What to feed a 9 1/2 old infant who refuses to be spoon fed? Is table food appropriate at this age?

Question

What types of table food?

Answer 1

If by "table food" you mean *food* as opposed to so-called "baby foods", it is the *only* thing to feed a baby. "Baby foods" were invented back when babies were given "solids" at 2 weeks to 2 months of age--long before a baby can possibly digest anything other than human milk. At least when they passed out of the baby, they didn't come out in whole pieces (which would have done even *more* damage to the baby). If your baby is *ready* to eat, you *should* give real food. It is tastier and more nutritious than "baby foods".

You can offer any food that your family enjoys *except* if it is highly allergenic or a choking hazard. The most allergenic foods are dairy, egg, soy, and wheat (and peanuts, if you live in the US or if either parent is American). Other allergenic foods include citrus and berries, chocolate, tomatoes, corn, nuts, pork, and fish. These can be introduced after a year (longer if you have food allergies in the family).

Foods that are a choking hazard are anything that is hard, firm, or sticky and about the same size as the baby's throat. This includes whole nuts, chunks of raw carrot, popcorn, and peanut butter from a spoon. In most cases, you can "fix" the foods so that they aren't a choking hazard. For instance, chop the nuts, grate the carrot, or spread the peanut butter thinly on a cracker or slice of bread. Avoid choking hazards uuntil baby is 3-5 years old (depending on who you ask).

Note--when we talk about an adult "choking" on something, we mean coughing it up because it started going down the wrong way. This is *not* the same as with a baby. Here, a "choking hazard" is something the baby *can't* cough up as it closes her/his windpipe entirely. If you are careful what you offer your baby and she/he coughs on something, it is uncomfortable but not dangerous. You don't need to worry.

Answer 2

My daughter stopped spoon feeding at about 8 months. She wanted to grab everything herself. They make all kinds of finger foods for this age. Gerber has the graduates line of products. Pork and Chicken are also soft enough after they are cooked. Just about any cooked veggie just make sure u cut it up good and not into circles. Plus they have little cereal like puffs that come in different flavors that dissolve really easy.

A little note to Cyanne2ak I hope u do not have any kids. Why would u tell some one that it would be so horrible to give a 9 1/2 month old table foods yet u would suggest to not give the baby formula? Every pediatrician will tell u they need formula until they are 1 year old. If you don't know what you are talking about then keep your inexperience to yourself please.

Answer 3

My little one is the same age and we are struggling with the same problem. She does not want to take the time to sit and eat from a spoon, she wants to keep playing with her brothers! We are using the baby finger foods (next to the baby food normally) and she is doing great with them. She also enjoys very soft fruits and vegetables, though I caught her eating a fresh apple the other day! Crackers, fruit loops, and cheerios are also good. As long as she is still taking formula or nursing well there is no need for any food before a year so don't worry about it. All of the nutrition she needs in still in the formula/breast milk.

Answer 4

it is okay to feed your 9 month old table food of sorts, you just have to know how to prepare it to match his ability to eat certain foods. I would lay off the meats for now as he/she probably doesn't know to chew or probably not have the teeth to chew properly yet. If you are going to feed adult food, make sure that the fruits and vegs are soft enough that they baby is not going to choke if it is not totally chewed up, and bread can be given, just put a little margerine on it, a very small amount so that it isn't so dry and keep the pieces very small. Maybe your baby is ready for finger foods, he/she could try cheerios now, that is appropriate for that age. Just make sure that you are watching your baby eat at all times to catch choking before it is a problem.

Answer 5

Just please avoid anything they can choke on! Carrot sticks, grapes, hot dogs, etc. And give them nothing in chunks bigger than cherios. Healthy simple foods only. I mean think about it, baby food is really only mashed food. Try little pieces of bananna, peaches, pears, sweet potato, etc. Just pay attention to your baby, if they are having a hard time with it, back off. And really, a baby at this age does not need many calories from anything other than breast milk or formula until they are about a year old. So don't worry that they are not getting enough. These months are for introducing the stuff they need later, and getting them to figure out how to use their mouths.

Answer 6

Barring any unusual allergies to food (introduce each food slowly)...6 months is the typical age to introduce foods in general. Baby foods that are pureed aren't necessary, they're just mashed up enough to not be a choking hazard and are pure in their form (no salt or sugars added). You certainly MAY feed your nearly 10-month old table food as long as it's chopped/mashed enough and doesn't contain any added salt/sugars. Stay away from dairy (and honey) until 1 yr old, though.

If your 10 month old is anything like mine was...(s)he probably will eat tons more once (s)he can feed (her)himself!

Good luck!

Answer 7

My son refused baby food at 6 months old. And was able to feed himself small bites of food. He already at 6 teeth and could chew soft food.

He started cereal at 3 weeks old eating off a spoon and baby food at 4 months old. Of course every book you read it says that was way to young. But my son was not a typical baby he was very big for his age and need more than formula could do for him.

He turned out just fine and is a very healthy kid to this day
Just feed him soft small bites of food.

You could do cooked apples and pears.
Peaches. Noodles with ground hamburger.
Small pieces of chicken.

Try giving your baby the spoon and see what happens. Just be prepared for a mess =)

Answer 8

My daughter was like that starting at 7 months. I started buying the Gerber Graduates for soft food, Cherrios are WONDERFUL, and you can get these things called "Little Dippers" I know that Target sells them. They are these little spoons that look like sticks with grooves in them to "grab" food. They can't jab it into the back of their throat or anything, but they may like it! It helps teach self feeding! Don't force your child to be fed by you, they are wanting their independance. You can try gerber graduates or you can give them SOFT table foods. Even things that will be messy (put something under the high chair to make the mess easy to clean if it sits on carpet). Just be sure you do NOT leave your child unattended.

My daughter started getting table foods, cherrios, and gerber graduates at 7 months old (my doctor said what ever it too to get her to eat and it was FINE). She even LOVED spagetti! Now she is VERY good at feeding herself. She was feeding herself with her hands (and would still accept me feeding her after her first few months of feeding herself) until about a month ago when she would INSIST on a fork or spoon. Now she is learning those! I kept baby foods on hand, Stage 3, until she got her first teeth in for the day or two a week that she would let me feed her at least one meal. She is 17 months old now and VERY independant and HAPPY!

Just make sure they are SOFT foods and not to leave them unattended for any period of time. And no peanut butter or seafood! Also you are suppose to give them only egg yoke, buy my daughter didn't like eggs till she was over a year old anyway.

Edit: I love cyanna's suggestion to almost STARVE your child! That is NOT a good idea. If they just want FORMULA (not old enough for MILK) let them have it, my daughter STILL goes through day and doesn't eat much, just drinks milk and juice. Babies go through phases, it is alright as long as they are getting something in their belly!!

Answer 9

the baby is old enough to eat just about anything that you are eating at this point, just watch out for high allergic foods, like strawberries (although mine ate them) peanut butter, eggs, etc etc. My daughter was the same way, we thought she was going to starve, she just wanted what we had. At about 8 mos we started feeding her from th table, my son was even earlier. Just make sure that what you have at the table is as healthy as the baby food and you will be fine.

Answer 10

I fed table foods to my children at that age. I would suggest finger foods. they do make baby foods that are finger foods also. Some children like thoes better than being spoon fed. Your child is starting to reach an age where children start wanting to experiment with foods them selves.