|
Our discussion forum is open for business. Come say hello. |
Monday, March 20, 2006
How Can I Get My 9 Month Old To Eat Solids?
Debbie, 19, from SE Texas asks:
My son is 9 months old, with approx. 5 teeth in his mouth, and though he is quite content with a bottle filled with cereal and baby fruit, he also expresses an interest in eating what us grownups eat and often begs for solid food. I have tried the stage (3) Gerber foods for kids more his age but he absolutely hates them & refuses to eat. Toddler foods and regular foods cut up tiny for him, he seems to choke on and looses interest quickly in eating them, after just one or two bites. Am I pushing him too fast? or is there a way I can get him to experiment with "older" foods in a way that is more appealing for him & at the same time, ensure that he is being properly nourished? What am I doing wrong?
Stacy Says:
It's not that you're doing anything wrong, your son just might not be ready for solids. At this age, formula and/or breast milk still needs to make up the majority of his calories and nutrition, so when all else fails, the bottle/breast will do just fine. If he likes to eat cereal and baby fruit, stick with that. Try to mix it up a bit, but remember at this age, babies get in *moods* where one day they love bananas, the next they don't. And us parents are at their mercy. If he loses interest, don't give up. Just try again in a few days or a few weeks.
Even if he has the teeth, he still might not be ready to use them. I'm assuming when you say Stage 3, it's the kind that is more like solid food? Like small bites. Try the Gerber veggie or fruit puffs. My daughter LOVES them and she doesn't even have any teeth yet. They dissolve in her mouth so she gets used to mashing with her gums/jaw, but doesn't choke on them. Also, biter biscuits are good for him to get used to using his teeth. (Just be warned, very messy so you want to keep an eye on him). But, if he is content with cereal and baby fruit, keep giving it to him. Alternated with formula/breast milk--this will be plenty of nutrients.
If he seems interested in the food you're eating, try and give him some. I might give my daughter some mashed potatoes, an itty bitty piece of a roll she can gum or maybe a little bit of pudding. Just to give her some different textures. Just be patient with your son, he'll come around. We tend to read all the magazine articles and listen to everyone's advice saying at so-and-so months they should do this-and-that. Go at your son's pace! Don't expect him to automatically know what to do with his chompers. He'll get the hang of it.
My son is 9 months old, with approx. 5 teeth in his mouth, and though he is quite content with a bottle filled with cereal and baby fruit, he also expresses an interest in eating what us grownups eat and often begs for solid food. I have tried the stage (3) Gerber foods for kids more his age but he absolutely hates them & refuses to eat. Toddler foods and regular foods cut up tiny for him, he seems to choke on and looses interest quickly in eating them, after just one or two bites. Am I pushing him too fast? or is there a way I can get him to experiment with "older" foods in a way that is more appealing for him & at the same time, ensure that he is being properly nourished? What am I doing wrong?
Stacy Says:
It's not that you're doing anything wrong, your son just might not be ready for solids. At this age, formula and/or breast milk still needs to make up the majority of his calories and nutrition, so when all else fails, the bottle/breast will do just fine. If he likes to eat cereal and baby fruit, stick with that. Try to mix it up a bit, but remember at this age, babies get in *moods* where one day they love bananas, the next they don't. And us parents are at their mercy. If he loses interest, don't give up. Just try again in a few days or a few weeks.
Even if he has the teeth, he still might not be ready to use them. I'm assuming when you say Stage 3, it's the kind that is more like solid food? Like small bites. Try the Gerber veggie or fruit puffs. My daughter LOVES them and she doesn't even have any teeth yet. They dissolve in her mouth so she gets used to mashing with her gums/jaw, but doesn't choke on them. Also, biter biscuits are good for him to get used to using his teeth. (Just be warned, very messy so you want to keep an eye on him). But, if he is content with cereal and baby fruit, keep giving it to him. Alternated with formula/breast milk--this will be plenty of nutrients.
If he seems interested in the food you're eating, try and give him some. I might give my daughter some mashed potatoes, an itty bitty piece of a roll she can gum or maybe a little bit of pudding. Just to give her some different textures. Just be patient with your son, he'll come around. We tend to read all the magazine articles and listen to everyone's advice saying at so-and-so months they should do this-and-that. Go at your son's pace! Don't expect him to automatically know what to do with his chompers. He'll get the hang of it.
