My 14 month old is not the best eater. First, he does not really chew, he more or less sucks like a piece of candy until it disolves, if it doesn't dissolve, he'll spit it out. So he eats cheese, pasta, sweet potato, carrots, crackers and that's about it. He already is on the small size (5th percentile!). Anyone have any suggestions? My 2 year old is the exact opposite, 95th percentile and an awesome eater so I am at a loss! Or maybe I'm just overreacting?
J., All of the above have made good suggestions. I would surely consult with my pediatrician. They usually tell you what foods to give at certain age. I certainly do not think that you are overacting. For you own peace of mind, you need to know. Of course each child is different. But if there is something that need to be attendend to, you need to know. Have it check out, express your concerns to your pediatrician.
My kids loved avocado at that age. Banana, sweet potato, apple sauce, crackers (there are SO many kinds!) Quaker Instant Oatmeal has lots of flavors, toast with lots of butter or jelly if he's eaten those fruits already, YOGURT! My kids have two or three containers of yogurt a day and it's SO good for their little tummies. OH! and they can dip graham cracker in the yogurt. They love that! I get the yoBaby yogurt... start really mild like the vanilla and banana flavor. Pasta... MaC and Cheese... my kids LOVE that. Um... soups? Muir Glen makes great organic soups and my ds loves them. (18 months) Lasagna... spaghetti... chicken nuggets cut up really small? I mean, REALLY small?
Peas, corn, creamed corn, mashed potatoes?
You can sit with him and say, chew, chew, chew! That always helped to remind my boys to really chew. But seriously, don't worry about percentiles.
Are you still nursing at all? Because that can really help make sure he's getting all he needs, too. If not, don't fret. He will be just fine. It's hard, I know. My first ds was in the 5th or lower percentile for weight. He nursed to 19 months and was really picky for a while. Then sometime in his second year he just GREW! Now I have an 18 month old ds2 who is in the 98th percentile and just huge! Still nursing, but he also eats everything. They are all just so different. Don't worry. Enjoy experimenting! :)
What a great idea to post this here!
My youngest was in the 5th percentile when he was younger and now at 5 he is one of the tallest kids in his class. He had reflux so he puked up a lot of his food.
If he doesn't like to chew, what about mashed bananas and mashed avacado (not together of course). Yogurt is another soft food and oatmeal is too.
Have you talked to your pediatrician for any ideas? I would think since your son is in the 5th percentile you are in there a lot anyway (I had to go for weekly weight checks), so pick their brain for some ideas as well.
M.
Every child is differnt. My son like avacado, Beans, Ham, cherrios, squash, zuccini, softer fruit cut into chunks. I found an awsome book at on of the baby stores about babies first foods. It has many differnt recipies it might help you find different things.
Keep in mind today he might not like it, but tomorrow he might. Re-interduce foods to see if he will try them agian. Even if it is something that you do not like he might. Good luck
My 14 month old tends to swallow things whole too. I just ignore it --though, since I cloth and am pregnant, I have to admit I've had bad morning sickness ;-)
One thing my daughter absolutely loves is soup. I make her potato leek and wild mushroom all the time. She also loves cream of chicken noodle. She is a total mess after eating soup, but she loves it, it gets some really good stuff in her.
Have you tried bulking him up on breakfast food? Waffles, pancakes, breakfast sausage (I give my daughter the morning star meatless sausage cause it's loaded with vitamins). How about healthy muffins? Banana bran are a big hit in this house. All of those things dissolve rather easily.
Egg mixed with avocado on toast is a real winner too.
Deli meat is also easy for them to eat.
