Help... please

[Rainbowbaby13]

My little boy is 15 months old and due to a mixture of things the main one being he had a heart operation at 7 months and we were told to wait to wean him once he recovered which was around March time he's still only eating 7 month jar food and I have no idea where to start to change it.

I have to admit my own fear of him choking has made me put it off longer than I should have but it's got to the point where I'm angry with myself for not trying only problem is I don't know where to start

He has Weetabix for breakfast with a bottle of milk then he has a heinz jar at lunch with 2 yoghurts then he has another jar at dinner then a pouch of fruit then another bottle of milk at bed.

He isn't a fussy eater unless you give him something too lumpy then he's just sick

Please any idea how to get out of this rut and give him some more interesting foods would be really helpful. How do I start weening?

I should add it's a struggle to get him to put anything in his mouth he's never liked a dummy and refuses all teething toys the only thing he likes chewing on is his fingers

Are you under a Paediatric Dietician @Rainbowbaby13?

Sounds like you need a bit more specialised support than an anonymous forum can provide

I agree, you probably need a dietician.

@PritiPatelsMaker we had one but we got signed off because his weight gain has been fine and they are happy with his progress since the operation

I'd be tempted to ask for another referral, especially given that he vomits with lumps.

Did they give you weaning advice? Does he see a speech therapist? How is his. Speech developing?
For most DC they start with bits of toast, egg, omelette, steamed veg maybe fruit etc. By holding it themselves they have some control over it and learn how to manipulate the food to the back of their mouths in small enough pieces to avoid gagging.At first of course they do gag but if the adult carer knows. What to do this is fine.Can you. Very slowly allow the lumps to get bigger and the food to get dryer?

Can you taste other food with the sauce from the jars?
Soft pieces of vegetables and fruit
Porridge fingers
Pancakes
Bread

You really need to seek support if he's throwing up with lumps though

Also, check the sugar in the jars and especially the fruit pouches and make sure its not too high. Even if its marketed as baby food it doesn't always mean its low enough in sugar for them to be having it a lot.

Did you try homemade purees? Gradually making them lumpier?

Or any of the blw? Honestly, it's so safe if done right xx

@yikesanotherbooboo @Rowen32 thank you for these ideas I think I'm going to start with some veg and just letting him have them to see if he'll feed himself maybe some pancakes

I honestly take a lot of responsibility for not trying sooner I was just so scared he'd choke while we are on our own but I don't want to hold him back anymore

Plus he actually did grab a piece of toast off my plate this morning and put it in his mouth which is progress and although not the healthiest his dad did give him a wotsit yesterday which he munched on without being sick so I'm guessing he's ready to try more

With regards to his speech he was doing really good with words up until recently for the last month he's stopped saying anything I'm not really sure why although it did coincide with me going back to work but that's only for 2 days

If he's picking up toast you could try spreading mashed avocado on it or mashed banana or even smooth nut butter?

I can understand your fear of choking, especially with everything you've been through but I think maybe watching a video on what to do if he chokes might help?

Where does he go when you're at work and what does he eat there?

@PritiPatelsMaker he spends 1 day with each of his nans and they just feed him the same as he's been having at home

Honestly, I think the key is to cut the pieces so small they can't choke.
I gave mine apple from very young but diced it..
I did blw but I didn't do what they'd recommend and give the long slices of everything cos he'd put it in his mouth in one go so I just cut everything up really small (great practise for pincer grip) and then I could rest easy knowing he literally couldn't choke..