Hi, R.,
My son was the same way (and still is in many ways). He is 18 months old and still likes only stage 2 baby food. While he does eat some solids, grilled cheese, almost any toasted bread, yogurt, etc., he would gag on the stage 3s every time. We are now trying the graduates with him and he's not liking those very much either. For him it's either stage 2 fruits and veggies or real food. He's not a meat eater either. So if it has chunky food/meat in it, he doesn't like the texture and gags and throws up everything that he's eaten. He didn't start eating "real" food until he was well over a year. I think he'll come around on his own. His father and I aren't worried about it because he is completely healthy in every respect, he just doesn't like the chunks. Now he did take to the foods that dissolved quickly too (after he was a year old though). They are the puffed cereals, and I think that helped him. As soon as it hit the inside of his mouth it almost dissolved completely. We broke them in half at first. Now he eats the big ones that look like cheetos but are still just puffed cheesed flavored cereal. There is not a lot in them (fat, sugar, carbs) but we really just want to get him used to having some substance in his mouth. I think that's helped with him trying other food. But.....today he still gags on stage 3s so hang in there and just go with what he'll take. If our son never eats stage 3 then so be it. He'll be just fine. I know those levels were created for a reason, but they are not for everyone. We're really just going with what our son tells us he needs/wants/feels....of course as long as he is getting what he needs in the long run! Good luck.
R. (1st time mother of 18 month old)