Is this a balanced diet for an 11mo?!

[Lovage]

My 11mo is really not a big eater. He doesn't eat much and there's lots of things he doesn't seem to want to eat. I wouldn't go so far as to say he doesn't like them cos he's eaten most things once, just generally won't.

He will nearly always eat:
fresh pear
sweet biscuits
pureed prunes with yoghurt or cream
baked beans
cheese
chocolate
miniwheats with cream

It seems like he'll only reliably eat sweet things (baked beans are quite sweet) and dairy. We are doing about 90% finger foods, 5% him feeding himself with a spoon and 5% us feeding him with a spoon (mainly when we're in a hurry). We eat with him at breakfast and lunch and I'll often have a snack at the same time as him in the afternoon. He is still having at least 5 bfs in 24 hrs (including overnight).

He goes to nursery 2 days a week and they say he eats all sorts of things there (veg, pasta, ice cream, fish). So it could be that the other children encourage him. But I worry that it's just that they're not used to babies who feed themselves so they don't realise that he's dropping most of it.

I guess I'm feeling a bit disappointed that he's not keener on food. We both really enjoy food and eat a wide range of things so I guess I expected him to like it too. His sleep is terrible and I keep hoping that if he eats a bit more he might be able to stop feeding at night.

Anyone else's LO like this? Or was like this and is now a great eater?! Or any suggestions for approaches (apart from importing extra children every mealtime!)

Oh yes, we've been there. In fact, yours sounds like a regular gourmet compared to my dd1. I've only just got her to branch out and eat more exciting stuff using a reward chart. It seems she eats cabbage at nursery without a whimper so I've learned not to worry about it. I think it's a basic urge to feed our children but they are just little people who can't be bent to our will it seems!

it's a bit heavy on sweet foods really

try making a pasta sauce an dyou cna hide lot sof veggies like broc and carrots?
will he have toast at all? can spread with mashed banana or avocado or anything soft

Your DS sounds much like mine (who is also 11 months). He used to eat pretty much anything but now is quite fussy. He definitely prefers finger foods so sandwiches are always a safe bet, even though most of it ends up on the floor!

Is your DS teething because I know this puts my DS off his food completely for days at a time.

Also I think they can be quite crafty. My DS refuses his savoury dinner because he knows I will give him fruit after (which he loves).....argh!

I would just keep offering him different types of food and to try not to worry too much (easier said than done though isn't it!)

My ds1 was very similar at that age but is now 4 and a fantastic eater so I hope you can take some comfort in that! I found that eating together worked well so you're already doing the right thing there. As my ds got older I used to give him a meal, which he'd reject, but then distract him with general chat about the day which seemed to relax him enough to (sometimes) try something. Perseverance (sp?) is key and pretending you are calm even when you could throw the food across the room. Good luck.