15-Month Old Having Hard Time Transitioning to Table Foods

My son did not like jarred foods. He always wanted what I was eating. However, if he couldn't chew it to the extent that he felt comfortable swallowing it, then he spit it out. You said your son was just getting molars, that he cries when he isn't able to eat something, and that you have chosen to puree food for him so that he can eat. Good for you. Let him eat his food in the manner he feels comfortable with. As he grows more teeth, he'll be able to do the work of the processor himself. In the meantime, he's eating, happily, a wide variety of healthy foods. Who would complain about that? If you remain concerned about it, try leaving the consistency a little chunkier. See how it goes.

You pediatrician has left you in a bit of a quandry regarding the whole milk. My understanding, and this is just my experience, is that whole milk isn't necessary; breastmilk is all that many humans and other species ever consume; it's just a convienent source of fat, vitamins and calories. According to the pediatric specialist I saw with my son at a feeding clinic, a child your son's age needs to be getting around 1000 calories per day, with 12-16 oz coming from whole milk, and no more than 8 oz juice (considered empty calories). Hope that helps.

Hi L.,

Maybe if you try giving him whole foods, as snacks during the day instead of just in the highchair he might be more interested. Keep trying though. I think that if they refuse a certain food like 20 times then it means they really don't like it. But that is tasting it 20 times. :) Try to increase the amount of time until you give in also. Say 30 mins of him fussing around with the whole food for like 3 days then increase to 35 or 40 mins. He'll get it eventually. I don't know many 14 year olds eating pureed food lol. Good luck and congrats on being able to stay home part time with your kiddo!

K.

Hi L.,

I do not think it is wrong to keep feeding him pureed foods if that is all that he will eat, but you do need to continue to try and feed him other things.

My daughter was really picky and still does not like to eat a big variety of things. I started out with snacks first then just started trying different things until I found something she would eat. She lives on peanut butter sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches and bananas for the most part.

She is 17 months and is just now starting to eat some regular food. She really started eating more foods when I got her weaned at 15 months. You might want to wean from the bottle, but continue to give milk in a sippy cup.

Also, I do not know if you feed her when you eat, but my child is starting to want what I eat, so I feed her at the same time and try to give her things off my plate to eat. This has helped too. She is eating more vegetables and even some spagetti and meat loaf.

Hope his helps. Good luck and do not get too discouraged. He will eat when he gets ready.

L.,

First - the easy one - I would check with a nutritionist about the whole milk - if you don't know one you could probably just call the WIC office and ask to speak to one.

As for the transition to food from 'puree' - though I don't have a solution for you - I did want to just let you know to keep aware of your son and to be in tune with your mother's intuition. The reason being is that I have an 8 year old who has a severe food adversion - he only eats a few things and all are carbs. He survives solely on Pediasure. We have tried to get him 'services' to help with this oral adversion he has, but insurance won't cover it because he has had it so long. If your child is very picky about the texture of the food he could possibly have some sensory issues. If he is easily over stimulated - doesn't like loud noises, bright ligthts or crowds - you may want to speak to your doctor about it and question what can be done if he does have some sensory issues. Again, as his mother, you know him best and follow you gut - if you feel that him not changing to solids is simply because he isn't ready, than don't worry. But if your gut tells you it's something else - listen to it and investigate with your doctor.

Best to you!

I don't think it's "wrong" to keep feeding pureed foods but it does seem unusual for 15 months. It sounds like your son just isn't used to whole foods yet and he'll just take some time to adjust. Toddlers can be very stubborn. I would keep trying and when he's hungry, he'll eat. Giving in everytime by pureeing his foods is like relenting everytime your infant refuses his veggies. Toddlers are very smart and he has probably learned that Mommy will puree and feed him the foods if he complains. Maybe try varying the foods you offer or how you serve it. Like try giving a different type of cheese cut into small cubes or fresh fruit in small bites. I would try to make his food visually appealing in how you plate it and see if it entices him. If it comes to the point where he's not eating much at all then of course I would feed the puree. I agree that there's a point where you have to give in because you don't want your child to cry from hunger. If this continues to be an issue, I would suggest checking with the pediatrician to see if there's some underlying reason that he won't eat whole foods.

About your second question, my pediatrician says that children under 2 should be getting 16 ounces of whole milk daily. I think your pediatrician was just referring to using a sippy cup rather than a bottle with a nipple but it sounds like you've already done that.

I hope this helps! Best of luck!

I love "researchers" who try to tell moms what they need to do with their babies!! I am a firm believer that babies often know more than moms what they need, and if your son gets most of his food in pureed form, then at least he is getting food! My eldest daughter (10 yo now) did the same thing. We would let her have any kind of finger food she wanted, and then made the transition from pureed to whole foods very slowly by feeding foods that were soft on their own on the spoon - ie mashed potatoes, mashed avocado, very soft macaroni 'n cheese, very soft broccoli tops in small bits, beans, oatmeal, cream of wheat, cottage cheese, etc. It took a few months, but she made the transition fine and I was able to integrate what we were eating into her meal time. Bottom line is that it is not wrong to keep giving him pureed foods - do what you and your baby can handle together and don't try to force it because you will both end up frustrated.
As far as the milk goes, our rule with all the older kids has always been at mealtimes they can drink milk but in between we have water or juice; for the babies (under 5 yo) we can have a milk in between meals. Again, no hard and fast rule here except to remember that they need other forms of hydration.
Good luck!