Child Won't Eat Anything but Jarred Babyfood

Wow..lucky you!! Hmm..never had this problem because my kids love food..but the only thing that's running through my head..is that she is eventually going to get hungry enough to eat what you put in front of her, as long as you stick to it. I'm sure as long as she's eating something, even if it's just the baby food, she's fine, at least she's eating something..but like you said..the nutricion is probably not 100% there for a child her age. I think you are just going to have to be firm when you give her regular food. Maybe you could make a big thing about it, and tell her big girls don't eat baby food, and if she wants to do big girl things, she needs to start eating big girl food, and ask her to help you get all of the baby food together, and throw it in the garbage together. Good luck!!

maybe try to wean her off by pureeing table food for a lil bit and try reintroducing bigger pieces

If its the nutrition that you're worried about, our pediatrician suggested pureeing our evening meals for our infants. That way they would be eating what we're eating.

Hello Did you try putting the food in the jar. Maybe she is use to the jar. Give that a shot. Make sure and try to make the food the same consistancy as the baby food.. Hope that helps!

Hi M.
My friend is having the same problems with her 18 month old. She tried everything. The only thing she could do was go cold turkey. He is doing better now but he has his days where he will take 1 bite at mealtime and that's it. She has to fight the urge to feed him the jarred food. The only time she has given it to him was when he was sick. Other than that she keeps no jarred food in the house anymore. She had to change her whole attitude about him eating. She says she just has to have the "if he won't eat there is nothing I can do" attitude.
I had the opposite problem with my son. He refused jarred food before he should have and he also stopped nursing at the same time. He only wanted what I was eating. It was a hard couple of months.
I'm sorry I don't have better advice. Good luck.

Here is a idea make her meals and puree them and put it in a baby food jar and see if she will eat them. Let me know if it works

I'd like to give your child the benefit of the doubt and say that her refusal of regular textured foods is not a behavioral issue. I with another poster that it may be an aversion to textures. Have you brought this up with the pediatrician? If not, I would tell your pediatrician your concerns and that you want to be referred to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for a feeding and swallowing evaluation. An SLP has special training in this type of problem. I would not recommend going "cold turkey" because if this is an aversion, that could just make it worse. It may be an issue of control, but often there is something occuring (perhaps medically) that we may not recognize.
Here are some suggestions in the mean time. (Disclaimer: I am an SLP and have training in pediatric feeding disorders, however this area is not my specialty.) What does your child do if you simply put textured food on her high chair tray? Will she pick it up and explore it or avoid it at all costs? If she can tolerate having it in her personal space I would introduce more textured foods right on to her tray. Rather than forcing her to eat it, I would allow her to explore it at her own comfort level(look at, smell, feel, maybe even lick, etc.) Try not to force anything (I know it is hard) and let her go at her own pace and see what happens. But definately get that evaluation!

Hi, I've worked with kids with simular problems. It may be an adversion to the texture or a sensory problem or just a control thing. You may want to try gradually adding textured foods to the baby food. Starting with her favorites or something you know she'll like. (I bet she'll eat a cupcake, LOL) Also, try to let her chew on a vibrating toy or rub the inside of her mouth with a textured toothbrush throughout the day. They sell hard plastic nub toothbrushes for babies. Try to get her used to different feelings in her mouth. If nothing seems to work, you might want to try early intervention for some Speach or Occupational Therapy. Good luck & try not to worry too much, she won't be packing baby food to go off to college, LOL.

She may have an aversion to the texture of other foods. Gradually introduce other foods that are softer (avacados, bananas, chicken noodle soup), and that may help? And if it is a texture aversion, you can try an early intervention evaluation; occupation therapy is something that may help.

One suggestion would be to start with giving her vitamins if you have not already..that will ensure she is getting balance. Have you tried Pedisure drinks, my kids did not like them, but you never know! If she is growing and flourshing, I would not worry! You could also start steaming things and mashing them up like baby food! She will grow out of it, just be happy she is eating. :) It is not always easy to even get them to do that!!! :) Good luck! :))