14 Month Old Not Eating Many "Finger Foods"

My daughter used to tell me if she wanted more. I used to give her food directly off my plate. Maybe if he sees you eating it, he'll want it. From there, try giving him his own plate along with his own fork and spoon. The problems that you are having with meat and veggie is normal. The transition to table food is difficult without back teeth. It takes a lot of effort to chew meat and veggies. He may not be ready to put in that effort yet. Be patient, he'll get it.

Good luck.

J.-

It sounds to me like he is doing great--he is still young. Have you tried macaroni and cheese? I know you said that he doesn't want pasta, but the cheese sauce may change that. You could also try very well done string beans, sometimes children like to hold them.

I would not worry about him eating enough--babies will let you know if they are hungry, if he is not crying and seems satisfied he probably is full.

Hello, it sounds like you have a fussy eater. I work at a daycare where we have a couple kids that do that as well. He may be teething and it is uncompfortable to chew, so he may not like the hard stuff for a while. looking at the foods he does consume, he sounds pretty healthy. Take note of everything he eats and bring it to your childs dr. They are the best ones to help with that. My dr. office has a registered nutritionist. We see her often through out the year. As long as his weight is ok, he's probably eating enough. As for trying new foods, I found it easier to bring my dd around other children her age that ate different foods. It took a while , but now she pretty much is up for anything as long as she isn't allergic to it. Good Luck.

For starters, I would stop pureeing everything. Eight teeth is more than enough for steamed vegetables and soft meat, like boiled chicken. If you're avoiding prepared baby foods, then you have to be more creative. instead of pureeing, you could also try mashing peas or black beans or garbanzo beans, just to change the texture of what he's eating. Also, give him a spoon and let him go to town. He doesn't have to eat finger foods - let him start feeding himself with a spoon. It will be messy, but you have to start somewhere.

Sounds to me like you are giving him a very healthy diet. Kids will stop when they have had enough unlike adults. I say stop worrying and continue with what you give him.

He's too old for puree's any longer. Not to say you cannot give pureed food, but do so in addition to regular food. He's needs to be holding a spoon in his hand and experimenting with learning to eat on his own. I dip my son's chicken bites in apple sauce or pear sauce and he loves them. Good luck.

J.,
It's definitely tough getting them to move to table foods. I had gotten really stressed about it but it will happen naturally. Just keep doing what you're doing. Make tofu, my son loved tofu, it was easy for him to eat with few teeth and it's packed with protein. He also eats a lot of hummus. Make hummus sandwhiches or cream cheese and hummus sandwhiches and cut them up into bite size pieces (until he's ready to eat them in triangles). It sounds to me like you're off to a really good start but I understand your frustration. I worried all the time that my son wasn't getting the nutrition he needed, but at your child's age you're still giving a lot of milk to supplement so you have that to back you up while you're experimenting and seeing what works best for you!

Good luck!

I would start by taking the fruit out of the mesh bag. Eight teeth is enough to chew food. At 14 months my first son only had 4 teeth and was eating soft finger foods. Just give really soft finger foods. I would stop the purees so he learns how to chew better. You'll see, little by little he'll start to eat them. GOod luck!

J.,

I wouldn't think you would have to be giving him purees at all now. My sons were off Stage 3 foods before a year old and those have noodles and all sorts of other chuncks in them. My two oldest sons were on regular table food though maybe slightly mashed depending on what it was by the time they were 1.

It isn't a problem that he doesn't have teeth in the back. Gums can be very hard. :)

Hugs,
L.

When my children were small I had one son who had eating habits like your son. Just continue to try different things. At that time the doctor told me it's how much they consume in a month's time that matters. If he is healthy and not losing weight than I wouldn't worry about it.When they are hungry they will eat. My son is now grown and eats me out of house & home. I also have one that still doesn't like veggies!!! and try cheerios,,,they like them and they are good for them.

Hi J.- O don't have much advice but wanted to tell you that you are not alone. My son is 13 months old a pretty much eats nothing with finger foods. Every time we introduce anything from soft cheese to boiled chicken to eggs he chokes. And every time he chokes he gags and throws-up.So he basically eats everything pureed.

Jen

It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job feeding him. He is used to purees and probably rejecting the finger foods because they are new, I would try giving him his normal meal but offering one addition finger food per meal, he'll eventually warm up to them, they are new. Until he does, I wouldn'y worry about him getting the proper nutrition, if you are feeding him how you say he is getting way better nutrition than some kids I know.

Some finger foods my daughter loved at that age are (steamed till they are quite soft) carrot sticks, and she loved bananas. Good Luck!

I have twin girls that are the same age and have made all my food from the time they started eating. I give you alot of credit for feeding your child all natural. I can give you some ideas for finger foods. I make chicken or turkey meatballs with corn and peas or brocholli mixed in. I use bread crumbs either plain or seasoned and an egg. Boil them for about twenty minutes. They are also great for everyone. Try feeding them or any other fruits veggies to him in pieces and once he gets used to the texture you should have no problem. My daughters gave me problems just due to texture, but they eventually got used to it over time. Don't give up just keep trying. Also sweet potatoes and butternut squash are sweet tasting and smoothe to taste. Don't give up your doing a great job!

Hi J.,
I think you are doing just fine with feeding your 14 month old. You could try to introduce one or new food per week in tiny amounts. If he likes them he will try more and if not try again in a month. But it sounds like he is getting a well balanced diet and not over eating. The finger food thing comes more into play at about 18 months. It is not the same for every kid but that's what I have found. Fear not, kids for the most part eat when they are hungry and drink when they are dry and they stop when they are full. How is your son's weight on the growth chart? If he is not underweight for age, do not worry.
M. - pediatric nurse and mom and grandma

I feel for you! It is so stressful when your kid won't eat! I have a 15 month old who is just starting to eat more finger foods. She started on table food late because of allergies and took a while to catch up. I had the same issues so I started to gradually blend the food a little bit less. Try it with pears if he likes them. When you cook the pears just quickly blend them so that they are still soft but a bit chunkier. I was told that some babies have trouble adjusting to different textures in their mouth.

My best advice is just keep trying. The more foreign a food seems the less likely they are to eat it. I just accept the wasted food and try again the next day or the day after, or the next week. He will eat more as he gets used to the sight and texture of each food.

I highly recommend this book for all parents to read, "My Child Won't Eat, How to Prevent & Solve the Problem." by Carlos Gonzalez, MD.

This book will answer many of your questions how and when to feed a child solid food and how to understand feeding guidelines. Included are nice sections about growth and the breastfed baby and the growth of a bottle fed baby.

He also reminds us that a child's stomach is only as big as her fist and that children instinctively know how many calories need to be consumed for optimal growth and energy. Our job is to provide those calories in nutritious forms.

If every mom reads this book the next generation will no longer need reality shows like, "The Biggest Loser."

Peace in Parenting
L. :)

My son is 13 months & I am going through the same thing. He has 6 teeth 2 at the bottom & 4 at top with 2 more coming in at top. He is actually just starting to get a little better. His problem is he doesn't want to chew. Last week I started pureed fruits & vegies which went over very well but on day 5 I started giving him fruits a little puree and some of it solid. He actually started liking it. I found out by watching him his problem is the chewing. He wants it but having problems chewing it. I just kepted on pushing it back into his mouth until he swallowed. Everyday I am trying to figure out different ways on how to get him to eat & try different foods. It is hard as we are 1st time moms we just have to be patient & in due time they will be eating all kinds of food.

Good luck & keep me posted.

My daughter whis now 20 months was the same way at that age. She had no interest in eating anything that she had to really chew. We started with pasta , then totally cut out all pureed food. I just didn't give it to her. When she realized she had no choice to eat what was given to her, she finally started to eat different things. Trust me , she isn't going to starve herself. She will eat when she is hungry. it took a couple of weeks for her to adjust to new foods, but is doing fine