16 month old holding food in mouth and not swallowing

[Maranello4]

Hi everyone! Hope you are all having a lovely Tuesday evening. I'm looking for some advice on how to encourage my 16-month old to swallow. It's only with certain foods - meat in particular that he doesn't seem to like any more but will eat spaghetti bolognese when the meat is mushed up for example. Today I picked him up from the childminder and she said he wouldn't even eat pasta and kept putting it into his mouth like hamster cheeks, leaving it there and then spitting it out later (when you think he's eaten it!). He's fine with fruit, cheese, yogurts, porridge, bread, garlic dough balls etc. I'm especially worried as he was on the 0.4 centile for his weight - is now 9th so could do with the extra calories as he's a very active boy. Loves to play!

[Ferguson]

You have been ignored for a long time, as it's now Friday evening!

I shouldn't worry, as it seems he is eating plenty of good things - I'm not sure about garlic dough balls though? (Do you make those; I don't really know what they are?)

At a similar age our DS only ate bananas and digestive biscuits I seem to recall.

What does he drink? Water or milk is best; not cola or squash, but I guess real fruit juice is OK. Does he (or you) brush his teeth after sweet or acid foods.

[Ferguson]

And what's the significance of your nickname; you don't drive a Ferrari do you?

[NickyEds]

Have you tried him with fish instead? I know some friends whose babies just find the texture of meat quite difficult but fish seems easier.

[ragged]

Aww, what a little monkey.
I honestly suggest don't make an issue of it, for now I'd minimise offering him the foods he finds too fun to swallow. Cheese is pretty calorie dense so a safer bet.

[LittlePink]

Dd went through a phase of this around that age. She's 2.9 now. It didn't last too long but long enough to completely stress me out. She would hold the food in her mouth for ages then spit it all out later on and I'm talking half an hour or so. I don't have any advice only that the more of a deal you make it the more they do it. As hard as it is try to ignore but I know that's easier said than done as I struggled with how annoying it was! It's one habit after another with my dd. her current habit is scratching her face and constantly picking so the scratches don't heal and also sucking her hair so it's sopping wet. The more attention I give these annoying habits the more she does it I'm sure!!

[Maranello4]

Hello ladies! Thank you so much for your help and advice - this is very useful. I don't drive a Ferrari ???? but my husband likes cars so hence the nickname, well done for spotting this ???? x

[Maranello4]

Hi there Yes so the dough balls are basically small bite sized pieces of bread with garlic butter,very yummy!