Okay all you mommy readers - I'm in need of some mommy advice. The topic? Getting your 10 month old to eat something other than baby food. Thin baby food, that is.
Jack is a big eater. Big. He downs at least two packages of Stage 2 baby food and a healthy serving of rice cereal or oatmeal with every meal. Sometimes three packages. He loves to eat - opens his little mouth big and wide in anticipation of the food heading its way.
So it seemed natural that once he reached the fully sitting and crawling stage he'd want to eat the typical first foods the other kids enjoyed (cheerios, puffs, small bits of soft cooked veggies or soft fruits.)
Nope.
Apparently our sweet baby boy has a horrible gag reflex. Stick a cheerio or puff in his mouth and the second it touches his tongue - he starts gagging and retching - and eventually brings up whatever meal of baby food he's just enjoyed.
The same is true for thicker baby foods (read: Beech-Nut's corn casserole) or non-baby food pureed foods, such as applesauce.
I find it very interesting (albeit frustrating) because he's constantly sticking every toy, book, crayon, scrap of paper he can find from the floor into his mouth - but refuses real food.
I know eventually he'll get the hang of it - but for now, I'm tired of seeing him gag on bits of food and turning them into a game of 'bat the food around the high-chair tray' or 'toss the food on the floor.'
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Oh boy. I'm so sorry, I don't have any good advice. I haven't encountered that problem. Incredibly picky eaters, yes. Gag reflex, no. All I can think of is just slowly thicken the foods that he's willing to eat right now. Slightly thicker oatmeal...and put his baby food in with that to thicken it a little. Perhaps if you transition him slow enough he might adapt?
ReplyDeleteThat is my totally uneducated opinion and what I would try if we had that problem.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
K.