Fussy 2 yr old won't eat meat ... any ideas please!

[Millie1]

My 25 mth old simply will not eat meat which is cut into pieces ... if it goes into his mouth, he holds it to one side til he has a big bulging cheek and I have to scoop it out. Potatoes & veg are a struggle too.

He will eat things like meatballs in sauce with pasta, bolognese, fish pie, sausages but I really need some suggestions about how I can get him to chew and swallow pieces of meat and other recipe suggestions.

Ironically, when he was being weaned, he had such a varied diet - red meat, chicken and fish night about - now red meat (unless minced) and chicken just prove impossible to get into him. Am quite worried about his iron intake though he doesn't look anaemic and I think I probably cover iron from other sources.

Anyway, would appreciate any suggestions you might have. BTW, have tried things like cottage/shepherd's pie & lasagne (tuna as well as meat) - not a chance. He has also started to hold raisins in his mouth like this so it's a new thing but how on earth do I break the habit?

Thanks!

Don't try. My ds (almost 3) eats everything and anything, but he's not big on chewing. He sucks and sucks and sucks, filling his mouth up with pieces of meat and things that don't disolve when sucked. Periodically I hold a tissue under his chin and get him to spit out the "wad" of food. I figure he's sucked all the goodness out it, so it doesn't really matter if he doesn't swallow the rest. And he only does it for toughish things. One paediatrician said that it's common behavior for kids with big tonsils.