My 15 month old does not chew eats only pureed foods?

Question

She does have abouit eight teeth, but gags on more solid foods
I try giving her soft chees which she bites and chews a little with her front teeth
In addition she bites into puffs about 2 to 3 and she chews with her front teeth
She really doesn't have the concept of chewing with her gums
I also puree her stage 3 jars
Any ideas?

Answer 1

See if your pediatrician can refer you to a feeding specialist. Also, if you are giving her milk in bottles do not do so - she's old enough for a sippy cup or a cup with a straw. Too much milk can make her lazy in not wanting to chew with her teeth.

Also, try eating in front of her and make sounds as how "good" and "yummy" it is. Stop pureeing - and stop feeding her out of jars (she's not a pet dog).

Answer 2

It's pretty normal for her to gag actually. Both my kids did it. Part of it is that they have to learn to tolerate how textures feel on their tongue and they have to learn how to move the food around in their mouths. For example, you put some food in her mouth on a spoon....she needs to learn to move it to the side and chew it (or gum it if she has no molars). When you first put the food in if it is too far back on her tongue she will automatically retch to get it off the back of the tongue. Don't puree the stage 3s.........give her very small bites on a baby spoon...try to put the food off to one side in her mouth. Try little tiny pieces of cut up (not mashed) bannanas, cottage cheese, etc. She needs to practice chewing w/ her gums. Avoid hunks of bread and meat until she gets better at breaking food down w/ her gums. Make sure to mention this at your next Dr. visit as some kids have oral aversion or swallowing problems and may need to have a swallow study done or see a speech therapist or occupational therapist.

Answer 3

Stop pureeing things. If she's not exposed to more solid foods, she'll never get it through her head that she has to chew. My 15 month old is cutting some of his back teeth, and is used to trying to swallow things. He eventually learned that he has to chew things now, so unless it's bananas, he chews now. Takes forever to feed him.

Answer 4

Have you tried solid foods that are soft? such as pasta, baked potatoes, or rice?
If not...try it. she needs to get use to table foods. if you keep pureeing her food, she will never learn. but of course make it something she wont choke on!
it is just like walking...they need to learn the different textures of food to adjust to the chewing regimen that goes with it!

Answer 5

My 6 month old eats solid foods...you need to stop babying her. Give her Zwieback toast, banana, cooked carrots, canned peas...unless there is something else wrong she can do these things just fine. Most kids by 15 months can feed themselves whole meals. You are just going to have to stop feeding her, she'll figure it out :)

OK since someone gave me a thumbs down...I'll provide a source for my info, taken straight from babycenter.com:

When should I introduce finger foods?
When your baby's between 7 and 9 months old, he'll probably let you know that he's ready to start feeding himself — by grabbing the spoon you're feeding him with or snatching food off your plate.

At first, your baby may just rake food into his hand and bring it to his mouth, but eventually he'll figure out how to use his thumb and forefinger to pick up food. This fine motor skill milestone is called the pincer grasp.

How should I introduce the finger food?
Simply scatter four or five pieces of finger food onto your baby's highchair tray or an unbreakable plate. You can add more as your baby eats them.

Feeding your baby in a highchair rather than in a car seat or stroller will reduce the risk of choking and teach him that a highchair is the place to eat
Which foods make the best finger foods?
Your baby may have a good appetite, but he probably doesn't have many teeth, so start with foods that he can gum or that will dissolve easily in his mouth. As he grows into a toddler, you'll be able to give him bite-size pieces of whatever you're eating.

Remember that your baby's learning about food's texture, color, and aroma as he feeds himself, so try to offer him a variety. The food should be easy to handle but not present a choking hazard. And be sure to choose food that's appropriate for his age.

Here's a list of finger food favorites:
• O-shaped toasted oat cereal or other low-sugar cereal

• Lightly toasted bread or bagels (spread with vegetable puree for extra vitamins)

• Small chunks of banana or other very ripe peeled and pitted fruit, like mango, plum, pear, peach, cantaloupe, or seedless watermelon

• Small cubes of tofu

• Well-cooked pasta spirals, cut into pieces

• Very small chunks of cheese

• Chopped hard-boiled egg (after 12 months)

• Cut-up raisins, softened dried apricots, or stewed prunes

• Small pieces of well-cooked vegetables, like carrots, peas, zucchini, potato, or sweet potato

• Small well-cooked broccoli or cauliflower "trees"

• Pea-size pieces of cooked chicken or other soft meat

• Rice cakes or crackers broken into small pieces

Answer 6

This is definitely a question for your daughter's pediatrician. I would schedule an appointment and see what the doc recommends. It might be a dev delay, but only a pediatrician can tell you that.

Answer 7

I think you should lay off pureeing everything....try softer foods and let her work on those....you may want to talk to your dr too

Answer 8

Check with your MD just to rule out developmetal delays.

Answer 9

See your doctor to discuss.