9 month old not eating regular food?

Trishd

My son won't eat anything that needs to be chewed.  Even puffs.  If we give it to him he gags.

We brought this up at his 9 month well visit and the ped didn't seem too concerned although she said if he is still not eating food by his 12 month visit she wants to do a test on his esophagus. 

     My MIL was with me at the visit and she told me not to worry, she thinks he's just not ready yet.  Also, he has acid reflux and the doc wants to change his meds to see if it is possibly his reflux and that is doing it.  My MIL kind of agreed with that theory because she has it too and she said it is sometimes hard to take certain foods.

I'm trying to think positive but I'm also concerned my son may have eating issues.  Anyone else's child not really eating regular food?

nic5606

Right there with you and my son is almost 11 months. I asked the pedi and she some babies take longer to eat, just like walking or anything else. My lo will only eat pureed food. (gerber brand to be exact)  I have pureed food for him and it is has a bit more texture and he will gag or spit it out.

He also gags on puffs and mum mums. I have given him other things to try as well such as a strawberry, banana, strip of toast, noodle, etc and he either gags or will just push it out his mouth.

The reason I am not worried is because I am a NP and order swallow eval for adults all the time with difficulty swallowing and when they test people the goal is to get to thin liquids as those are the easiest to aspirate if there is a problem. So, they start with purees and milk shake consistancy foods and fluids then eventually get to thins. Well, obviously our babies are drinking breast milk or formula wiht out a problem, so, I feel it is a texture thing and they will get used to it over time.

Don't worry, I am 99.9 % positive our little one will be eating normally over the next few months. Hang in there.

AnnaMPAdams

We had this issue up until recently, and our pedi told us that some babies just have very sensitive gag reflexes. DS would down some purees, but if he encountered a chunk he almost always gagged. Our pedi also suggested that we start using one of those finger toothbrushes on DS's gums and tongue 3 times a day to sort of desensitize his gag reflex and get him used to objects being in his mouth, and it seems to have worked a lot. I can now give DS puffs without him gagging, and we've also moved on to chunkier baby foods with no problem.

fcp1234

Same boat. The only things he will eat are puffs and banana cut in little pieces. He throws up even if I try the texture foods. We are still on stage 2 Gerber, tried to give stage 3 last night, he threw up after the first spoon. LO also had reflux but we stopped the meds a couple months ago. I feel like we are sooooo far behind with his eating habits, but here he is taking steps on his own..I guess some things they learn fast, some things take longer.

ghcc

My DD is 9 months old, and I have been worried about this for over a month. She didn't want any food that was chunkier than a smooth puree. I brought it up to the pedi on Monday, and she also said not to worry, but to keep trying. Out of the blue, yesterday, she started shoveling cheerios in her mouth! She did it again this a.m. and can't get enough of them! Hang in there, it will happen when he is ready.

 (Mine also has reflux..so I was worried about the same thing.)

featherust

This was happening with DD until 2 weeks ago.  Now all she wants are puffs!  She also is pushing away puree foods now. So, now we are thinking on moving to some soft finger foods.  It will happen when they are ready.  

Trishd

Great advice!! Thanks so much.  We definitely keep offering at least the puffs and he will eat real oatmeal and applesauce so he is a little tolerant of certain foods.

 

Daniella20

My guy is 12 months and just started trying solids without gagging. Up until now it was yogurt and Cheerios!! Hang in there and try to not worry!!