Introducing Food with Texture to 14-Month Old

I'm trying to remember when my daughter finally started eating things that were not pureed~ I thought she'd never eat anything she had to chew! Really...I was not worried at all because I knew she'd be eating 'real' food by the time her wedding came along. Plus, I pureed all kinds of things for her (no jarred food), so I knew exactly what she was getting. I did talk with her Dr. who was not worried and didn't even want to do vitamin drops. He said to simply just keep offering on her tray and don't push or make an issue of it. And sure enough, when she was ready she made a quick switch. She's simply a texture eater (like me).

My son was the exact opposite...he refused all cereal and anything pureed and around 8.5 months I finally (out of complete frustration because that meant he was living on my breast milk exclusively!) just decided to skip any of the cereals and pureed foods and he chowed down on any finger food I put in front of him. I think he wanted the 'big kid' food sister was eating! Plus I know he was sensing my frustration when he'd spit out or refuse the food I'd lovingly made for him 5 times a day. Before I gave up on the cereal and pureed foods, an advice nurse told me not to feel it because he'd sense it...but she never offered to come to my house to prepare meals and feed him : - ) I was so desperate I had actually called the after-hours advice nurse!!! And yep, I hung up the phone and when straight into the kitchen to seek out finger foods even though she said, "We really want to make sure he learns how to properly swallow food first".

My point...always a good ideas to mention it to Dr. but otherwise know he'll do it in his own time! Good luck...he'll be eating pizza before you know it!

Talk to your pediatrician, he may have an oral aversion and need some OT to work through this. Most toddlers his age are eating the same foods, cut in small pieces that the family is eating.

just wanted to let you know how pleased i am to see your post because i also have a 14 month who does not care for most of the food i offer him. it is so disheartening! my son has 8 teeth, and some things he chews easily and others he just gags on. he really loves overcooked oatmeal, steamed apple chunks -- peeled of course! and yogurt which i get away with putting chunky cereal in. my first son was the exact opposite and i am not super patient. but i know it will pass. just wanted to tell you my kid is similar and i dont think there is anything wrong -- just challenging.

Talk with your dr about any medical problems that could be causing gagging. SOme kids refuse chunky food but they indeed can eat it and it doesn't gag them. Kids by this age are usually eating almost all finger foods cut into little pieces. They can eat many of the foods adults do if cut in small peices. My daughter is 14 mo. old and started refusing baby food at about 9-10 mo old. She only has two teeth (she's getting teeth very late)but can still eat quite a variety of cut up food. I urge you to talk to your dr. Good luck.

Hi!
Here are some things my sister in law does....small (very small bits) of cantaloupe, small pieces of bread, very soft pasta cut into bits, mac and cheese, black beans, rice, barley, etc.
I think they key is to start them slowly- mix a few bits of grains like rice or barley into their pureed food so they will eat it/it will be easier to eat. You can cut up tiny bits of meat this way, too. Then add more and more solid food and less and less pureed over the course of a month or two. But definitely start with very soft foods, etc. Gerber makes a stage 2 and 3 food, which just get chunkier and chunkier until the baby learns to chew. I suggest buying a jar or two of each, just to see the whole texture thing and test it out before experimenting with your own. My sisters son gagged the first few times, too. We realized that it wasn't so much solid food as it was the choice of the solid food. This little guy will not eat creamy pasta sauce. Tomato is fine, but nothing creamy. He does, however, love mac and cheese, taco bits, and milk, along with fruits, veggies, etc.
I hope this helps!
-E.

I would talk to a pediatrician if it continues; it could be his muscles are just not developed in that area or he has a sensory integration thing with a specific texture. There are ways to help and then again, a coworker of mine cannot drink milk products because of the texture...not just dairy, I am talking rice, soy, almond, etc. It is just a preference.

Good luck and I am sure it will all work out well.

Try decreasing the time that you blend the food each time you do it. That is how Gerber and Beachnut do thier babyfoods. The first ones are strained, the next ones are pureed and then they move to the ones that have a little bit of chunks but mostly pureed. Also, start with his favorites. He is more likely to tolerate it if he REALLY wants to eat it. Go really slowly. It might take months but he will get the hang of it.

Hi, I have twin 2 1/2 year old boys. They are completely opposite of each other. I found that just because one boy was ready to eat something didn't mean the other was. I try not to compare them to each other or to others of the same age. If your boy is throwing up there's your answer. Ofter children know their bodies way more than adults.