Introducing solids - need advice

aquariogirl

Hello, LO is a31 weeker now, almost 7 month adjusted. I started with oatmeal about 4 weeks ago and no luck. He wouldn't open his mouth, when he did I would try to put some of it in his mouth but he would only swallow a very small amount one or twice during the feed. I tried very thin with formula, thicker, different baby spoons. Two days ago I introduced butternut squash homemade pur?e. He would not cry but he is not interested either. Today he swallowed once and made a face. Im afraid that as a preemie he'll have issues. I'm a FTM so i can't compare. I will see his pediatrician in 2 weeks. I'm also seeing a OT but I think I should see a ST at this point. 

It is going to be 1 month that I started trying to feed him solids and he has eaten less that 1 tsp on a good day.  Please advice. When I talk to friends that have ft babies they just say it is very strange and can't help much bc they have not have issues.

Missa_g

My boys are 29 weekers who are 6.5m adjusted. We just started solids two weeks ago. It's still really early for them to get the hang of it! Try a variety of foods, your kid might just not like the taste of what has been offered. Definitely talk to their doctor if you're concerned, although it sounds normal to me.

3litttlebirds

I am an ST. You could see an ST or OT (depends on what state you are in as to which profession normally treats feeding issues) if you wanted...but at the same time, it is still early. If your LO were a year and having issues after a good bit of trying, then I would say definitely see someone. But it sounds like you just started with solids, so it's okay that your LO is not taking to it right away...it's something different and a new skill to learn! Even in a "typical" baby (one that was full term with no developmental delays) it is normal to take up to 20 exposures to a food for them to become comfortable with the new taste/texture and accept it. Here's what I would suggest: Pick only a couple of foods that are similar in taste/texture and present those foods once a day. Offer bites to LO by saying "try some"...do not phrase as a question (in other words, don't say something like "do you want some?") Let LO take his time during the feeding and if some is eaten, great...if it's not eaten, that's fine too. If LO is not really eating, which might be the case at first, remove the food after a set time (say 10-15 minutes...or just judge by how well LO is tolerating sitting) so that your LO doesn't become frustrated by too much time spent on something new/different. Provide lots of verbal praise for any attempt at trying the food, this includes touching the food, placing spoon on lips, food in mouth (even if not swallowed). Ignore any undesired behaviors during mealtime. If LO spits out food, for example, just clean it up...but don't acknowledge or show stress. Most of this advice is if your LO actually had an issue...which, at this point, I don't think is the case. For now, if you just stuck with offering just a couple foods daily for up to 20 exposures, you're on the right track. Lots of people will give the advice of "don't let a baby/child play with their food," but babies are very tactile, so during therapy, hands on play/exploration of food is encouraged. So I would encourage you to let your LO touch the food with their hands, if attempted. Good luck!

aquariogirl

Thank you very much for the replies! I was really starting to worry. I will keep trying  and like pp said not show any frustration. Thanks again for the advice!

I will try one food at a time and once I can see there's no allergy I'll offer a few of those a day to see if he becomes more interested that way.  

 

 

I'm so grateful for the Premmies forum, I feel like we are a family here. Evryone is helpful here. Happy New year!

takmjs

Our pediatrician suggested that her first food be prunes, because she was very constipated. With a sweet taste and very smooth texture (I've never thought cereal was a good first food bc of its texture, no matter how thin you make it), it worked for us. My daughter was a 30 weeker and started solids at 4 months adjusted (bc nothing else was working for her constipation). We did prunes for a good 2-3 weeks before trying any other food just bc she didn't eat much at first and needed the prunes.