Picky Eater 15 m/o...now Refuses Jarred Baby food...refuses Most Table Food

We had the same issue with my son when he was about 12 months old. The pediatrician told me to drop all baby food. Once you drop the baby food (and table food is all you are serving), your child quickly begins to eat more. He also suggested to just continue to put the veggies, meats, etc. on his plate. Let him experiment, and know that he won't starve in the mean time. (Remember it takes quite a few times of trying something before your taste buds usually say ok.)

P.S. It worked for us...now our son (4) eats anything and everything! :)

At that age we did all finger food. Our boys wanted to be able to feed themselves. We did pasta, cheese, crackers, fruits, veggies, spread peanut butter on crackers. Around 18 months we did yogurt and other thicker foods and gave them a spoon. Our 2 year old can feed himself yogurt, apple sauce & ice cream.

Maybe it's a texture issue. I make full meals for the family and I just puree things he won't eat if possible. The other day, I pureed a taco shell, meat, cheese, sour cream and half an avacado. My 11 month old made a mess, but fed it all to himself. Other things he eats "whole".

If there is a flavor he likes loosely pureed with a flavor that is unknown or he doesn't like, he might try it (my son actually won't eat avacado alone-only pureed in the "taco" or pureed with brown rice and cheese).

At this point, I guess it couldn't hurt to try, right?

Our pediatrican said it takes up to 10 offerings of the same food for baby to adapt to it... Kepp offering the sam efood over and over, and when he is hungry enough, he will eat... Our son went through the sam thing. hes 21 months now, and eats whatever we put in front of him! Good luck :)

Oh my, I thought you were describing my son 10 years ago! He was such a picky eater, never finished a jarred baby food and refused most of table food. He loved all kinds of fruits and eat only baby carrots as vegetable. He is now 11, still picky eater but would eat unusual things for kids such as artichoke, asparagus, sushi (octopus, eel, sea urchin...). He loves seafood actually. You might try to propose "weird" food and see what happens. Another thing is that he is willing to try food from someone else and somewhere else than mine or my kitchen. Don't be discouraged. One day when he goes off to collegue, he will miss mama's food!
Good luck!

It doesn't sound like a texture issue to me because he is eating foods that are lumpy and not just pureed. Babies and toddlers have very strong gums so teeth should not be an issue here. So if I were you, I would keep offering a variety of foods and give him the same ones over and over like Kate D. suggested if he initially refuses it. Eventually, he will probably try it when he is hungry enough (they always do!) Good luck!!

At that age, DS ate what we ate - just in finger food or mashed form. We did not do 'kid friendly' foods and we did not provide other options other than what we were serving at the meal. Happily for all DS ate most anything (yes everyone has something they don't eat, he wouldn't eat mangos or beets, still doesn't). I would just offer your son whatever you are having for your meal.

Research shows that 1. it can take many (apparently 17) tries for a taste for an item to become established so don't stop trying a food because he didn't eat it last week. 2. Giving rewards for trying a food makes that food less attractive next time 3. Eating patterns are established young so despite what people who want you to feel good about having a picky kid think, developing an adventurous palate and eating healthy foods (not kid friendly, processed, loaded with fat food) is very important.

Most toddlers are very interested in what is on mom and dad's plate anyway. Also letting him feed himself (messy as that is) may work best.