Annoying post- what the hell do I feed my almost 10 month old

jeng329

I think I have issues.  I'm that mom that will always see her baby as a teeny tiny baby. I guess he's growing up and needs different foods...

He is starting to refuse solids and with finger foods I have no idea how  much he's really getting.  I  guess he knows when he is hungry and when he isn't. 

*blondie*

I am already like this. We just started giving dd a 2nd solids feeding in the morning before her nap. And I don't see a 3rd one in our future for a while. She's still too little in my eyes to be moving up.

LenMont

My son loooooves to eat so I have lots of suggestions for finger foods. First, if you like to cook, try some of the recipes on nurturebaby.com.  My son loves the mac and cheese and veggie pasta.

other things he eats:

steamed chopped broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans (those are tough for him, though)

diced avocado, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears, blueberries, bananas, kiwi

little pieces of toast with cream cheese on it, chopped up cheese cubes, grilled cheese sandwiches

Basically, he eats whatever we're eating...just cut up in tiny pieces.

*blondie*

LenMont:

My son loooooves to eat so I have lots of suggestions for finger foods. First, if you like to cook, try some of the recipes on nurturebaby.com.  My son loves the mac and cheese and veggie pasta.

other things he eats:

steamed chopped broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans (those are tough for him, though)

diced avocado, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears, blueberries, bananas, kiwi

little pieces of toast with cream cheese on it, chopped up cheese cubes, grilled cheese sandwiches

Basically, he eats whatever we're eating...just cut up in tiny pieces.

I can't imagine my dd doing this in just another 3 months! Crazy.

Leila'sMommy

*blondie*:

LenMont:

My son loooooves to eat so I have lots of suggestions for finger foods. First, if you like to cook, try some of the recipes on nurturebaby.com.  My son loves the mac and cheese and veggie pasta.

other things he eats:

steamed chopped broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans (those are tough for him, though)

diced avocado, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears, blueberries, bananas, kiwi

little pieces of toast with cream cheese on it, chopped up cheese cubes, grilled cheese sandwiches

Basically, he eats whatever we're eating...just cut up in tiny pieces.

I can't imagine my dd doing this in just another 3 months! Crazy.

I know exactly how you feel - I couldn't picture my DD doing it either, and all of the sudden she started eating what we are eating and now she's on a roll! It is *amazing* how quickly they develop.

jeng329

Leila'sMommy:

*blondie*:

LenMont:

My son loooooves to eat so I have lots of suggestions for finger foods. First, if you like to cook, try some of the recipes on nurturebaby.com.  My son loves the mac and cheese and veggie pasta.

other things he eats:

steamed chopped broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans (those are tough for him, though)

diced avocado, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears, blueberries, bananas, kiwi

little pieces of toast with cream cheese on it, chopped up cheese cubes, grilled cheese sandwiches

Basically, he eats whatever we're eating...just cut up in tiny pieces.

I can't imagine my dd doing this in just another 3 months! Crazy.

I know exactly how you feel - I couldn't picture my DD doing it either, and all of the sudden she started eating what we are eating and now she's on a roll! It is *amazing* how quickly they develop.

But do you guys only do finger foods, or do you give purees at eat meal too?  

LenMont

Trust me-it kinda came out of nowhere!! It freaked me out a little but now I love it!! We went out to lunch today and it was sooo easy because he just ate some of my lunch! And it's a nice little weight loss trick for mommy, too! I give myself a normal portion of food and then serve a quarter of it to the kid---I'm so busy making sure he eats that I don't even realize I'm eating less!

LenMont

I do mostly just finger foods but once an awhile I throw in a puree if he seems game. For example, I wasn't sure that he was getting enough veggies yesterday so I fed him some pureed spinach while he was in between bites of the rest of his dinner. It seems to work better that way--if he has something on his tray to occupy his hands, he'll tolerate a few quick spoonfuls.  

JenG329:

Leila'sMommy:

*blondie*:

LenMont:

My son loooooves to eat so I have lots of suggestions for finger foods. First, if you like to cook, try some of the recipes on nurturebaby.com.  My son loves the mac and cheese and veggie pasta.

other things he eats:

steamed chopped broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans (those are tough for him, though)

diced avocado, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears, blueberries, bananas, kiwi

little pieces of toast with cream cheese on it, chopped up cheese cubes, grilled cheese sandwiches

Basically, he eats whatever we're eating...just cut up in tiny pieces.

I can't imagine my dd doing this in just another 3 months! Crazy.

I know exactly how you feel - I couldn't picture my DD doing it either, and all of the sudden she started eating what we are eating and now she's on a roll! It is *amazing* how quickly they develop.

But do you guys only do finger foods, or do you give purees at eat meal too?  

 

thegan

LenMont:

My son loooooves to eat so I have lots of suggestions for finger foods. First, if you like to cook, try some of the recipes on nurturebaby.com.  My son loves the mac and cheese and veggie pasta.

other things he eats:

steamed chopped broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans (those are tough for him, though)

diced avocado, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears, blueberries, bananas, kiwi

little pieces of toast with cream cheese on it, chopped up cheese cubes, grilled cheese sandwiches

Basically, he eats whatever we're eating...just cut up in tiny pieces.

This is what we do as well.  We don't even do purees anymore.

*blondie*

LenMont:

I do mostly just finger foods but once an awhile I throw in a puree if he seems game. For example, I wasn't sure that he was getting enough veggies yesterday so I fed him some pureed spinach while he was in between bites of the rest of his dinner. It seems to work better that way--if he has something on his tray to occupy his hands, he'll tolerate a few quick spoonfuls.  

I never thought of doing spinach. How does your ds do with it?

appleofmyeye

LenMont:

My son loooooves to eat so I have lots of suggestions for finger foods. First, if you like to cook, try some of the recipes on nurturebaby.com.  My son loves the mac and cheese and veggie pasta.

other things he eats:

steamed chopped broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans (those are tough for him, though)

diced avocado, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears, blueberries, bananas, kiwi

little pieces of toast with cream cheese on it, chopped up cheese cubes, grilled cheese sandwiches

Basically, he eats whatever we're eating...just cut up in tiny pieces.

We are basically doing this as well. He also likes Yobaby yogurts with his oatmeal in the morning.

FyshWyfe

appleofmyeye:

LenMont:

My son loooooves to eat so I have lots of suggestions for finger foods. First, if you like to cook, try some of the recipes on nurturebaby.com.  My son loves the mac and cheese and veggie pasta.

other things he eats:

steamed chopped broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans (those are tough for him, though)

diced avocado, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears, blueberries, bananas, kiwi

little pieces of toast with cream cheese on it, chopped up cheese cubes, grilled cheese sandwiches

Basically, he eats whatever we're eating...just cut up in tiny pieces.

We are basically doing this as well. He also likes Yobaby yogurts with his oatmeal in the morning.

You siggy pic is hilarious.

We do mostly finger foods already.  She loves it.  She'll eat anything.  When I'm too lazy to steam up some veggies for her she'll eat a jar of stage 3 stuff.  But mostly it's table food.  

wellfleet04

Both of my kids were completely done with purees by 8 months. Ben eats what we do with the exception of dairy (allergic), honey, nuts and shellfish.

Today he ate: melon cubes and regular oatmeal for breakfast, a turkey sandwich with avocado slices for lunch, and chili for dinner.  Last night he ate stir fry.  I don't even cut it into super tiny pieces anymore--he takes bites of stuff like toast, bananas, etc.

Good finger foods to start with: pieces of fruits and veggies, beans (my kids both love all kinds of beans and they are a good size and soft), bread/bagels/waffles/pancakes, etc.  

As for the amount, don't worry about it.  Kids naturally eat until they are full and not more.  My pedi says, and I follow that it is my job to offer healthy foods, it is their job to decide what and how much to eat.  This is especially important for toddlers who love to assert control and become super picky/ritualistic eaters.

LenMont

*blondie*:

LenMont:

I do mostly just finger foods but once an awhile I throw in a puree if he seems game. For example, I wasn't sure that he was getting enough veggies yesterday so I fed him some pureed spinach while he was in between bites of the rest of his dinner. It seems to work better that way--if he has something on his tray to occupy his hands, he'll tolerate a few quick spoonfuls.  

I never thought of doing spinach. How does your ds do with it?

He loves it--it totally grosses me out, though

jeng329

Well, this could explain why I'm frustrated.  I usually put fruit/veggie cut up on his tray for finger foods.  He goes to town on that.  While he's eating that, I make the baby cereal and add in pureed fruit.  I spend all the time making it and if I'm lucky he'll take 3 bites.  Tonight- one small bite.  And then I throw it all out! 

He will take purees at daycare, but maybe that's because she doesn't offer as many finger foods?  

I guess purees just felt safe to me.  I knew that he was getting what he needs, and how many ounces he was getting.  I worry with table food that he isn't getting enough variety.  

Also, how do you just give him what you are eating?  Aren't there too many new foods to introduce at once?  Is the 4 day rule out the window now?

I told you...I'm pathetic.  No wonder why my dad made fun of me at lunch today.  

PLUS- I feel if he eats what I'm eating it will be less healthy.  There is more salt, fat, crap in the foods I eat than what's in the jar.  I try to eat healthy, but it's not always a perfect diet- especially if I eat out!  See why the jarred foods felt safe?   

LenMont

Not pathetic at all. I really struggled (and still struggled) with all the stuff you're worried about.  Giving him what I"m eating has been a huge wake-up call for me with my own eating. i've always been a pretty healthy eater, but now I have even more incentive. I skip all the stuff I wouldn't want him to have. And once and awhile he ends up getting something that's not that great for him, but I think it all balances out.

I was freaking out about my mom giving him some banana bread a month or two ago when I had an epiphany. Banana bread? Really?? That's not that bad!! I realized that at some point, he was going to be eating "real" food and there wasn't some magical time when his body would suddenly be able to process sugar or fat or whatever any better than it can right now. Now, my rule of thumb is that if I can see him eating it when he's two, he can eat it now (except nuts).

As for the 4 day thing...eh...I kinda threw it out the window. I was careful at first, but now I just kinda go with it and we haven't had any problems.

Good luck!

bobcatsteph

DD's pedi said we should be totally off of purees and on finger foods only by now. We still have some purees that we're finishing up but she eats pretty much whatever we eat. We just cut it up in small pieces and put it on her highchair tray.

ETA: It really helps that we started eating healthy ourselves. If we go out to eat, we'll order a side of steamed veggies and cut them up for her. We haven't followed the 4 day rule for a while, plus she had most of the fruits and veggies as purees anyway.

Elisa312

Well , this post makes me feel like a horrible mother.

DS is not into texture.  He eats purees like a champ and really wants nothing to do with table food.  He will eat puffs and little crunchies and some cut up cheese, but if we put anything else on his tray, he just plays with it.

He makes the most horrible faces when I give him what I am eating. he does not even like stage 3 food.

I am scared to go off formula because I feel his his body will not be getting enough of the good stuff it needs re: vitamins and minerals.

Argh.