8 month old, doesn’t seem to like more textured puree

[DaddyandDadda]

Hi

our 8 month old has been doing great weaning, enjoying purées and finger food (toast, veg, puffs).

We moved on to thicker purées which is homemade stuff and she enjoys.

However when we try the 7 month old “slightly lumpy” or “slightly textured” and she doesn’t seem to like. She gags a bit. We then mix it with another smoother puree or add some extra water and she takes it fine.

Should I be worried or am I panicking unnecessarily?!

any advice what next?

thanks!

I wouldn’t bother with baby food and purées, just give them proper food. They’re not learning how to chew and manage food properly in their mouth with the purées and lumpy purées so they are going to gag. Have a look at some stuff about baby led weaning.

This is pretty standard, just switch to more real food.

Have you ever tasted a purchased puree? They are gross!

Yes I’ve made proper meals and pureed them. It’s just when a little more textured that it’s a problem :-)

DD had the exact same problem. Wouldn't eat anything unless it was totally smooth until she was 10m. She's totally fine and recently turned 2. She now enjoys a full range of food and is really good with fruit and veg. She just needed a bit longer with smooth foods, I think!

I would stick to finger foods and follow baby led weaning. Lumpy purée isn't very appealing.

They’re not learning how to chew and manage food properly in their mouth with the purées and lumpy purées so they are going to gag.
So everyone over the age of about 10 when this baby-led fad began just can't eat solid food then??? 🤔🤣
I read some right bollocks on MN sometimes!

Mine didn't like the lumps in the jars but got on OK with a mix of finger foods and mashed foods. I dont particularly like random lumps in my food either tbh. I would expand the finger foods you offer

You'll find that your baby will like the lumpier kinds of foods as they get older.
My four children weren't keen on lumpy foods until they were more than ten or eleven months old.

Remember that babies all eventually become children, then adults, and they gradually eat everything.

I wouldn't worry about it. It's a great sign your baby likes finger foods. They'll get there in their own time. Maybe 9 months on.

Also don't stress about the posts on baby led weaning Vs purees. I baby led weaned baby 1 and did purees and finger food for number 2. They can in fact both eat.

What additional finger foods would you offer?

Thanks for all the advice… I will persevere with the “lumpier” pouches. I’ll continue to mix them with smoother ones and gradually add less and less smooth. Sounds sensible?!

lots of opinions but doesn’t sound like I’m doing too much wrong!

I would stop pureeing anything, just offer a bowl of what you are eating unless it is very hard to eat. All food is finger food.

Have a read up on baby-led weaning.

Not everyone wants to do baby led weaning. It's completely fine to continue as you are, OP. Personal preference.

Continue with the lumpier purees, the gagging is normal and just baby's way of learning. They will get the hang of it eventually.

As for finger foods, they can have pretty much anything at that age. Again, gagging will be normal.

Some finger food ideas.

hard boiled egg
soft cheese
banana
steamed veggies such as carrot, broccoli etc

You're doing great OP, don't be downtrodden by the BLW fanatics! But of course if you want to do BLW, then do. My DD didn't take to lumpy purees until 9/10 months. She's now 21 months and I swear to god, eats more than me. Any fruit, most vegetables, all meat and fish, pasta, lentils....you name it, pretty much guaranteed she'll eat it.

Yeah , that's normal. Mine used to spit the lumps out at first. It is just because it is a change from what they know. Mine eats anything and everything now so giving purees hasn't done him any harm.

The problem with purées is babies ‘drink’ them. It’s not really eating.

Then when they become lumpy they try to drink them and gag. Many babies will struggle to deal with a mixture of liquid and soft lumps. You can’t drink it OR eat it!

I’d suggest mashing food very roughly at that age rather than pureeing it or adding more liquid. Or just give chopped and soft food.

Anything can be finger food. Pasta, rice, mashed
Potato, bits of chicken or fish, fruits, veg, etc

DT’s were weaned on pouches and jars - we worked our way through the age ranges. Sometimes it took a little while longer to move up to the next age range as they got use to the slightly more textured food. I preferred the jars and pouches as didn’t want the mess of finger food or baby led weaning.

Your baby doesn’t need purée anymore. She has teeth now. Chopped up grapes and strawberries, mango, chunks of cheese, pasta or spaghetti (supervised obvs.) all work well. She can really just have a simple version of your meal - e.g. take out her portion before putting spice in a chilli, etc. works well.

Fish fingers are great!

The downside of jars and pouches is they are much less nutritious.

I was more than happy with the benefits of the pouches. Ellas kitchen - lamb tagine

Organic vegetable stock 30% (water, organic vegetables: carrots, onions, parsnips) | organic cooked bulgur wheat 12% (water, organic bulgur wheat) | Organic butternut squash 11% | Organic carrots 11% | Organic lamb 10% | Organic tomatoes 8% | Organic chickpeas 5% | Organic onions 5% | Organic parsnips 5% | Organic raisins 2% | Organic herbs and spices <1% (parsley, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, turmeric, cloves) | Organic garlic <1% | Other stuff 0

whats she like with smooth but firmer food like mashed potato? Could be a good transition, or ready break - can slowly be made thicker/firmer