Mother of a 9 Month Old Looking for Advice on Feeding.

When I was a first time mom I worried about all that stuff too. Now, a mother of 2, (3 & 15m) you realize that babies don't need to be as complicated as we make them.

Here is the one thing I have learned along the way...babies will let you know when they are ready for something and when they are not...no matter what it may be. If he's gagging then wait. If you want to give it a try in another few weeks, go for it...if he still gags, he's not ready. Don't fear developmental delays....every baby is very different. My daughter did everything 3 months earlier than the books say kids should, and my son is doing everything 3 months later than the books say he should. He personality is so laid back and she has always been so very eager to do and learn new things. It's just the kid.

My babies (2 of 3) didn't have anything but breastmilk til they were a year old. I am sure he is fine! No worries. He will eat when he's ready. Some baby's gag reflex is stronger than others

Hi M.,
My daughter was slow to move on to "big kid" foods too. in fact, she wouldn't even take the 3rd foods until she was almost 12 months. she would eat some finger foods, but was very picky about textures (no meat, bread, etc.) She is now 18 mos, and is just starting to eat more variety. I couldn't believe all these people that said their babies at normal foods under one year. I couldn't imagine, because my daughter did not. She would gag as well, as she was trying to swallow things whole. (she is only now getting her 7th/8th teeth, so that might be part of it.) anyway, i would plan your son's meals to be the baby foods if that's what he'll eat, but continue to give him bites of your food, or other foods to keep trying his willingness for it. my daughter has slowly become more willing to try new thigns. i just kept offering them to her. i never expect her to eat them, but eventually, she does.

When they are ready they often start reaching for the food on your plate. My son was similar, but one day reached out, grabbed a french fry and never looked back.

He will let you know when he is ready....either by pointing to something he want or wanting something of yours whether at home or in a restruant....no need to push him into anything or even worrying about. They aren't little long enough....

Hi M.,
My first just turned a year old a couple of weeks ago. He was the same way, he gagged on stuff. My ped. just said to keep trying. And sure enough he started on his own getting the hang of it, when he was ready not us! It was around 11 when he was real interested and comfortable with the puffs. We are now working on table food (even though he doesn't have any teeth) and he shows alot of interest in what we are eating. Give your son time, he'll be ready before you know it. Just keep trying every couple weeks.
Good luck!

I'd try little bits of food that your family is eating that aren't likely to trigger allergies. Put a bit on his tray experimentally. Keep the tone happy and light, and let him decide if he wants to try it, or even put a tiny bit in his mouth if he seems willing. I found mealtime with the family the best environment to get them interested. I didn't use babyfood at all with my last child who started solids between 7 & 8 months. She loved to take 1/2 banana and play with it and eat some off her fingers. Messy but got her interested in feeding herself. I definitely wouldn't try to pressure him. Some kids gag easily and it takes longer. I don't think the idea of just dropping it till he's past a year makes sense unless he has developmental delays. Make it a social experience and he'll jump in when he's ready. Good luck!

I feel your pain!! My daughter was the same way, still is a little. She'll be 11 months old this week. I stopped offering her the chunky foods and finger foods for a while, probably about 3-4 weeks. Then I started again. She's doing much better now, has been for the past few weeks. She eats the puffs now, but still gives dirty looks when she puts them in her mouth. But she likes the taste so she keeps trying. She's good with some chunky foods and others she still gags. I keep telling myself the reason she won't/wouldn't eat the chunky stuff is because she doesn't have teeth yet. She's finally getting a couple in now. One looks like it's about 1/3 of the way through and the other just started. Of course it's been nearly a month since the first one first poked through!! I would say to hold off for a little while, maybe just a few weeks. Then try again. He'll get it eventually =) Good luck!

No worries Mom.

Take a break. He'll let you know when he's ready. Keep offering from time to time and he'll eventually want the finger foods as well. He will eventually want what YOU'RE eating so he can be a big boy and be like mommy and daddy. At thing point, he is still getting the majority of his calories from his milk. Solids are a just a suppplement.

My daughter is 17 months old and feeds herself and STILL if she puts too much in her mouth she will gag from time to time. Just make sure you're around when he is eating. The gag reflex will subside and he will learn how much he can take at once.

Sometimes, like other moms have already mentioned, you just have to let them choose their own pace and go with the flow, as it were. My son hated finger foods when he was tiny (even cherrios! still won't touch 'em at 3), and in general is just really picky about what he will or won't eat. As long as your son is growing well, and the doctors say he checks out okay, don't try to rush him into "big kid" foods. We had to push a little with my son around 14 months, since he was refusing to eat -anything- for a while, and it created a huge power struggle that left me with a virtual bald spot. Just hold off for a while, and offer it here or there without any pressure.

Hi M.,

I wouldn't worry about self feeding. When your child is ready, it will be at his own pace. My son was born 8 weeks early. He is now 14 months old and very healthy, but doesn't self feed yet. We try every day practicing with puffs and teething biscuits, but is not interested and likes to gag them as well. He actually just started to crawl a few days ago, so he is definitely behind. There is a program through Royal Oak schools called Early On which he might qualify for if your son is behind in some areas. I can give you the number if you're interested. But they evaluate my son every couple of months and are giving me tips and ideas on how to do things as well, for being a first time nervous mom! Anyways, I would tell you that not to worry and just keep trying to introudce the finger foods as often as you feel comfortable doing so. You won't make a wrong choice. If he gags a little it's okay, I think it's the repetition that matters the most. Although you stated that your son can self feed, which is a good start..my son won't barely do that..ha-ha. Ok, well good luck and I hope this helps you.

H.

He is fine.. he will overcome the gag reflex. there is no hurry for him to eat any thing..

My daughter was on baby food for 14 months becuase she gagged on chunky food... She didnt even like the 3rd food..

Gradually the gag reflex diminished and she started eating more solid food.

Take a break from the finger food. Wait a week and try it again.. If he still gags.. wait another week...

He might do better with small pieces of fruit... bananas... canned pears canned peaches... canned mandarin oranges..

Teh fruit is slippery and they dont seem to gag on it..