what's the deal here?

Question

my son is eight months old and doesn't have a single tooth. He will not eat baby food, although will eat off a spoon as long as there is not baby food on it. I mean no cereal, no fruits or vegetables. he will only eat table food like my five year old, but i worry about him choking since he has no teeth, and if it messes with his digestion because he doesn't sleep through the night either! he is like a fountain of drool and steadily rubbing ears and eyes. doc's say it's because he's teething, but i've heard that for 4 mos. already. any suggestions

Answer 1

yup its true he's teething all baby develop differently being very rapidly or very slowly so just be patient and be positive it'll come soon and go with his pace dont try to rush him up that can affect him in the future

Answer 2

He's fine Mom. He probably doesn't like baby food cause it's gross. He also sees what everyone else is eating and wants to be like you. Just make sure the food isn't to hard and it cut into small pieces. Hasn't he ever bit you with his gums hard enough for it to hurt? You would be surprised how well they can chew before they have teeth. I also bet that your son will take forever to cut a single tooth and then one day...Boom! He suddenly has a whole mouth full all at once. That's probably why he's drooling and rubbing his gums so much. He also may not be sleeping well because of teething pain. Check to see if he has an ear infection if you haven't already though.

Don't worry to much. If you raised a 5 year old and he's been pretty safe and healthy then you must be doing something right.

Happy Mommying to you!

Answer 3

Dont be concerned my second one was the same way, I got a baby food grinder and cut up everything in small pieces. If you are breast feeding you can go to herbally yours by penny c royal on the web and get the herbs that make your milk rich and thick and that will help him sleep all night, he may not be getting the proper nutrition to help him sleep. Jens teeth all started to pop out at once which came with a fever and rubbing her ears and eyes alot...a clean piece of leather big enough that they cannot swollow it like a new unfinished leather belt is great if you put numzit or ambisol on it and stick it in the freezer give it to them after it freezes it cuts the teeth through quick and makes it more comfortable for the baby...hope it helps

Answer 4

it take a looooong time for a baby to cut a tooth. my son is almost 8 months and JUST cut his two bottom teeth. i felt like it took FOREVER for them to get here, and then one morning WHAM, there they were!
it's o.k. he's fine. if he doesn't have an ear infection (rubbing ears?) then i'm sure he's just teething and it's just part of the process.
their gums are pretty tough and babies are usually ready for table food around 8-9 months, so he's right on track. in fact, kudos to you guys b/c my son wants nothing to do with table food. he's perfectly content with his bottle...so, there...your son is ahead of my son with eating table food!
as for him choking...he'll be o.k. just make sure the food is in tiny peices and soft enough for him to mash up with his teeth.

as for suggestions...
have your given him zweiback cookies and toast???
my son loves these and although he makes a mess, i love seeing him sit there and gnaw on those things while i make dinner or just hang out. i usually give them to him on bath nights, so he can finish adn then it's off to the tub!
i think they really help work on those gums!

good luck and take care:)

EDIT:
ok that first answerer has no children!
i don't know for sure, but i do know she's wrong about him choking and giving a baby a bowl of baby food and a spoon and letting them have at it is major...i mean, can you IMAGINE the mess???
wow some people amaze me.

Answer 5

My baby didn't get his first 2 teeth until he was 9 months and my friend's baby was the same way. Every child is different. As far as the table food goes, make sure it is mashed or chopped very finely so that he doesn't choke. Babies can mash food w/ their gums you just have to watch them close.

Answer 6

Have you tried mashing the table food? Ever read the ingredients in some of these so called baby foods? Your baby is adapting to his/her common environment. So try setting aside some of the food you are serving before you condiment them so much. serve him some simple mac&cheese or mashed potatoes. table food will not harm him. also, sleeping patterns are altered by a lot of things - not necessarily food, so maybe try to integrate a more steady sleeping routine. maybe that will help.

Answer 7

Theres nothing wrong with him eating table food. Dont give it to him on a spoon though, let him feed himself...

They don't chew with thier teeth at that age, they use thier back gums.

He may gag a little, but it doesn't mean hes choking, just readjusting his gag reflex.

Answer 8

My daughter never got her first tooth until she was almost a year old! Will he eat table food if you puree it in the blender first? That's all baby food really is......pureed "regular" food without salt or additives. You could give him yogurt, mashed-up eggs, applesauce, etc.

Answer 9

What does his pediatrician say? That's whose opinion really counts. Just make sure he is drinking a lot to stay hydrated (won't hurt to give him Pedalyte) mashed potatoes are okay and he should not choke on them (you can even mix baby food in with it). Do your baby a favor and talk with your pediatrician

Answer 10

puree your food only if you cook it all by yourself. My daughter didn't get her first teeth through till she was 13 months old where my son got his at 1 month and my baby was born with one poking through. Kids are different. If you make the food mushy and soggy you won't kill your child ignore those remarks. Like thier kid never had nothing inappropriete.