I loved the Make-Ahead Baby Cookbook. My son was a 36 weeker and while he tends to track on time for everything else but food and stomach stuff was rough. I loved how they showed how to thicken and mix the purées over time. It took him a couple months to get a hang out it but now he’s on full table food. We still have occasional gagging/vomiting episodes, but then we just recalibrate.

Don't worry about it. Mine still ate a lot of purees at that age because she was a choking-hazard nightmare (would swallow stuff whole or swallow too-big chunks). I was bad at cutting stuff up small enough and kind of lazy about it. It comes with time. Daycare helped because they would serve food in the toddler room so she learned a lot of her eating skills there.

Could it be something related to oral motor function? An influencer I follow on instagram didn’t get a proper diagnosis for tongue/lip ties until her son was about a year old (maybe even a bit older) after really struggling with solids. It might be worth seeking the opinion of an ENT or pediatric dentist who specializes?

I think it’s a losing battle to be controlling about food. What happens if you just don’t offer purée? Is he getting enough calories through milk/formula? Some people never do purées, so if you’re sick of making them, maybe just gradually stop. I wouldn’t try to coax him into eating any solids. Just put some on his tray or let him see them on your plate and ask for some.

What happens when you only offer solid healthy foods? I would include one safety food that isn’t a purée with 1 other veggie, fruit or piece of protein and see what happens. There are some good resources online with tips and tricks to broaden a kids pallet. I personally follow two accounts on IG that have been helpful, Solid Starts and Feeding Littles.

I wouldn't stress about it. Chunky purees may be a good idea and just keep offering small pieces of regular food. My DD was just like that forever and sucked down pouches like nobody's business until she was at least 2. She's now 4 and will snarf down a hot dog, say, like it's her last meal...he'll get there. More teeth seemed to help us.

Make chunky purées.

What about a gradual approach—make the purée, but add in bits of veggies that a mushed, but not puréed. Gradually adjust the proportions and the level of “purée.” Eventually add in whole peas with the mash.

I am at a loss. We have been offering him table food since 7 months and he almost always refuses to eat pieces of food but will eat the same food if i run it through the blender. He eats fish crackers, puffs etc but not vegetables/fruits if they are in pieces. What strategy should i use?