11 Mnt 2 Wk Old Won't Eat Finger Foods. Need Advice from Moms in Same Situation!

I had the opposite situation, so I'm not sure this will help. Both my sons began refusing to be spoon fed around 8 or 9 months (hard to remember, really). I started with graham crackers and biter biscuits. Both are very easily dissolvable, so no choking hazard, and a little bit sweet. They are also very easy to hold. Do you still use a high chair? You could sit her in her high chair around mid morning when she might be ready for a snack and put one on her tray. A few other things you could try: whole wheat bagels, cheerios, a piece of apple in a mess self feeder http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Fresh-Food-Feeder-Colors/d...

Anything "fun" that you can think of. Also, I actually was not using a high chair at that age. I was using a booster seat at the table. I did this because my kids were on finger foods. I would prepare a plate with more food than I would eat. I would sit next to them and give them 2 or 3 bites of whatever I was eating. Whatever they finished I replenished until they were done. I did this at each meal.

I agree with the others ... try not to worry too much. She really won't eat baby food forever.

Mine wouldn't eat ANYTHING, until I totally took the bottles away. (at 12 months) He simply was not hungry.

She is not ready.
Don't rush it.
Not all kids are on finger foods at this age.

At this age, foods still need to be mashed.
SMALL minced up.
Or foods that MELT right away.
Or they choke and like your child, their 'gag reflex' is still there. This reflex is for a reason, so they don't choke.

Don't make 'eating' or mealtimes, unpleasant. Or that will create more problems.

My son didn't start eating finger foods until he was about 14 months. He was really "concerned" about getting his fingers messy - LOL!!! One thing I tried was to have me watch me and then he would mimic me. We started with really soft broccili bits which he loved. I made made the "yummy" noises too. Your baby just isn't ready yet and that's okay. Just keep trying.

Totally normal. My first two didn't eat solids and barely ate finger foods until age 14 months. They were about 98% breastfed until 14 months old...not exaggerating!

My next two have switched to solids/foods much sooner. One was about 10 months old that she started solids, and gradually increased her solid amounts as she got older. The other was 8 months old with solids, and around 10 months she refused baby food and will only eat table foods. She's about 70% on milk and 30% on solids at almost 13 months. But that's a lot more than my first two!

I wouldn't stress over it. I'd also suggest not forcing it at all. They learn at their own pace. They won't die or be malnutritioned by going on solids/finger foods later.