Any suggestions on how to get my 9 month old grandchild to eat solid foods? Is she too young for finger foods? Can she have finger foods even if she doesn't have any teeth in yet? Helpful advice is appreciated!
2006-10-17 10:12:23 · 6 answers · asked by N-Ma 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The most important thing to remember is that all babies are different. While your 9 mo old grandchild seems "old enough" to be eating solids, she may not be ready. Breastmilk or formula IS still the best nutrition for her right now. Eating solids at her age is about practicing how to eat, not really what she eats.
If you want to get her on solids, start simple. Any of those single-grain baby cereals are good to start. Try one kind one day at a time and increase frequency when she starts to be more comfortable with the idea of eating solids. You can also try feeding her solids when you know she is hungry. Babies are more open to what they eat when they are hungry!
As for finger foods, she is not too young to start. The Gerber puffs are nice, but be careful not to give too much because they contain sugar. Cheerios are great finger foods to start--my baby loves them! Don't worry about her having no teeth. Most babies don't learn to use their teeth until much later anyway. Other good finger foods are: any food that dissolves easily with saliva (squares of toast, waffles, string cheese, other soft cheeses).
2006-10-17 19:03:47 · answer #1 · answered by caliorchid 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any "solid" food consumed before a baby is 1 year old is really just for practice. She should still be getting the majority, if not all, of her calories from breastmilk or formula. If she isn't interested in solid foods yet, don't push her. She'll let you know when she's ready.
When she does show interest, it's best to start on an infant cereal (or you can make your own). Rice cereal tends to be less allergenic than other varieties. Then you can slowly add in fruits and vegetables.
2006-10-17 17:17:12 · answer #2 · answered by Inquisitive Mom of 2 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
follow her lead. it's important to respect a child's messages about food - what she takes in to her own body is very personal. if she has no teeth, she'd really have a tough time with food, wouldn't she?
my kids had only human milk for the first nine months, and they went until the first year with human milk as the vast majority of the source of their nutrituion. it's very normal and natural. she'll eat in good time.
2006-10-17 17:15:51 · answer #3 · answered by cassandra 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They say to let her have her food a little later so that so will accept solids a bit more. Also try to have a bit of a mixture so that the food is a bit lumpy. She will soon take to it.
2006-10-17 17:20:49 · answer #4 · answered by sarell 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some kids don't get their teeth in until close to their first birthday. Try giving Gerber Fruit Puffs. They also have veggie puffs. They disolve in baby's mouth. Give cooked peas, small, well-cooked diced carrots, shredded cheese. I did this with my son at 9 months and he would pick them up and clean his tray
2006-10-17 17:16:48 · answer #5 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter did not get her first tooth until she was 14 months old. We stayed on baby food forever. The only table food she ate was peas and mashed potatoes.
2006-10-17 17:21:32 · answer #6 · answered by christmas 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋