Gagging & Encouraging Self Feeding ?

jonnasue71

How do you encourage self feeding? Every day I put a few cherrios and puffs out on DS's high chair and he doesnt attempt to pick them up and feed himself at all. Except MumMums which he loves. He did at first but doesnt really have any control of his pincer grasp yet and now he just doesnt even try.

He has been on solids since 4 months old and still gaggs on anything that isnt pureed with the exception of puffs, cheerios, yogurt bites, Zwieback Toast and MumMums. I have tried mashed potatoes, smashed carrots, small pieces of bread etc. He gaggs on everything and then often throws up because he gaggs so much. He will tolerate things pretty thick and has for quite a while. Loves his sippy cup and will guzzly down some water but that is about where it ends. He used to be a great eater and now its like pulling teeth most of the time even with the purees! Anyone else have this problem with your LO? Could it be indicative of an issue or he just needs more time?

Any ideas or suggestions? TIA!

Renee070806

I am not having your issue..but when DS first started to self feed I would put them on my hand and offer them to him (rather than the tray).

I also gave him the Gerber fruit chunks to help him practice mashing.  He still loves them.  The peaches are pretty soft...

Is he tounge tied?  I dont know if that causes issues with food..but I know some babies have a hard time with bottles ...

I gave DS puffs several times a day for two weeks before he mastered getting them in his mouth.

Good Luck

jonnasue71

No he isnt tongue tied. He takes a bottle like a champ. He just doesnt try to feed himself. I have tried putting them in my hand as well. I dont know what him problem is. I just tried the gerber carrot chunks tonight and they were really soft but he gagged and carried on then refused after 2 or 3 little pieces. I guess I'll just keep trying. Thanks

cbmyers

We do alot of the Gerber Yogurt Melts and have since about four and a half to five months.  My son loves them and they dissolve really fast maybe to help him get started.  I put everything in my son's mouth for him for a long time not realizing he could pick it up.  So I guess my advice is to try the Yogurt Melts.

jonnasue71

Thanks. I mentioned in my first post that he does tolerate the yogurt melts, puffs, cheerios, MumMums and Zwiebck toast but nothing else. Nothing soft or mushy.

neya28

I don't think its an issue really. My pedi said to expect self feeding attempts and starting a little of table foods at 9 months. Some babies do it earlier though. My friend's DD has been doing it since around 7 months but she's a really good eater in general. I would mention it to your pedi at the next visit but I really don't think it indicates a problem (that's my non expert opinion lol).

Also with not being so enthusiastic about food. DS has been on solids for a month or so and is already getting bored. He used to get all excited about it but now I guess its just an everyday thing. It takes way longer to feed him now because he keeps getting distracted.