A mom writes in asking for advice about her 11-month-old baby who, she says, refuses to eat any food other than baby food. She has tried a ton of different baby-safe foods, but nothing has taken. Her son will only eat baby food with cereal mixed in. If she gives him something else, like peas or eggs or banana, “he will gag until he makes himself throw up.” Do you have any advice for this mom?
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A member of the community asks:
“My baby refuses to eat anything other than baby food: Advice?
Have any of you mamas had a baby that refused to eat anything other than baby food? My son is 11 months old, and he is old enough to practice with food. I have been working with him for a few months now on eating different foods such as peas, puffs, diced soft carrots, eggs, my homemade chicken pot pie (chopped up), bananas mashed and just handing him half of one to gnaw on, etc. Anything that is safe for his age, we have tried.
He will only eat baby food with cereal mixed in. He will gag until he makes himself throw up. Is this normal? My daughter was eating everything she could get her hands on at 9-11 months but I know every baby is different. I feel like he is far behind on eating. I can get him to eat a few bites of mashed potatoes and some yogurt bites but that’s about it.
I called his doctor and he is supposed to be seeing a feeding therapist but due to Covid-19, they aren’t open. I was wondering if any other moms went through this, and what yall did or what food yall may have tried to get your little ones to start enjoying food.”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Whose 11-Month-Old Will Only Eat Baby Food and Refuses Everything Else
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Baby Food Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“Give him safe finger foods. He will feed himself.”
“Stop with the purees and just start giving him finger foods. He can literally have anything and everything except honey.”
“Could be a texture thing? I would just keep trying. At least he is eating so dont get discouraged just yet!!”
“It just takes time for some babies to adjust to different textures. My youngest ate off the table by 8 months old (anything safe for her to gum-chew). My oldest was 15 months before she accepted eating foods with texture. She’s 9 now and perfectly healthy. I’d just start giving him different textures.”
“Make smoothies with the baby cereal in it and try yogurt. As long as he’s growing and getting the proper nutrition it’s fine if he won’t eat what other kids will.”
“Get a baby food grinder called Food Mill. Cook potatoes and sweet potatoes until very soft. And put it in a good mill and it will be like baby food. Baby is old enough to feed himself. Do not try to use a spoon and feed. Baby can eat eggs now (scrambled) and toast. Put it on the high chair tray.”
“Talk to your pediatrician it could be a sensory thing. On the other hand, it could be nothing at all.”
“Don’t smash everything… The texture is probably queuing the gag. I have texture issues myself so the thought of a smooshed up banana or mushy eggs makes me want to gag too. Maybe figure out different ways to serve the soft foods. Bite-size pieces. Just a thought”
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