Seeking Advice from Other Moms

Cool, A. my son name is preston too he is 19 months old.My son liked some baby food in jar but liked table food better.

My son is 16 months old, and we took him off baby food when he was 9 months, and started him on table food and whole milk. He was eating so much baby food it was ridiculous. My dr actually recommended we put him on table food.

I would politely tell them I had shared their concerns with his pediatrician and the pediatrician feels he is perfectly healthy and not in any danger.

A.,
That place would hate me then because my son is almost 15 months old and only weighs 19lbs 4oz. He loses and gains but only due to he is picky and very on the go and sometimes he just doesn't want to eat. The doctors are telling me that he needs a dietition. Be thankful that he weighs that much at 9 months. I would not worry about it. If he is eating and getting what he needs then do what your pediatrician says. As far as the vitamins and iron, the doctors will be the ones to judge that not your child care facility. Also I am willing to babysit for you if you no longer to put your son in a place like that. I live on the southern edge of carmel about 5 minutes from Castleton.

If you have a blender, you can make your own "baby food" by just pureeing fruits and veggies or even meats for him. That way it might taste better. If you're worried about him not getting his vitamins, maybe see if there's an infant vitamin or something you could give him.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Tell your daycare that the doctor hasn't pointed out any problems with the way your son is eating, and they should mind their own business. ;)

Both of my children stopped eating jarred baby food around 9 months of age and they are doing well.It is probably easier for the daycare to feed children out of a jar!! That doesn't mean that what your providing to your son is not nutritious. If he is eating a variety of foods than I'm a firm believer (and so is my pediatrician) that kids will eat what their bodies need. I would just continue to offer a variety of foods and he should be just fine. Thank them kindly and go about your business of raising your child how you see fit. PS. There are ALOT of ways to obtain iron these days, liver isn't the only option!!!!

I'm telling you from my experinence, he will be fine. My oldest daughter was just about the same way. And if he is eating some table food, everything will also be ok! Have you tried to give him some fruit and veggies in a jar? And try to put alittle salt, pepper, and butter in the jar food, like the veggies and meat ones, and warm them up just alittle to wear they are warm. See if he would eat them that way. I had to do it with both of my girls. Just add enough to add flavor to them, taste it for yourself first. And my best advice is to JUST listen to your baby's Doctor! And if his doctor has or have any concerns, he would let you know! Talk to the doctor and see what the doctor thinks, Don't always listen to what everyone else says or thinks, go with the doctors advice. And feel free trying what I have adviced you to do, if you would like to! And if your doctor thinks things are good, then you and him are good!

Hun! What I would try is Adult Food!! My little girl stated to eat Adult food when she was 8 months because she did not want nothing to do w/baby food so of course i didn't want her to go hungry so i used adult food, like make eggs and etc.
Good Luck
K.

A.,

My son was the same way as a baby. He was bigger in weight and even weighed 29 lbs at age 12 mo. Don't let the daycare providers tell you anything....they are not doctors. If your son does not want to eat (the nasty) babyfood, oh well. He knows what he likes and can digest easily. I also have a background in Early Childhood Education and two children of my own. My advice is to keep doing what you're doing b/c if the doctor is not worried or pushing you to keep giving him babyfood, then don't! There is an over the counter vitamin that you can give him---if your doctor recommends it. (Poly-vi-sol and it takes nasty---my daughter who was teeny at birth due to medical/health problems had to take it)

Please don't stress out about this. It's not really that big of a deal in my opinion. You have to use your instincts as a mother! Take care, A. C

1st...you need to ask your ped. what they think. but i'm sure they will say it's fine. when i 1st started giving my daughter solids she didn't like baby food from a jar either. She liked the tste, but not the texture. She liked the texture of rice cereal, but not the bland taste...so i tried mixing them together and she loved it!!!! maybe that will work for you too. but if your child won't eat it...don't force him...that'll just upset him. as long as his main sourse of nourishment is still breastmilk or formula, i'm sure he'sll be fine. he really gets all the nutrients he needs from that. some babies never even taste solid food till after their 1st birthday and then they start directly into table foods anyway.

Hello A.,

I don't see anything wrong about your baby eating cereal, table food and formula or breastmilk..It is at this time when they usually don't want more baby food from the jar. Also, I have known from friends of mine whose babies never liked food from the jar.
Even, I am thinking myself to feed my 7 mo-old baby with table foods already. He doesn't like from the jar but the squash, and usually table foods taste better for them.

A., I do not think that your little one is malnourished or deprived of vitamins. It does not make sense to me. Your baby is already getting everything he needs from all what you are giving him right now.
In my opinion, and if they keep telling you that he is malnourished or so, may be you should find another day care or just ask to your Pediatrician to write a note clarifying that your baby is perfectly nourished. Also, I think your baby's weight is absolutely normal.

Take care and good luck!!
Alejandra

Hey A.! I won't worry about it as long has he is eating his vegetables and diary products so he can get what he needs. My little girl is 2 now but when she was that age she didn't eat baby food at all she wanted what we were eating so I just made sure she was eating her vegetables and I breastfeed her too. As long as your doctor is saying he is healthy and fine do worry about what other people say. My daughter is very healthy is 37 pounds and she is 37 inches tall. So do what you feel is best for your child. A.

my son is also 9 months and won't eat baby food and doesn't want his formula anymore. When we were at the dr last week I asked because I was afraid he was not getting what he needed. She said its fine. She said I could feed him any table food, anything that we can smash between our fingers they can eat. As long as he is getting his formula, she said about 20ozs a day, he is getting all the things he needs. She said just blend up what ever we eat and let him have it. As long as he gets fruits, veggies and meat from what we are eating then its all good. She did say if I wanted to continue to feed him baby food try putting it in your bowl or on your plate and see if he will take it that way, then he thinks its regular food. Don't let the daycare bother you, you and your doctor know what is best for him.

Don't listen to anyone who says you need to make them eat this or that. I heard so many people tell me I need to put some cereal in their milk when they were about a 2 months old. The doctor said, that the formula/breast milk is the most important thing the first year of life. I don't think he told me to start jar food till about 9 months. Then he said to start with a fruit to get him to like it, then move from there. Mine loved, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes the best. But at the library they have books that give you recipies to make your own baby food. I made one for carrots and they loved it! But my kids didn't care much for cereal and I mixed a little fruit in it and they chowed down!

Hi A.! I'm a dietetics (nutrition) student at UNL so I have learned a little about child nutrition. Many infants and young children are at risk of developing anemia (symptoms being fatigue and low immune responses/getting sick frequently). First of all, anemia is usually caused by an iron deficency. Iron is found in red meat (like liver) but is also found in iron fortified cereals (which is most cereals). All baby cereals (such as the rice cereal for infants) is a GREAT source of iron as well as baby formula. When my son was 9 months old, I was introducing table foods while also feeding him infant cereal mixed with baby formula. (And sometimes mixed with applesauce just to give it some flavor) Other great sources of iron include beans and peanut butter (although, b/c of allergy complications, you will probably want to wait to give him pb unless he has already had it.)You definately do not need to force feed him baby food, but do keep in mind that many children's tastes change week to week and many times children must develop a taste for certain foods by introducing a food 5 to 6 times before they adjust to the taste. All in all, if your doctor has shown no concern for your child being iron deficient or malnourished, I would not be concerned ... plus, your son sounds very healthy! I have never heard of a child being force fed liver but my studies have mentioned treating anemia by medicinal iron under a physician's guidance. Good luck!

A. I never did feed my son baby food I made all of his food fresh I just made sure that he got all of the vitams that he needed in the food he was eating, example carrots are good for the eyes, broccoli is good for the iron ect. baby food is over rated as long as you can give them the vitamins in what they are eating... This goes the same with brestfeed and formula there are a lot of babies that don't get the vitamins that they need from being breast feed but the formula does have all the vitamins they need so if you are using formula your baby is getting lots of what he needs from that. Or son is going on 13 months and has only had 1 cold in all of that time and is not anemic if fact our doctor tells us he one of the healthest babies she has ever seen... So only take what a lot of people say with a grain of salt and be happy that your baby is eating!!! Your the mom fallow your instincts... Good Luck!!!

Have you talked to you pediatrition about it? I wouldn't worry to much about it untill your pediatrition says something. My kids were completely off baby food by 10 months old.

If you think he needs it I think they sell infants vitamins. I know with my first I was worried about everything. Trust your gut it will alway tell you if something just isn't right.

M.

Talk to your doctor. But if you are giving him table food with no added salts or sugars, there really is no difference. Does your child care provider have a medical degree? If not, then who are they to tell you he is being deprived? GOod luck!

YOu need to talk to your child's pediatrician. Tell the doctor of your concerns and your fears. The doctor will know more about this and ways to handle it. So it will calm your fears. I hope that you can get something worked out with your child.

A.
I think that if your son is eating table foods that is ok some kids never eat baby food!! Try and give him some green beans and banana cut up. If he is eating that then give him the real food just make sure that they are in bite sized pieces. As far as what everyone is saying tell them to mind their own business you know what is best for your child and if your dr is bot concerned then there isn't an issue
A.

Please do not let your daycare tell you what your child is going to eat. My sitter did that with my son, but I just went along with it because I knew it was a temporary situation. If table food is what he eats best, then stick with it. As long as he's getting protien, friuts and veggies, what does it matter?

Considering that he is eating cereal and table food, I would have to disagree with all those who responded saying you need to feed him jarred food or making your own baby food etc. Your son is used to eating a certain way and you should not change it (or regress his eating progress by trying to put him ON jarred food, or pureed food like others are suggesting). My children both started eating table food around 6-7 months. There is nothing wrong with the choice you have made. Your son is healthy and you should consider to feed him as you have been. If you have any concerns about it, then ask the pediatrician. As for the daycare, just ignore them, but if they keep pushing, I would let them know they are out of bounds and to quit with the comments. If they persist, I would do what I could to find a new daycare who actually knows what they are talking about, and one that won't mind the fact that your child is growing and eats regular food, not baby food.

I'm sure you have gotten many responses already, but I thought I'd kick mine in. From what I understand, the only thing jarred food has that table food doesn't is perservatives. Talk to your peds doc and have him/her right a note if need be saying that you are feeding your child just fine. If they keep on you about it, I would suggest finding a day care more supportive of your efforts.
For good advice and recipes to make your own baby food, check out the message boards on www.Babyfit.com and www.ivillage.com
Good Luck!

My first hunch is to say that it sounds like he is healthy. Just ask your pediatrician! He/She will be able to advice you on your baby's health! If the Dr says the baby is fine then don't worry about it! Do tell your daycare providers that you have talked to your doctor about the matter. I think they do it because they are concerned (and not to imply that you do not pay attention to your son's nutrition).

Good Luck!

I agree with all the other moms. Just make sure what he is eating is healthy--lots of veggies, fruits and whole grains. No sugary cereals or highly processed foods. (this should be the rule for everyone :-)) Anyway, my almost 5 month old is totally breastfed and weighs 20 1/2 lbs. Both of his brothers were this way. They are still big for their age, but not fat.
I watch what they eat and they get plenty of exercise, and the doctor says they look great! My oldest son never ate food out of the jar. My middle one ate food out of the jar and table food, basically anything he could get his little hands on! Just make sure what he is eating is healthy, and you'll be fine!

I would not worry too much about what the day care is saying. My daughter stopped eating baby food around that time too. Try to make sure he gets some formula whenever possible...as much as the doc says he should and I believe he will be fine. My daughter was breast fed and ate table food at that age and she did just fine. I think a lot of babies stop eating the jar food at that point. You are the mom and your gut will lead you in the right way. If you are concerned ask the pediatrician.

Hope that helps...you are not alone and you are doing just fine! We are here!

WHAT DOES THE PEDIATRICIAN SAY??? JUST BECAUSE THE DAYCARE FEELS THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO JUDGE YOU, DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD TAKE THEIR MEANT TO BE HELPFUL YET TOOOOOOOOOO NOSY ADVICE TO HEART. AS LONG AS YOUR SON IS GETTING EITHER BREAST MILK OR FORMULA THEN HE SHOULD BE FINE. IM SURE YOU KNOW TO ONLY INTRODUCE ONE BABY FOOD AT A TIME.....BUT ODDLY ENOUGH, BABIES CHANGE THEIR MINDS QUICK TOO. SO IF CARROTS DIDNT GO TOO WELL THIS WEEK, WHOSE TO SAY YOUR SON WONT LOVE THEM THE NEXT WEEK OR A MONTH FROM NOW. ALL OF THE BABY CEREAL IS FULL OF IRON AND VITAMINS ...WILL HE EAT CEREAL?? SO UNLESS YOU ARE INTENTIONALLY NOT FEEDING YOUR BABY, WHICH I AM SURE YOU ARE NOT AND UNLESS YOUR BABY HAS A HEALTH PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS HIS ABSORPTION OF MINERALS AND VITAMINS, THERE IS NO WAY YOUR BABY IS MALNOURISHED AND WILL NOT HAVE TO BE FORCED TO EAT LIVER. IM SURE YOUR DOCTOR CHECKS FOR ANEMIA AS WELL. IF I WERE IN YOUR SITUATION, I WOULD WANT TO LOOK FOR A BETTER CHILD CARE...NOT SAYING THE CARE IS INADEQUATE BUT THE LACK OF RESPECT OR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE IS NOT HEALTHY FOR YOU OR YOUR CHILD. SO ENJOY YOUR BABY AND ENJOY BEING PREGNANT...YOU ARE A MOM....A MOM WHO CARES TO GIVE ONLY THE BEST TO HER CHILDREN. SO REMEMBER THAT THE NEXT TIME THE ROUND ABOUT WAY REMARKS ARE MADE AND JUST LET THEM GO IN ONE EAR AND AS YOU SMILE LET THEM GO OUT THE OTHER EAR. GOOD LUCK

HI A.. I HAVE FOUR CHILDERN AND FROM EXPERIENCE DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM! I HAVE DONE THE BABY FOOD JARS, BUT MY THIRD CHILD MY SON, ONLY LIKED TABLE FOOD. THEY GET THE SAME VITAMINS AND NUTRIENTS IN TABLE FOOD AS THEY DO IN JARS. THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT IS IN THE JARS, PUREED TABLE FOOD WITHOUT THE SALT, AND FATS. MANY PEOPLE MAKE THIER OWN BABY FOOD. FROM WHAT FRESH AND CANNED VEGGIES. AT NINE MONTHS HE IS ALSO STILL ON FORMULA OR BREASTMILK AND THAT GIVES HIM THE EXTRAS. DOCTORS WILL ADVISE YOU NOT TO GIVE ETRA VITAMINS UNTIL AFTER ONE EVEN IF THEN BECAUSE OF THE FORMULA. DO WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS SAY. THAT IS JUST ADDED STRESS. YOU KNOW YOUR BABY AND DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS RIGHT. MY SON IS NOW 6 1/2 AND HEALTHY AS AN OX, NEVER ANEMIC AND NOT A JAR 1 OF BABY FOOD. SO DO WHAT HE LIKES. AS LONG AS HE CONTINUES TO GROW AND DEVELOPE, PUT THE WORRIES ASIDE. THE DOCTOR WILL CONFIRM THAT TABLES ARE FINE. JUST WATCH THE EGGS, MEATS AND SUCH. SOME BABIES DON'T TOLERATE THEM WELL.

First of all, that's not your daycare's business. They have expressed their concern, they should leave it at that. As long as your pediatrician has said everything is ok, then rest assured... If you want, take him to another doctor for a second opinion (maybe that will help ease your mind). If you also want different ways to give him different foods, read "Super Baby Foods" by Ruth Yaron.

If your son is eating well that is all that matters. It is fine if he eats people food, just make sure he is getting healthy foods. Mash up sweet potatoes, squash, bananas, etc. A lot of people don't use the jared baby food they make their own. My daughter did eat baby food but took herself off at 10 months and ate regular food, just becuase she wanted to feed herself. Also, they do make the finger foods by gerber and such that are more like people food, but are not as high in salt and such and I know my daughter loved them. My son is 11 months and is still eating baby food and regular food, but is allergic to anything with milk or whey and so he can't eat a lot of the toddler foods, so I make my own. Yes, daycare staff know how to take care of babies, but they are not always right on everything. You are the parent and you know what is best for your son. If you are worried about iron, have the dr. check it and if it is low, the Dr. can then give you suggestions on what you can feed him to inprove the number. If he is on formula he should be getting plenty of iron from that and if you are breastfeeding make sure you eat meats and such that have lots of iron. Hope this info helps and keep me updated. Sincerely, K.

I agree who are they to tell you how to care for your child! You child seems to be a healthy weight, and if the doctor has any concerns I would be concerned but if not. I would say I have talked with my doctor about it. THey aren't concerned so I am not. Leave it at that. I get so sick of people butting in cause they think they know what is best. Well not ever child is the same!!

Go to Wal-mart, go to the vitamin aisle, look at the infant vitamins and you will find a liquid vitamin for infants his age. He will eat what he wants. My grandkids haven't ate baby food since they were 7 months old and are now 20 months old, but they get their vitamins daily and the dr. says they are healthy as could be. Kids know what they like, don't let someone tell you that kind of stuff just because they don't want to mess with real food and it's more convenient for them to get the food out of a jar.

A.,
From the sounds of it your son is healthy. I think the daycare staff is just crazy. If he is eating cereal and table food I don't see why he wouldn't be getting the vitamins he needs. Has your ped said anything about him being malnourished or anemic? If not you have nothing to worry about. I personally would tell the daycare to back off and you can always find a new daycare if they don't want to do their job. I never forced my daughters to eat baby food, I encourged them to eat table food because it was easier on me and they loved it.

I wouldn't push the jar food if he's not interested. Just try a bit every day and he will come around. :) It's a-ok for him just to be on formula/breastmilk at this time and he's getting all that he needs from that at the moment. (my kids were never fond of the jarred food either, ate mostly table food and are perfectly fine).

If he is eating table food, then he is getting the nutrition he needs. I started all my kids on table food when they went thru the baby jars, which was about 7-9 months. I would mush it up so it was ok for them to eat. I found it cheaper then baby food and as long as I was careful about salts and fats, it was just as healthy as the jars.

tell the daycare workers to go jump off a bridge. he's your son. he'll be fine.

I'll tell you what my daughter's doc told me. Babies don't need jar food as long as they are nursing/formula bottle feeding and eating table food. Baby food is for the most part a waste of money. It may be easier when your on the road, but that's about it. Babies don't need to eat jar food. As long as he's eating foods high in iron (iron-fortified breakfast cereals, spinach, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, turnip greens, molasses, whole wheat breads, peas, some dried fruits [dried apricots, prunes, raisins], and most meats-esp red), you don't need to worry about him becoming anemic. Baby food was created as a way for someone to make money. not a way for kids to stay healthy. Makaya had maybe 5 jars of baby food total and she's just fine. prefectly healthy, happy and has been sick 2 time in 27 months of life. Your day care wants to make things easire on themselves. Don't let them bully you into doing something that you know in your heart your son doesn't want or need. Your his Mother, and you know him better than any one else. A 22 lb 9 m/o is not an anemic or starving baby my any means, and you have done a great dob of raising him. Don't let their laziness change how you choose to raise your son.

Send me an e-mail if you need more info, or if you have more questions. ____@____.com

S.

will he eat veggies and fruits from the table? if so there isnt any concern, since that is all the jar food is anyway. id say if hes growing well, and happy, keep doing what you are doing.

I wouldnt realy worry about it untill the doctor said something about it. I feel the same way as you do, but my daughter is underweight so it is always you need to feed that baby, but she eats all day long. She will be 2 in february and weights 18 pounds she was also born 4 weeks early also. All that matters is you know he is a healthy baby. When he starts walking he will slim down just give him time

If your son is eating table foods then he is getting the vitamins he needs. If you are really worried about it though it is okay to give him a children't multivitamin. He doesn't have to have jar baby food to get the vitamins he needs. I never gave my daughter jar baby food I made her baby food by using fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

My son started eating table food at around 9 months and though he was low on iron, it wasn't because of that. If you're worried about iron (which if you were BFing your iron supply in BM would have run out around 6 mos) give him spinach - I recommend from a can and heated up on the stove or microwave to be safe. Just keep his diet balanced and varied as much as you can at this age and if you're concerned, call your doctor and ask about it. He should be coming up on iron testing soon anyway.

ps. Don't let the daycare provider bully you. You are the mommy and you will do what is best for your child. Some daycares try to impose their beliefs onto moms. Let me tell you a little story...My son found his thumb at about 3-4 months old, and self soothed. It was fine with us, we welcomed it because he no longer needed a pacifier. All of a sudden, he no longer sucked his thumb. The had told me that they didn't allow that because it "spread germs", but they'd make an exception for him because I wanted to allow him to do it. Well, they did something because he didn't stop on his own I know that. I ended up leaving because Brighton was sick every week with something or other. I ended up missing work almost every other week because of it. And come to find out, the main person (the one to whom I was writing the checks to) was leaving for the day and leaving the other provider there with as many as 17 kids!! ALONE! I called her on it and she became furious. Long story, won't get any more into it but basically, do what your gut tells you first, then your ped. Then you can trust who you wish.

Good luck!
M.