11 month old won't eat solids

[iLoveSpaDays]

My DD who is almost 11 month, has no teeth yet. The only solids she'll eat is:

Rice cakes with Philadelphia
Raspberries & blueberries
Breadsticks (at a certain extent)
Baby crisps/wafers/biscuits

She will suck the juice out of melon and kiwi. She'll chew on apple but then spit out whatever she's bitten off. I've tried her on numerous things such as

Rice
Meat
Pasta
Bread/toast/crumpets
Sandwiches
Steamed veg
Tomato's
Fish fingers
Omelette
Frittata fingers
Carrot/cucumber sticks
Cubes of cheese
Slices of ham
Boiled/scrambled egg

I was told told by staff that she ate a ham sandwich at nursery. She will eat no finger foods at home, only mushy purée stuff! It's as if she doesn't want to chew food. Is my baby a picky eater or struggling because she has no teeth? My friends DD is the same age and is eating everything! I feel like I'm failing and feel like my baby should be eating chunky food by now.

Any advice on how I could encourage her to eat better?

Tia

Mine did favour softer foods at that age, around 12 months it clicked into place and she now eats almost everything, except that she’s still a bit fussy with meat (but loves fish so we’re not at all worried). I would keep on offering the foods she does like in conjunction with new ones, chances are at some point she will decide to try them. And does she attend nursery every day? Other kids eating stuff can be a great influence as they often tend to follow suit, hence presumably the ham sandwich. If you’re worried check with the health visitor but I wouldn’t be overly concerned. And no need for the guilt, you are not failing!

Have you tried soup? If she likes it, gradually introduce soup with bits in - bits that can be mashed.

She'll get there but you can't expect her to eat too much that is solid if she has no teeth.

I have an 11 mo DD who is the opposite! She’ll only eat stuff she can feed herself - ‘finger food’. Purées are pretty much a no go and have been since she started solids (although if I freeze them and put them in a mesh feeder bag she’ll eat that). Honestly, I wish I had the answers for both of us as it’s such a worry isn’t it? I just figure as long as she’s still gaining weight and not crying for food she’s fine and will eat more when she’s ready 🤷🏼‍♀️

Sorry for late reply, I fell asleep! Yes I've tried her with soup with soft lumps in. She'll spit the lumps right out, she'll only eat purée soup. Has anybody got any other ideas that I can try her on?

I forgot to add she'll eat baby tusks/ porridge with mashed banana in for breakfast

Hummus? I make my own and my DD loves that (good for protein too). Greek yoghurt, overnight oats (I make these with milk, Greek yoghurt and chia seeds).

Also frozen berries or any other type of fruit in a mesh feeder bag? Might get her used to some very tiny lumps coming through. I feel your pain! We’ve just had dinner (Australia) and my DD spat most of hers out

Yes she likes hummus that's usually what I give her with breadsticks. I think I may try her with overnight oats. I used to make them a while ago for myself. Thanks!

Just thought of rice pudding too, never made it myself but I’m sure there’s one that’s not too sugary.

I've looked at rice pudding and all the ones I've looked at the sugar content is ridiculous. Let me know if you remember the name of the low sugar one

If she likes smooth soup (and purees), have you tried giving her bits of bread to dip in it? Infact, if she likes to dip (you say she eats hummus and breadsticks) you could make all sorts of things into a dipping meal - slices of steamed apple to dip in custard or yoghurt, pasta shapes to dip into a tomato sauce, soft boiled egg and soldiers etc.

Having said that it sounds as though she is eating, but prefers purees. Does she feed herself the purees? If not, just give her a spoon and let her make a mess. She'll get there before you know it.

Yeah I've tried bread with her soup she he's the bread then spits it out o don't understand how she'll eat at rice cracker but won't eat softer things like pasta or bread. I spoon feed her purée food, should she be feeding herself by now? Thank you

There's no rule really on when she should be feeding herself. Lots of parents never spoon-feed their babies. I didn't like the idea of spooning stuff into my babies, so gave them finger foods and just let them feed themselves things like yoghurts, soups, fruit purees etc. right from 6 months.They made a mess and ate with their hands a lot at first.

I just wondered whether your daughter is asserting her independence and might be more likely to want to try new things if you let her take control? Honestly, just pop a little pot or bowl of yoghurt in front of her, give her a spoon and let her enjoy it. If she gets frustrated you can load the spoon for her then hand it over.

I don't think lack of teeth is relevant here at all. Babies' gums are extremely hard and they can manage pretty much anything (except things like whole grapes and nuts which are a choking risk) with no teeth at all.

Thanks a lot for your advice. I'll let her take control and see if it helps

No advice as such, just to say that ds1 was a late teether (1st at 14 months) and that never put him off. He must have had very sharp gums!!

www.myfussyeater.com/sugar-free-coconut-rice-pudding-suitable-for-weaning/