I've been trying to feed my, now 10 month old, babyfood since he was 3 1/2 mo old. I kept thinking he would eventually like it, but nothing has changed. Anyone out there ever had this problem? I've tried all different stages (1,2,3), meat sticks, adult food, everything i can think of. he only likes cheerios, puffs, toast, cookies, and sometimes he'll eat cheese and mashed potatoes. He has 8 teeth and can handle many different foods, but refuses to eat a meal. We are getting close to weaning him from formula and bottles.
My oldest daughter didn't like "baby food" either. She was always interested in what my husband and I were eating though. When we would sit down for meals, we would just chop up whatever we were eating into teeny tiny pieces and let her share the meal with us.
Have you tried the fresh baby food, not gerber or beechnut? They sell it at Target in the refridgerated/frozen aisles. I can't remember exactly what it is called. What has your pediatrician said?? If your doctor isn't helping you I'd suggest finding a new one, honestly. They are there to help and guide you as a new mom. You might look into what the mom/occupational therapist said. I've heard about the texture thing and if that is it it would make sense. The other thing is it seems he likes to eat things that are in individual pieces not from a spoon...so that could also be something an OT can help with. Good luck and keep us updated - you'll find something that works!
YOU ARE DESCRIBING MY CHILD! LOL :) YOU ARE SO NOT ALONE. She just turned 1. Besides her milk, rice cereal and maybe 1 or 2 baby jar foods, she will only eat the snacky foods you described but I can hardly get her to spoonfeed any baby food let alone table food. Some doctors say don't provide them any options other than what you want them to eat and they are smart enough not to starve themselves... but you know... I don't know want meal time to be war time or something unpleasant and I'm not trying to just take the easy way out but I figure as time goes by she will just naturally eat more variety and that seems to be the case. Choose your battles :) So I give her what I know she likes and then at every meal, I'll offer 1 or 2 new things and continue to do so until I find something else she likes. She is just now finally starting to eat more things like pancakes and muffins, cheese, blueberries... random things, still not a big variety, but whatever it takes to get her fed and happy. If your baby only likes 3 healthy items and gets a full belly, I say more power to him until he learns to like more as time goes by.
he may actually have a sensory aversion to the texture of baby food and prefer crunchy items. you can try putting a crunchy texture in his baby foods or trying to add a really strong spice/flavor like garlic or tamarind juice to items. i am an occupational therapist and see this w/ some of my kids. you may need a speech therapist to do some oral motor work to desensitize his mouth. there are also OT's who do this as well. it just depends on the facility. a friend of mine had the same problem w/ her kiddo and did get ST and it helped a ton!
Try making it yourself vs. using the stuff sold in stores . . . especially the meats which smell and taste like cat food! I always found my children liked fresh foods vs. jarred foods. For veggies or fruit, I usually put them in the blender/food processor, added a little water, and presto! And you can make a meal of it by blending in some rice or meat. I also found that, for those things my children enjoyed less, I would spoon in a mouthful between bites of the things they do like (such as the puffy treats and Cheerios).
Unless there is some reason he has to be taken off formula why the rush? He may simply not be ready yet. Stop offering him foods, only the things he currently likes as snacks. Wait 2 or 3 months and start over. Maybe he feels pressured and is pushing back, or his little taste buds aren't ready yet. Think of it this way: he'll be eating solid food for the REST OF HIS LIFE, its not going to hurt waiting a few more months! :)
I would say do not give it to him! Have you tasted the stuff! My child hated it! We started with mash potatos, sweet potatos, etc....
See what your doctor says. By the way, I always added a little Brummel and Brown! If I liked it, I figured so would she!
Just curious, was there a reason that you started him early on solid foods? My kids DR said babies systems are not ready till about 5-6 months old for solid food, is why I ask.
My suggestion now is to make his food, the jarred stuff is nasty! My son at around 10 months old refused any baby food as well as he would not let anyone feed him. The stuff you are feeding him now are actually pretty healthy, so I would not worry there. Cherrios have lots of vitamins. You can also try spaghetti O's (without meatballs), slightly mashed bananas, over cooked pasta, toast w/ jelly, etc.
Don't forget, he might not like something now, but he might like it eventually. My kids DR said it could take numerous times for someone to like certain foods. It took me over 20 years to finally like pancakes.
my daughter went through this when her sitter was feeding her seasoned table food--she didn't want any baby stuff after that. just give her what she likes with liquid poly-sol vitamins and lots of water. good luck!
