I am so out of ideas for my son! He loves breakfast foods, bananas, peaches, and other fruits, yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, toast w/ jam, some dry cereals, and crackers. I try to feed him what I make for dinner even if I have to blend it up or something to make it work. But for lunches I never know what to do unless it's leftovers or breakfast, and I usually end up giving him snack foods like crackers. I know that has to do with the fact that he can't eat PBJ's or chew ham and he doesn't like bread, so sandwiches are out. And I never know what to make myself for lunch either. I did try mac n cheese the other day and he liked it, but we can't have that every day!
I know this is a silly question but any "baby" food ideas for lunch will be appreciated. He seems to be sick of applesauce, rice, and bread for now. He loves beans and noodles and crackers. Thanks!
Hve you tried hot dogs? My son is frustratingly picky about what he will eat. But he really likes hot dogs for lunch. He also likes mac n cheese.
Hope that helps!
B.
Have the same issues in my house. Grilled cheese is a favorite. Chicken casserole (macaroni, canned chicken, cream of chix soup and veggie of your choice-peas work nicely and sometime cheese). Pizza also goes over big. Mine also seem to like soups-like chicken noodle with most of the broth going to one of the older kids. It is hit and miss around here somedays though!
Will he eat tortilla's? If so you can melt cheese and make a quesadilla. I also would make soup and give Amelia the cooked veggies or beans.
Like the others, my kids loved chicken noodle soup with most of the broth poured out. I also got a good idea from a neighbor who would put little pieces of turkey deli meat (easier to chew than ham), canned green beans, and steamed broccoli or carrots right on the high chair tray. My son LOVED eating the green beans because he could feed himself and to this day still loves them. Also try banana or strawberry chunks, mandarin oranges, and yogurt. Best of luck! By getting into the habit of feeding my kids lots of fruits and vegetables while they are tiny like this, the easier (although not simple!) it has been to get them to eat them later.
Lentil soup made with chicken broth and whole grain rice has always been a favorite for my daughter. I can tell you how to make it if you like.
Hi P.!
I also do frozen burritos, just cut the end off and let them chew on it. Chicken nuggets, of course. I do a lot of jelly toast (for breakfast, we do French toast and French toast sticks, with chopped up orange slices and sliced banana). Peas! Always good with babies. Same with corn. Can even give frozen peas and corn- they can't really choke on it and think it's a treat! Go-gurt, frozen, chopped up- love it! Angel hair pasta with canneloni (great northern) beans and parmesan- old stand by. Chopped up pizza bites. Chopped up corn dog or hot dog- obviously, not an every day option. Chopped up, well-cooked green beans.
Hope this helps!
My son had a ton of teeth at 11 months too (10 by 12 months and he is working on #15 and he just turned 13 months!!!). He actually had no problems chewing lunch meat (ham or turkey) as long as I cut it up into smaller bites so he could pick it up himself and feed himself. Now, at 13 months, he likes sandwiches. I know you said he didn't like bread, but you might try a jelly and cream cheese sandwich or cracker sandwich. My son loves them and it gives him a different flavor since he can't eat peanut butter.
I also buy chicken patties and chicken nuggets and cut them up into smaller bites and put a little katchup on them. My son LOVES katchup!
I also buy the small microvabe cups of veggies (come in a 4-pack in plastic containers) that you can get in the canned fruit/veggie aisle and pull back the seal a little and microwave for 30 secs, then drain the juice and give him that, so he gets either a fruit or veggie each meal.
My aunt used to open cans of beans and feed them to her kids straight from the can (don't know how healthy that is, but they loved them and didn't seem to harm them any). They liked ALL types: kidney, garbonza, etc!
My son also likes pizza cut up small, mac and cheese (both Velveeta and Kraft), any noodles with sauce, hamburgers cut up small...at his age, you should be able to give him pretty much anything (except the obvious fish if you have a family history of food allergies- talk to your MD first about this, hard things, nuts, honey, etc) you would eat and he should be able to start chewing smaller bites rather than just needing blended all the time. Start him on soft things first so you can see if he is prone to choking (my niece is...she is 3 and still needs her food cut up into miniscule bites), but if not, you can just start giving him lots of variety of things. Good luck!
S., 26, mom of Tyrrone, 13 months
Try cheese cut up in small pieces. I get the cheese sticks, they are really easy to cut up into small pieces. They make a variety of pasta noodles, so my little daycare baby (who is 12 months) loves to have different noodles. Peas are also good for learning to pick up little foods. You could try hot dogs, cut up into tiny tiny pieces so he doesn't choke. Chick peas are also really good. A good source of protein and easy for little fingers. Just don't forget to shell them! You can get those canned. Gerber makes little raviolis and toddler meals that my kids really liked as babies. They also have mashed potatoes and soups. You can try cherry tomatoes cut up in small pieces. Make it colorful and a various! It's a lot of work getting together a good lunch for a little one like that. Hope these ideas help you!
Try getting the big bags of pasta from the bulk store (like ravioli, or tortellini) then you can just make 3 or 4 when you need it and save the rest (they have some that you freeze, and some that are dry) Another thought is to buy the cans of diced vegetables. There is a particular brand that has almost no additives, and you don't even have to heat it up. Just strain it and put some on his tray. They are the perfect finger food. Just a reminder, NO popcorn, nuts, corn chips(they can be very dangerous, my pediatrician said not before 3 years) or hot dogs, and cut grapes in half.
Some homemade soup (served cool enough to eat, of course and made with lots of small chunks of meat and veggies, barley and the like, mashed or whipped potatoes with tiny chunks of meat. Besides the things you are already feeding him, those are the only things that come to mind.
Pasta is always good. I know it sounds a bit odd, but my son loves ramen noodles with cut up boiled eggs in it. chef boyardee (SP?) ravioli is always quick (though very messy). grilled cheese strips, and left-over dinner are all things I gave my son. If he can't do sandwiches, cut up the meat and cheese into bite sized chunks, and give it to him with the crackers. It's basically the same as a sandwich anyway.
As long as your son is still drinking formula, if he isn't hungry, he is getting most of his nutrition through that anyway. If he only eats a little that's okay!
My 12 month old with 4 teeth eats fish sticks, pieces of chicken, spaghetti w/ meatballs (you can make beef/turkey pattys ahead of time and freeze), brocolli tops, mashed potatoes, grilled cheese, mandarin oranges or any of the fruit packs, the little jars of cubed toddler carrots, or a can of chicken, beef, or minestrone soup with the broth drained (a very easy lunch!) . Your l.o. can chew, you'd be amazed at what he can eat. It is a challenge sometimes to find variety and veggies for sure. Good luck.
