Infant Eating Habits

I agree with the other posters about this issue. My 2 year old wasn't good with solids until well after his first birthday. We tried rice cereal at 4 months and he would just push it out with his tongue. We tried again and 5 months and 6 months with the same result. He eventually got it, and was on baby food long after when I thought most other kids were already eating table food, but now he can eat regular food just like any other 2 year old. My daughter, who is 7 now, was quite the opposite. She started rice cereal at 4 months and progressed very quickly from there with all sorts of solids. Each child is different and as long as they are getting the nutrition they need, I don't think it matters much where it comes from when they are still so young. Please don't worry. He's not "behind". He's probably just taking his time enjoying his infanthood for as long as he can. :-)

I know how you feel. I have two boys that were born as a premie.(my oldest was born 8 weeks premie he is now 8 and other one was born 6 weeks premie he is now 3.

When it came to what they were suppose to do at each age they never did it. I ended up throw out all the "normal books"
we ended having to make up everything as we went.

As far as your little ones eating stick with the baby and what he knows and is use to. Changeing things also confuses him at this point. Once a week try something new for a about a month. Like every Friday give him some mashed up banana's for two weeks then on the third week give him some every two days and then on the last week try a little every day. If that doesn't work than he isn't ready and that's ok too. He will let you know when he is ready. He will start eyeballing you plate and trying to grab it. I used to let my kids when they were about 10 1/2 to 11 months old when they really started grabing for my plate. I would give them my plate and let them pick what they wanted to try. (I made sure that all the food on it was mushed up so they could eat it. If they thought it was my plate they wanted it but if I just came them a plate like my they would never try anything) It's the power of "it's mommy's and I want it"

I really hope this helps I know how hard it is when you see all the other little kids your kids age doing new and cute stuff and wanting and wondering when and why can't your child do it. It use to break my heart then we found our groove and now we are having the time of our life.

J.

I think what you're seeing is that "normal" is really a very broad spectrum. While many kids your son's age are eating table food, there are many who will eat baby food until they are a year old and beyond. During my son's first year I babysat a boy his age (they were 3 days apart). Both kids were in the same environment, both had my older child (then a toddler) to watch and emulate. My son gobbled up baby food like crazy and moved on to table food by the time he was 9 or 10 months old. The other boy wouldn't take food from a spoon at all. He was a full year old before he ate much more than breast milk or formula. Both boys developed normally and even achieved physical milestones like crawling and walking at about the same times.
Go with what your pediatrician says. Remember that this forum is just a bunch of moms sharing their on personal experiences. As long as your boy is otherwise developing normally, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. He is taking his time and figuring things out his own way.

My son did the same thing when he was on the soy formula. You just need to be patient and let him eat what he wants to eat. If he doesn't want to eat anything with texture, that's fine because that's perfectly normal. My son wanted nothing to do with textured foods until he was almost a year old so don't worry, he will be fine.

V., my daughter was only 3 weeks premature and NEVER ate stage 3 foods. Everything had to be smooth. She has a very sensitive gag reflex even now. She was on stage 2 baby foods and things like yogurt and mashed potatoes until she was 18 months. Then we started feeding her 'real people' food. My son by contrast was two weeks early and by nine months he could tear up a chicken wing. LOL All children are different. My friend has twin boys and one wouldn't eat anything with texture and one would. As long as he is eating and isn't losing weight I wouldn't worry too much about the pickiness now.

My first did not tolerate solids well until closer to 11 months..it was like a switch..she figured out her gag reflex. Once she got it she was great, but she did a lot of gagging up to that point. My second is nine months and eats everything without issue....they are all different so don't worry. He will get it and when he does he won't look back.

K.

Dear V.,
You have gotten a lot of good advice. If you want someone to come make sure everything is okay you can call your local ECI program. I see that you live in Flower Mound so you can call ###-###-#### or go to www.itipnt.org to see what this program is all about. Mom's have "gut feelings" and they are there for a reason. Only you know what is best for your child so go with your gut.
J.

HI V.-
My daughter was 5 weeks premature and had the same problems. She is now 22 months old. She did great with her formula and with cereal and stage one and two foods. But when it came to stage three or foods that I had mashed up she too gagged. Anything that had a mixed texture she also would gag. In addition, she has always been in the less than fifth percentile for weight. Right now at 22 months she is only 19 lbs 13 ounces. But, my ped told me not too worry. I did take her to a food therapist and they basically told me to calories in her and not so much be concerned with the texture. And, they are right she did start eating other "real people foods." So, I understand your concerns, but he will "grow into textures." As far as her weight is concerned I had to start adding creams, butter and other "fattening" foods to her foods. She also drinks milkshakes made with Instant Breakfast milk. Try not too worry too much!

V.,

You're succumbing to the 'everyone else's baby/child does it, why not mine' conundrum. You'll really be much happier if you stop! Your children are going to develop how they want to develop, when they want to do it. Unless your child is significantly behind in major developmental milestones, try to relax. He'll eat his bananas and avocados when he's ready. At times like that, I try to remind myself that you don't often hear of college freshmen still taking the bottle. :)

Ali

V.,
I agree w/ Maggie. In the Pedi office we always remind mom's that your child can't read the book that says "at this age....". He is special and unique.
At this age he is getting almsot all of his calories from formula. Don't worry!
One of my babies (I have 4) HATED all baby food ort mushed food. He went straight to finger foods.
As Long as he is growing and your Pedi isn't concerned I wouldn't be either.
D.