1 year old barely eats solids?

[NewYearNewStart30]

My little boy has just turned 1 and he barely eats solids at all. He's ok with snacky stuff like baby crisps, biscuits, breadsticks, etc. And will eat fruit like banana, kiwi, strawberry, raspberry, etc. But main meals are just a no go! He will happily eat a bowl of porridge for breakfast (I guess as it's smooth!)

I offer him 3 meals a day, and he has 3 milk feeds a day (8am, 12pm before nap and 7pm for bed). Meals are offered at 9am, 2pm and 5pm ish.

Any tips to make him eat more 'proper food? He will generally try to put things in his mouth and chew a bit, but then will spit it out rather than swallowing. E.g. pasta, rice, steamed vegetables, etc. Should I be worried? Or will he eventually figure it out? He does only have 2 teeth so I wonder if that could be part of the problem?

I've tried cutting down his milk, but then he will just wake in the night for a bottle anyway!

I feel like a failure with his weaning! But not from lack of trying...

My son was exactly the same. I honestly got so stressed from tearing my hair out over it.

When in the end all I needed to do was give him more time.

You're doing all good things by offering him the foods that you are. Just give it more time. Carry on as you are. Offer him something - if he eats it then great and if not then just try again another time. Offer food from your plate too.

By 14 months my son was eating more and it only increased from there.

He's 4 now and eats like a horse!

Just put some of what you're eating on a plate and leave him to it all sit at the table and if he spits it out or throws it or doesn't touch it then thats fine but don't then give him snacky food. He won't go too hungry if he's having milk.

I got so stressed about this too, but I think DS needed a few more teeth to be honest.

He is now nearly 13 months and has only just started eating himself, and main meals can still be hit and miss but he’s eating wel now.

It stressed me out loads but he’s fine now.

Thank you for your replies - definitely makes me feel better and less alone!

@mogkat that's very reassuring I'm glad he eats well now!

@JustWonderingIfYou yes we've been trying to sit down together more to encourage him so hopefully that will work.

@Daimari I've always thought teeth would be a part of the struggle - but the HVs always say they don't need teeth it's the gums. Good to know this was the case with your DS and that it improved with some more teeth!

I once could have written this. I felt a failure but he just needed more time and suddenly started to eat more and more meals. Once he got teeth it got easier, maybe teething pain was the issue rather than no teeth?! Pasta was a good start, cheese and tasty things to eat rather than any bland baby meals. Don't worry!

I don’t think it’s to do with lack of teeth. My DD didn’t get her first tooth until 6 days after her first birthday and she was eating all types of solids fine from 8 months with 0 teeth. I think it’s more the teething pain as PP suggested.

Just keep offering and he’ll eventually get the hang of it! What have you been doing up until now, purées? Does he eat lumpier purées?

@Vicky1989x i started on purées mostly along with finger foods at 6 months, but he was quite picky! Wouldn't eat anything I made, so ended up mostly doing pouches/jars although I regularly offered stuff I'd made to try and get him used to it. He was eating the 12 month + pouches at about 10 months but they are still very soft/mushy.

I'm now trying to stop pouches and get him onto 'proper' food. But I guess he just needs to learn to chew and swallow it so I need to give it time!

Imo a good breakfast and supper is a good idea! Mine had 2 weetabix and milk before bed!