15 Month Old Won't Eat Anything but Baby Food

My sister in law used to gag on chunks when she was little. She still will not eat certain chunky foods in her 30's! I think some people really do not like the texture.

None of my kids ever liked the #3 chunky baby food. IMO, by 15 months she should be eating regular table foods cut up into appropriate sized pieces. Start maybe with soft foods like bananas, strawberries or cooked carrots. Even if they aren't really used to 'chewing' they can much those up in their mouths fairly easily. Just start with very small pieces, then you can work your way up to different textures like Cheerios, etc. Good Luck!

I really would consult your pediatrician and find out if an occupational therapist could help you. I disagree with other posters here that your daughter's gagging could be willful or attention-seeking. My son had a terrible gag reflex from his start with such "solids" as a mashed banana, and it took a very long time to teach him how to use his tongue, swallow properly, etc., when eating. The OT who came to us through Early Intervention was invaluable in this process.

Hi L.,

The baby knows what she likes. Give it to her.

Good luck. D.

no child will go to school eating baby food. For some takes a little longer. My kids ate some baby food even when 3, the only way they ate spinach. The doc was like heck they eat it then give it to them.

Relax and keep different foods, did you switch to 3rd? can mix it together and gradually change over

definitely get a consult with an OT. One thing to remember is that the eating of solid foods helps to develop the muscles of the mouth so that speech can properly develop. Children who don't eat solids are often speech delayed. Talk to your pediatrician for a referral and remember that your mommy instincts should always be followed

I would call the pediatrician, or mention it at your 15 month visit. She should be on table food by now, and she may need to see an occupational therapist to help her learn how to manage solid food.

My son is 18 months old and I have the same problem. I plan on discussing it with his doctor at his 18 month appointment in 2 weeks. He will occasionally eat cheese and meat and sometimes mac and cheese. I constantly wonder if he is getting what he needs nutritionally. Oh, he'll eat yogurt too, but that still isn't solid. I just keep trying, they say to just be consistent (just like with disciplining). Anyway, I think you should discuss it with her doctor at her next appointment. Hang in there! Good luck!

i would talk to the pediatrician. see what he or she says about it.

Hi L., Have you tried really thickening up her baby food with ceral? Offer her squishy finger food like canned greenbeans, carrots and peas. Just keep offering them, don't force her. You can also offer her custard style yogurt, small curd cottage cheese, mashed potatoes (even with gravy). Have you tried ceral like kix, trix, cherrios? If you are eating something does she show intrest in what you are eating? Gagging is a reflex, and she should outgrow it soon...give her time and keep offering her things. I know choking is very scary, but if you are carefull she will be fine! As Mom's we all tend to worry almost tooo much! Remember our children pick up on our fears! Best wishes.

You may want to have her evaluated by an occupational therapist. My daughter is seeing one for similar things. She is not fond of some textures and tastes. The OT therapist has had some great suggestions and exercises that have moved her right along. It's really amazing. I almost didn't get my daughter evaluated because I figured she was just picky, but it has been really eye opening.

Hi! My son turned 2 in september and STILL eats stage 2 baby food!! He did the exact same thing with the stage 3 foods, the puffs, everything made him gag. He still has to eat baby food because he won't eat much else!! Toast, pizza, french fries, some fruits, crackers, cookies, stuff like that. No meat, veggies, potatoes, eggs, hot dogs...not even pancakes.... Doc told me they will try new things whenever they are ready!!! Hope this helps!!! Good luck!!!!

Contact your local early intervention service and see if they can have any kind of aversion to textured foods. This is not uncommon and it will save you in the long run if this is the case.

My son is the same way. I'm afraid there is something wrong with him and his swallowing mechanisms.. We can only feed him stage 2 and baby cereal as well as his enfagrow. Anything solid like bitter buiskets, banana cookies, little puffs, mashed up potatoes or sweet potatoes... he gags and pukes up his entire meal or whatever is in his stomach. We have tried some stage 3's, but they can't have any type of chuncks in them or be mixed meals with meat- only smooth foods.... He likes all types and flavors of fruits and vegetables, baby yougert, oatmeal and wheat cereal, just the baby food kind- he won't even eat instant oatmeal without gagging... I don't know what to do.....

Oh my gosh my son is 19 months old and STILL will not eat anything but baby food, yogurt, applesauce and peanut butter (only sometimes). I have been trying since he was about 10 months old. I don't know any other kids that do this, you are the first one I have found!! I thought my son was the only one in this whole world that only eats baby food at his age. He wont even eat the stage 3 chunky food either. I have tried and tried and tried. I don't know what to do either. His dr doesn't seem worried about it, he says some babys have a stronger gag reflux that others and he will just come around when he is ready, but I feel like he has an issue or something going on since he hasn't made any progress at all in wanting any table food at all! I talked to Early Intervention and the lady said they will evaluate him to see if is sensory issue. I wonder if my son is just playing me or if he really does have a medical issue. I don't want to force him to eat chunky food if he has a sensory issue, I need help too :(

Stop giving her baby food. Offer her everthing that you would eat. Seriously she is doing the gag thing prob to get your attention, and its working. :)
I imagine she has teeth, so just offer her little by little new foods. She will be hungry, she will eat whatever you offer. Give her yougurt with a spoon. Let her feed herself, yes she will make a mess, but she needs to learn. Slice a banana into slivers, and give them to her. she will eat it!!!!!!
Of course watch her with everything she eats, but this will indeed pass.

My question is: Does she gag while happily trying a new food, or is she fussing when the food goes into her mouth? There's a difference. If it seems as though she wants to eat the food, takes it into her mouth without a fuss and gags, then she may have a physical problem. If she's fussing and fighting the new food from the very beginning of mealtime, then gagging is just her way of rejecting something new. If that's the case, then the behavior is working for her, and she'll continue to do so in order to get back to her familiar food.

If she's fussing about this change, then I agree with the previous poster. Stop the baby food. She will fuss at first, but she will eventually have to give in. Give her softer foods and let her feed herself. She'll make a mess, because she will be frustrated and will throw things, so just give her a few bits at a time. Reward her with praise when she tries. Also, remember, that if she is making any noise at all, she is not choking. When someone chokes, no sound can be made at all.

L.,
Take a deep breath. Totally hear ya on this one. My 9 month old gags on everything except #1 and 2 bananas, apples,and pears (or mixtures thereof). I would suggest having your little one evaluated by an occupational therapist. I found out that my son needs some "exercises" for his tongue and this will hopefully allow him to eat bigger and better foods. If that ends up not being a problem and it's just picky eating, at least you'll know you can push past the gagging, but if there are structural or developmental problems, you can begin caring for them as well. At most, it's an unnecessary visit to a therapist.

Good luck,
M.