9 Month Old Boycotting Solids

Have you tried letting her use the spoon? Even though she wont be able to feed herself very well, it could spark an interest. I know when my son was about that age he really wanted to hold the spoon and would spit his food out if I didn't give it to him. So I let him hold one and I fed him with another one. Eventually he would not let me feed him from a spoon at all and at that point I switched to only table foods.

My son also gags and chokes...actually he is almost 17 months old and still does maybe once every week or two. It scares me to death and I have tried cutting everything into extra tiny pieces but it still happens. He just does not take the time to chew everything thoroughly [he has all of his teeth including his 2 yr molars so there is no excuse]. I have had to tip him over and save him probably 60 times since he started solids. He has reflux and was a big puker as well - the big time, whole-stomach and/or projectile puking subsided by 10 or 11 months for us.

Anyway, my point is, even if you wait until she is older she may still throw up and choke. However it may help to just take a little break and try again in a couple of weeks. Then you can start again with a whole new attitude, and praise her on how she is "such a good eater" when she does eat well for you. I think she is probably ready to start trying some finger foods but you may want to coarse-grind or mash things first to introduce some texture and bigger bits. Also I would wait at least 2 hours after giving her a bottle to feed her to make sure she is hungry because it really does make a huge difference. Even if she is only getting bottles right now, she wont be on formula forever. It's not such a big deal in the long run. Just keep trying.

Hi...sounds like you have tried a lot of things, including some different finger foods. It may not hurt to have an OT (occupational therapist) look at her. They work with kids on many "daily living' kinds of things, including feeding/eating. They have some great ideas. Usually you can find someone free through your school district.

Until a baby is a year old, their nutrition should come from formula/breastmilk. Solids and other foods are just for practice and fun!

Don't stress and try again in a couple weeks.

She might just be getting mad at you. If she's an independent little girl she might want to be in control. I had to give my daughter her own fork or spoon so she could practice using them. Eventually she would get tired of working so hard and let me feed her. Give her her formula after she's had a chance to eat her food. Don't force it. If she's doesn't want the food she doesn't want it. Lucky for you she is young enough that solids are still part of learning. She should still be getting most of her nutrients from breastmilk or formula at this stage.

Sounds like you are going to have to keep trying regular table foods with her . She is not liking the baby foods any more . Both mine were off the baby food by 8 months it is not worth the fight if they want real food . You might have to feed her the food a piece at a time so she does not gag .

The previous poster has a great idea with introducing the spoon. That's about the time my son would bite down and hold the spoon in his mouth, then he would take it and try to put the spoon in the bowl.

Maybe thicken the baby food with baby cereal so it is thick enough for your daughter to pick up with her hands and eat it. Then you can slowly add some chunkier pieces to that. Add some brown rice, etc. I just give the bowl to my son with the spoon and let him go to town! He's a mess afterwards, but he loves it!

Good luck.