weaning problems

[rubyroot]

Started properly weaning at six months- had previously tried baby porridge a couple of times.

At 6 months- baby clamped mouth tight for ALL veggies
- refused baby porridge, even though previously had golloped it up.
-ate only sweet smooth purees- particularly likes ones with yoghurt

He's 7 1/2 months and now he will
-eat avocado puree and loves it, but only when I add water to make it smoother
-eat both banana puree and banana cut up into finger food
-eat those corn carrot and tomato puff things you get from the baby aisle in supermarkets
-eat small amounts of savoury: has had sweet potato and there's a couscous casseroley ella pouch that he will have
- eats a bit of weetabix, but only if laced with fruit puree
- eats tiny bits of chicken breast and has swallowed a bit, but not all that was in his mouth.
-has eaten toast, has swallowed a tiny bit, but now just chews and chews and stores in his mouth
- has eaten scrambled egg flavoured with cheese, but again chews and chews and stores in mouth
- has had tiny bits of mozarella from my panini and swallowed.

He seems to be rejecting the more textured stuff and doesn't really swallow, doesn't gag either.

I'm probably doing the wrong thing, but as he's not eating much savoury I end up reverting to sweet purees.

Can anyone help? Any ideas on why he won't swallow, he does seem to enjoy the food that he doesn't swallow- as he is happy to have it in mouth and chew.

Any ideas on getting him to accept more savoury and textured food. I am thinking about blending/mashing some of our meals to make a more textured puree. Going to start with meatballs and pasta tonight.

I am probably over worrying, but I am imagining a future where my child will only eat fruit and yoghurt.


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That sounds totally fine to me, just keep offering all kinds of things!

Mine went through phases where he’d eat brilliantly, then would only eat toast. He’s 14 months now and eats most things, though won’t eat vegetables ‘as is’ (ie. a stick of broccoli), but will happily wolf them down in a proper meal.

I tried to do one spoon fed meal and one where he’d feed himself, and whatever was convenient for the other meal. He also really enjoyed food from my plate, so I’d sometimes strategically position things for him to take.

Personally, I’d cut out sweet things except sweeter vegetables and not offer an alternative. At this point, you don’t really need to worry about how much he’s really eating as long as he’s drinking enough milk.

Other things that worked well for us to sneak in extra calories were sprinkling cheese on things, stirring in creme fraiche to sauces etc.

You can also try things like cinnamon to add flavour without sugar to porridge. Strong flavours can be good too. Mine will happily eat smoked fish, curry and olives but turns his nose up at lots of baby food.

That sounds like loads at only 7 1/2 months. At this age is it mostly about exploring new texture. Don’t forget to keep giving finger food.

Sounds lovely. At this age he will still be developing the skills for processing food in his mouth and swallowing so try not to worry how much is swallowed. As suggested above, just keep offering savoury things. It will come. Food before one, is just for fun. My son took aaaaages to enjoy food so I feel your frustration, but sounds like your little one is doing great.

My son was an absolute nightmare with food! For months! He's only really eating well now he's 15 months. Just keep offering everything. I tried puréed and blw. Try both just see what he prefers. Don't panic, he won't starve. I made myself loopy worrying. I just chilled out and now he eats mahoosive portions. He had his formula milk up until 14 months as wasn't eating well. You have plenty of time

Hi I could have written the same post !ours are the same age too!!
Will only eat fruit or porridge with fruit oh and the puffs!i Keep trying veg and chicken and fish but getting know where !I know how you feel I feel doing something wrong!!esp spent loads of time making purees!!
The replies you got have put me more at ease so thanks for posting

I'm trying stew Tomo we will see!!
Let me know if have any success with any recipes!!

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and words of support- will keep going with the finger food and introducing different flavours and textures. @Copperbeaches- I started to get pouches and then trying to recreate if my baby liked them as was fed up of all the wasted purees.

I prefer to give him home made food though as has more nutritional value, but also happy to give a few pouches to introduce new tastes. If you are into pouches- try the zingycouscous- its a bit textured and savoury, but my baby will have a bit of it.

Will keep you posted if I have any success with recipes.

Hummus was a hit, I think a lot of babies like this and my friend mentioned peanut butter- but baby didn't seem impressed, wasn't really impressed with cream cheese either.

Sorry- its lamb zingy couscous- ellas kitchen

Surely stew will be a hit! It's so yummy and sweet, but not quite the weather yet for a stew

Thanks I will def get that one. Yeah trying same thing but doesn't seem to like my recreations as much !!!
We moved to Ireland a few months a go so sadly always stew weather !!!

Yep- they seem to like the super smooth purees. My baby likes very few of the savoury though he ate butternut squash sweet potato and parsnip yesterday- not much but a bit. Need to buy some butternut squash! Another tip is adding a bit of melted cheddar cheese to make things tastier- could work?!

We tried peanut butter on toast and cream cheese on toast today. Baby kept most of it on the roof of his mouth. We did have some fun though- giggled a lot as he was putting the spoon in my mouth. Nothing really got eaten, but hopefully he'll have some lunch. I'm trying to lighten up and figure if he's happy whilst he's attempting to eat at least it is a good experience.

Any luck with the stew?

Hi yeah I agree I will also relax a bit and make it more fun . He drinks more than enough milk most days so getting what he needs .
Stew failed !!!but will try again as we eat it a lot here !!
Yeah Introducing cheese at weekend so hopefully that might work!
Hope he continues to enjoy trying it and hopefully in time more will go in.
Good luck

Gave him the lamb meatballs I had last night in a passata sauce (pureed), seemed to like it- a bit. He does find the texture difficult though in terms of swallowing- but he'll get used to it

Ingredients: olives, chives, parsley, lamb mince, passata, onion, red wine, garlic.

Garlic, herbs and onion both in balls and in sauce. olives and red wine also added to the sauce.

Also added some grated cheddar to the blender. Going to keep trying to mince up any appropriate meals.

They sound lovely. The passta sauce is a good texture .
We just had slightly more success with apple carrot and squash. Still v sweet but atleast had two veggies in it !!