11 Month Old -- Very Opinionated About Eating.

If he likes mashed potatoes.... try adding squash to it. You can skin it first so there is no other colors and chances are, he won't have a clue it's in there! My kids love it (husband too!). Also, try giving him veggies first. Only offer him his veggies first. If he thinks thats all he has to choose from, maybe he will try some and then of course offer him the rest of his meal : ) Hope this helps!!

Kids are really funny at this age...sometimes it's all in the way you present the food to them. For instance, if he used to love banana slices, but now refuses them, try handing him a whole 1/2 of banana that he can hold himself....it'll be all new to him!

Trying to get him to eat more veggies will probably just take trial & error....try putting them in a little bit of spagetti sauce (or alfredro, or other cheese sauce) & letting him eat them with a spoon. If he does well with the spoon, then try mashed sweet potatoes or carrots..etc, etc.

Good Luck! I have a 7 yr old who still refuses to eat most veggies & a 3 yr old who will eat all of my salad if given the chance!! They're all different, and as soon as you think you've got them figured out, they will change! ;-)

The fact that he wants to feed himself is great. Even though it makes a mess, let him explore his food. He may try eating different things if he gets to choose.

I have a daughter with autism that is beyond a picky eater (she has eaten the same 5 foods for the last 3 years - crazy, I know!) Her diet is why our peditrician recommended Juice Plus (fruits and veggies in gummie form). When my youngest was that young, I would give him the gummies. He loved them and I loved that he was getting his fruits and veggies. Here is some info if you are interested. www.juiceplus.com/+jh72997
Good luck! J.