30 weeks introducing lumps a disaster.

[Wigglesworth]

I tried to start DS (30 weeks old) on lumps in his food yesterday, what a disaster. Made him a cheesy veggie lentil dish with small lumps in it and he hated it. He wretched, vomited and screamed , is this supposed to happen. I thought it must have been the texture so I tried to give him a stage 2 hipp organic jar to check the consistency was right and he was the same with that. I don't know what to do, I don't want to stop the lumps cos he needs to start having them about now, anyone got any good tips and does it get better?

Give him something that he can eat without any help. Carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, breadsticks etc and see how he copes with them. He'll probaby be fine with them so you may want to consider baby led weaning

You could also try giving him something he's familiar with with some small lumps in. Try stirring some cooked rice into one of his favourite purees. Maybe he just didn't like the flavour of what you were offering.

Just stick with it. It takes them a while to get used to things, new flavours, textures etc.

I've not done BLW, but I have noticed that DD2 (9mts) now likes to feed herself as much as possible, so might be worth trying a bit of that.

I haven't given him finger foods yet, I am terrified of choking him, silly I know. I didn't panic when he started choking I just gave him some water and talked to him calmly. What is baby led weaning BTW?

Babies will regurgitate food, that is NOT choking. Try not to be too anxious about it or he will pick up on it.

I'm no expert on BLW (as I didn't do it) but the concept seems to be to skip purees and begin at 6 months giving baby foods that they can pick up and chew at their own pace.

People talk about food being "just for fun" until they are one. The main source of nutrition being their milk.

Do what you feel is right, but try not to get too worked up about it. He will get used to lumps and will be happy chewing on things he can hold himself.

Google "baby led weaning" and you should find a blog. I found it really helpful and interesting even though DS was puree-weaned, or whatever the right term is! There are loads of BLW experts on MN - have a search of some of the threads.
It's not silly to be scared of him choking. I did a first aid course so I knew what to do if DS did choke. One of the things they said is is that they are coughing, they are not choking as air is going in and out. I gave DS finger foods fairly early and he did gag, which was terrifying, but he's always managed to sort it out for himself. He's gagged on sloppy foods too though, when he eats too fast so I think it's just par for the course when babies are learning to eat solids!

Babies gag reflexs are further forward than an adults so it is easier for them to gag. Gagging is not choking, so don't worry too much about finger foods. Just ensure your lo isn't left alone with food.

It's worth knowing about the difference between gagging and choking for your own sanity.

If you choke it means your airway is blocked, therefore you can't make any sound at all. If he's making a retching sound or coughing and making a sound then he's gagging which is normal at this age (but scary if you're not expecting it!).

He doesn't have to get used to lumps now, just go at his pace. Some babies are more sensitive to new tastes and texures than others, they're all different.

My ds is 15 months and he still struggles with some textures.

I would just carry on giving what he likes then occasionally trying the lumps alongside that.

Personally my ds prefers finger food or purree but nothing in between, he likes thickly mashed textures without lumps like mashed potato etc

My ds is exeptionally sensitive to different tastes and tetures though so you might have more luck than me if you just keep trying him now and again.

I really wouldn't panick though, some babies will only eat purree till they're one then eat 'normal' food without fuss

Thanks to you all for your advice. xx

I have heard from a lot of people that most babies skip the lumpy purees stage - it's like they don't know what to do with it so they panic and refuse it. Try finger foods which help develop the chewing muscles as well. He will be very unlikely to choke as long as you make sure he is sitting upright (ie in a highchair rather than a reclining seat or bouncy chair) you let him put the food in his mouth himself and you never leave him alone to eat.

I know that the thought of finger foods is scary but they enjoy them. DD is 7 months and loves bread sticks, banana, cheese on toast etc. The good thing about bread sticks etc is that they gum them til they go mushy so that choking hazard is minimal. By the time the food goes down it is virtually puree anyway.

I know that the thought of finger foods is scary but they enjoy them. DD is 7 months and loves bread sticks, banana, cheese on toast etc. The good thing about bread sticks etc is that they gum them til they go mushy so that choking hazard is minimal. By the time the food goes down it is virtually puree anyway.

I know that the thought of finger foods is scary but they enjoy them. DD is 7 months and loves bread sticks, banana, cheese on toast etc. The good thing about bread sticks etc is that they gum them til they go mushy so that choking hazard is minimal. By the time the food goes down it is virtually puree anyway.

sorry- not sure what happened there.