Help! My 9 Month Old Won't Eat Solids

[Anonymous]

My 9 month old barely eats any solids. Some days we can only get a few bites into him. On the best day he eats a total of 4 ounces combined. We are still on jarred foods. We started him on solids at 6 months and have been going slowly due to a history of allergies in our family. He also has no teeth yet. I would love some advice on how to improve things.

[Anonymous]

Try to encourage finger foods, like really small soft foods that he can pick up (think banana, overly soft cooked veggies cheese, etc) Many 9 mo olds dont want to be spoon fed anymore and prefer to feed themselves. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

keep offering a range of foods, don't stress, and your DS will get there eventually. You might try offering some finger foods too and let him have a spoon to take part in the activity while you feed him. Also, I know it's hard not to sneak bites in when they won't eat but try not to sneak bites in if he clearly doesn't want the food. The book Child of Mine: Feeding with Love and Good Sense was helpful to get me through this stage.

[Anonymous]

9:44 here. Just wanted to add that my DS was very picky about his finger foods at first. He didn't want anything remotely wet or slimey (like banana), but he went for strips of toast. He also like the snap pea crisps snack food that you can get at TJs or Whole Foods... not the healthiest option, I guess, but I was desperate and it got him interested!

[Anonymous]

Definitely try finger foods. My second wouldn't be spoon fed or eat purees, but once we introduced finger foods, he started gobbling them down. Teeth aren't necessary for finger foods; it's all about the gums. Start small (Cheerios broken in half), expect some gagging, and plan to finger feed him yourself until he figures out the pincer grip and the getting-food-from-fingers-to-mouth thing. Once he's got cheerios down, try small pieces of cheese, meatball, broccoli (cooked soft), peas, pasta, etc. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

my kid was eating at most 2 tablespoon at 9 month. For the last 2 weeks it has greatly improved. Mine has always hated purees and refused that I feed her. Try finger food: avocado or hummus or white beans puree on toast; puree mixed with pasta (we use rice pasta for egg allergies); tofu/cheerios nugget; teething biscuits (even without tooth it's ok)
Also mine hates anything sweet so fruits do not work but she likes strong tastes so I use lots of herbs, spices etc...
Also my pediatrician says that if something works (like avocado on toast in the evening for us) do not hesitate to give it everyday, use the other meals to introduce new stuff

[Anonymous]

I agree about trying some finger foods. DD is 12 months and doesn't have teeth yet, either. But for the last few months she's gained more and more interest in feeding herself very ripe bananas, black beans (I cut them in half), pasta (we use rice pasta b/c of allergies), mushy cooked carrots and green beans, and avocados (her favorite!!)

[Anonymous]

If it makes you feel any better, I have a 12-month old who eats like your 9-month old. Ugh. I'm lucky if I can get him to finish a 3.5 oz jar of pureed foods and several bites of finger foods. I also have to do a song and dance at each meal. Tonight, he'd only open his mouth if I said "monkey" before each bite.

[Anonymous]

I toddler at 18 mos just started taking solids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were forever considering occupational therapists to remedy this. She only eats finger foods right now. But its better than nothing. She will get there, just dont lose hope.

[Anonymous]

I won't repeat what the PPs have said, but just wanted to add that perhaps if would help if you consistently ate your meals alongside your baby. You'd be surprised how quickly they learn by watching you. Do you do that already?

[Anonymous]

Teething biscuits!!! And yes, eat in front of your baby.

[Anonymous]

We went through the same experience and by around 11 months or so ended up going to a feeding therapist. They are usually occupational/speech therapists that have expertise in feeding therapy. It only took a few visits - which mostly helped me - and I was able to de-stress, learn how to approach some of the feeding challenges I was having with my DD, and really make some strides. Initially we had a full evaluation by Fairfax County just to make sure DD was not behind in any other areas. She tested at or above her age in everything from motor, to cognitive to social - it was just the feeding we were stuck on and the pediatrician recommended feeding therapy because DD was a reflux baby that had a lot of gagging and choking issues that delayed her ability to feel comfortable eating solids. In the end it was the best decision ever. DD is almost 3 and eats all kinds of foods, and no longer has any feeding issues - hasn't for a very long time. So if you find yourself down the road at a stand still, just know there are specialists out there. For now, you've gotten a lot of great advice from PP's that is definitely worth trying first.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thanks for all the recommendations. My daughter has actually regressed - she used to do ok, but now eats NOTHING. Has anyone else had this problem? Also, to the PP who went to the OT, how did you know you needed these services?

[Anonymous]

my almost 4 year old son had alot of trouble with solids at that age. i remember he used to gag on mushed bananas. he was definitely over 12 months before he started eating a bit more but it did take some time. i remember tofu and mashed potatoes were the first things that worked. my pediatrician said that some kids just have a gag reflex longer than others. he did start to eat cookies and sweet things around 18 months...the doc said if he can eat a cookie, he's ok.

he's fine now but it took some work even when he was older to get him to eat fruit and other things with different kinds of textures.