My 12 Mo. Still Not Eating Table Foods.

Updated on March 23, 2011
R.L. asks from Galveston, TX
6 answers

My son turned 12 months today and he has not been able to eat table foods (he eats from a jar as long as its liquid form and not chunky). I am not in search of how to make him eat. I have exhausted every method and he has a terrible gag reflex when food hits his tongue. His pedi has informed me that we may have to put him in Speech Therapy so that he can learn how to properly use his tongue. I would love to hear from other Mom's whose child was late in eating. Did you use speech therapy or did your child come around by 18 months or did your pedi have you use practice skills on your child to develop his or her tongue? I would love to know that we are not alone in this as I have never actually met a Mother whose child had the same issue. Thank you.

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G.G.

answers from Austin on

You are not alone and don't stress much over this. You may have to do some things out of the ordinary but she'll get this down! My friend's child went through the same thing. Her daughter is my daughter's age. Her little one was still eating stage 1 and 2 baby foods at 15 months. This is when she was referred to an Occupational Therapist (this is where the speech therapy suggestion is coming from). I think they work together. Anyway, her daughter is 3 now and is perfectly fine. She didn't have to do the Occupational Therapy that long either. It's a texture and sensory issue, and rest assured, it can be overcome without too much trouble and effort.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

My 11 month old doesn't either. He doesn't seem to like anything. I mostly breastfeed him and prefers that. My other children didn't have this same issue so this is new to me. Also, my sister's son wouldn't eat table food until later but now he eats fine. It just took longer. HTH

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D.B.

answers from Houston on

Have you tried just offering soft table foods like small pieces of banana, etc? Most kids don't like the chunky baby foods (mine never went for it!) they always gagged on it, but did fine with table foods. Just keep offering and teaching. I don't know what a speech therapist would do with a 12 month old!!! Odd answer from you ped

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L.G.

answers from Austin on

It may be a sensory issue, which the speech therapist should be able to diagnose and then help him to desensitize his tongue. Don't make an issue out of it. Your son doesn't want to think that you are annoyed by him.

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V.L.

answers from Seattle on

Every child develops at their own rate. Give it time before you start to worry too much. If your child is growing normally he will eat when he is ready to eat.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

Do you give him finger foods so that he can feed himself. That might help.
Give it some time. He will get it.

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