1 year old feeding

[LeafyLainey]

Hello all.

I'm in need of some help/reassurance. My DD turned one a week ago. We have been weaning her since 6 months. To cut a long story short she was weaned on purées, rusks mixed with milk etc.
For the longest time she would not eat savoury up until about 10 months. We went from smooth to textured without much trouble but now we are on lumpy rather than textured DD has taken to throwing up her food after a few spoonfuls.
For a bit of background the reason we have done purees is partly because I have an overwhelming fear of her chocking so have been apprehensive about giving her proper solid food. She would have those carrot crisp things quite nicely but now when she has them she just crushes them in her hand. I tried giving her toast but again it would just get twirled around in her hands and go no where near her mouth.
Her weight has always been fine but since her one year check the HV suggested moving away from the Ella's pouches we were giving her and give her more of our food. But now even when mushed up she has a few spoonfuls and either starts to refuse it or brings it back up. She's on 2-3 bottles a day but I'm starting to dread meal times as I don't know what to feed her that she will keep down.
We have given her scrambled eggs which she seems to enjoy, last night we tried giving her pasta but again she just played with it.
I guess my question is how do I stop the vomiting during meals, it is normal and how can I make sure she's still getting the food she needs.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Firstly I’d drop a bottle, she doesn’t need 3 bottles a day, she online y needs 300 ml and anything above that could be exacerbating the problems.

No vomiting isn’t normal and I’d talk to your HV about that again. My DS struggled with lumps and solid food but his problem turned out to be tongue tie. Do any of the symptoms on the list sound familiar?

I’m not surprised that she’s refusing savoury food too. Even the reduced sugar risks are one fifth added sugar and Ella’s pouches are full of natural sugars too. Babies get a taste for the first foods they are given and yours seems to have been given a lot of sugar . I agree with the HV, definitely stop the Ella’s pouches, she’s not going to learn to eat normal family food if she can just suck on some sugary gloop.

Refusing food after a few spoonfuls is perfectly normal too. At one she can regulate her own food intake and you should let her do this. It’s your job to offer the food but she doesn’t have to eat it. Plus if you look at it like she is just self regulating, it will take the pressure off you when she’s indicated she’s had enough. You have to trust her on this one. Try to prepare meals that you can all enjoy so it doesn’t feel like a wasted effort on your part if she doesn’t eat much. Babies generally eat tiny amounts anyway. Do you think that keeping a log of what she eats over a week would help you? Some days babies eat like sparrows and other days they can eat much more. If you look on what she’s eaten over the week rather than focusing on eat meal, this can also help to elevate your worry when she’s fussy over one particular meal.

If you are after some suggestions of meals, try some of these:

Breakfast
Oatibix with whole milk and raisins
Sausage (cut lengthways) and baked beans
Blueberry pancakes (can be frozen but we normally just scoff them all).
Cheese on toast.
Smooth nut butter on toast.
A banana and some other fresh fruit.
Egg and soldiers.
French toast.
Porridge fingers.

Lunch
Sardines on toast
Salmon fish cakes and veg
Sandwich and raw veg
Savoury muffin and raw veg.
Bean burger.

Dinner
Fish pie.
Spag Bol (I’d put her in a long sleeved bib and put a cheap shower curtain on the floor, it can get messy)
Roast dinner.
Curry (you can make them milder by added natural yoghurt to hers)
Roast chicken/poached salmon with new potatoes and salad.
Chicken wraps
Posh dogs
Homemade pizza.

If choking is a major concern, have you been on a Paediatric First Aid Course? If not, I’d really recommend going on one. Are you this anxious about any other aspect of parenting? If you are I’d recommend speaking to your GP tomorrow. The high level of anxiety that you’ve eclressed isn’t usual and can be a symptom of PNI, your GP may be able to help you.

[MrsFrTedCrilly]

Really good advice from @JiltedJohnsJulie the only thing I’d add is that it’s perfectly normal for children to play with their food, spit it out and explore textures at this stage. It’s a messy business learning to eat. Second the long sleeve bib and shower curtain suggestion!!
There’s lots of good information on the weaning section on Mumsnet have a look there for meal ideas and as much as possible try to embrace the chaos.
Wishing you all the very best.

[LeafyLainey]

Thank you very much for the advice. This is the only thing I have anxiety about and have had it since before I had my DD.
For lunch today she had scrambled egg and some bread fingers and dealt with them fine.
She does eat savoury now and I know it's because I offered sweet things first.
As for the tongue tie I will look into it, they thought she had it when she was born but they said it wasn't bad enough to get it snipped.
Thank you for the meal suggestions will try them out.
I am planning on sharing a jacket potato with her for dinner this evening.
Thank you again

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Oh a jacket potato is good! What filling did you serve it with and how did she get on? [smile

[LeafyLainey]

I served it with tuna and cheese. She loved it. She had scrambled eggs d sow bread for lunch also loved that. Thank you again