or any other chair for that matter, to eat. habits are very inconsistent. has a lot of teeth but gags a lot because doesnt chew up food.Doesnt mean mom's a bad mom, she is I would say, lazy when it comes to cooking. Her child is very small, And I feel, very underweight. He loves to eat,but he is not eating very healthy.He gets cheerios, a cracker,or baby puffs at home for his "feed self" foods at home. At my house he eats cooked apples, freshly made oatmeal, scrambled eggs with cheese, toast,pieces of sandwich(cut up small), fresh fruit, veggies. He loves to feed himself, but also likes to be fed. I wouldnt worry about it just yet. Lots of babies eat BETTER being fed-because as we know, they can drop a lOT of food off their spoons :), and WE can put it in their mouth faster than they can(usually! lol) I would start to slowly give him a spoon, let HIM fill it and eat, but you still feed him too. Pretty soon he will want to ALways feed himself, no matter if it's finger food or otherwise. When kids get the idea that they CAN do it, they will, trust me on this.As far as texture, trying adding a little milk or juice if it's a new food or the consistency is different. he may like it better that way to start.
just my 4 cents...not an expert, but lots of experience with little people :)
About Me- Mother and grandma
retired from medical field