Why won't he eat babyfood anymore?

Question

My friend's 9 month old refuses baby food and only wants to eat "big kid" food now. None of us are understanding it because he only has his two bottom teeth and one upper one, but just wants to be able to chew on his food. Is it okay for him to start on table food this early?

Answer 1

I wouldn't eat that slop from the jars either. (Well, maybe the blueberry, but.)

I am a big fan of this paediatrician's baby-feeding advice, which is, roughly, "My guidelines are: no guidelines!"

"...if the baby reaches for the potato on your plate, make sure it is not too hot, and let him have the potato. There is no need to go in any specific order, and there is no need for the baby to eat only one food for a certain period of time. Some exclusively breastfed babies dislike infant cereal when it is introduced at about six months of age. There is no need for concern and no need to persist if the baby doesn’t want the cereal. There is nothing magic or necessary about infant cereal. Offer your baby the foods that he is interested in. Allow the baby to enjoy food and do not worry exactly how much he actually takes at first. Much of it may end up in his hair and on the floor anyhow. There is no need either that foods be pureed if the baby is six months of age or older. Simple mashing with a fork is all that is necessary at first. You also do not have to be exceedingly careful about how much the baby takes. Why limit the baby to one teaspoon if he wants more? You do not need to waste your money on commercial baby foods."

http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=127&Itemid=170

Keep in mind that "baby food" is a relatively recent invention. Certainly not some sort of necessity.

Answer 2

Eating the same thing all the time would make a person's stomach not to prepare for good at all. The uniform and familiar tastes of baby food is probably not too attractive him.

He could want to eat "big kid" food because he wants to explore the realm hes going to grow up into soon, or emulate "big kids." Older people to babies are like "cool" people. Perhaps "big kids" food is more tastier. I dont think he should eat it yet, unless you make it really small so he doesnt choke. Wait until he has more teeth so its easier to chew. In the mean time, help him prepare for chewing food maybe.

Answer 3

He is starting to develop his taste buds. Have you tried baby food lately. It is NASTY! My son got mostly homemade babyfood from 6 months on. Very little jarred food. He is now 3 and eats almost everything. About 9 months is when they should start having small, soft foods. I put my son in his high chair and put thawed peas (Canned doesn't have as many vitamins), boiled, diced carrots, even shredded cheese. He LOVED it. Mashed potatoes could have been started a couple of months ago. Gerber has a great thing called Fruit and Veggie puffs. They are little stars...kind of like cheerios, but they disolve in baby's mouth. My son still likes these for a snack.

Answer 4

Hi,

I am a 2 yrs old kid father and will have a new family member coming 08 Jan. Due to I had spending altos of time with my 2 yrs kid so all kinds of eating habit started from 3 mths till now, more or less I am experience with. Hope following answer helps.

Basically, a babe start from 3 mths and above able to start with some solid food but not those deep fried stuff and any things that is hard. The solid food I am talking about was rice but wet and soft, fish and vegetable etc. So if your babe like to have big kid food which is all right. But remember must be soft and more watery "wet" not dry and fried, heavy food, less salt if possible "0" salt, even for him/her is as light taste as possible.

But, one thing, did any one from your family did gave your babe big kid food to taste before? If yes, I think your babe right now get the taste of big kid food which he/she like much.

Answer 5

Maybe try him with a few things. Try things that your and your husband will eat too. Mashed potatoes and softly cooked peas that he can pick up with his hands. Let him suck on a rib bone (supervised of course). Ground or minced beef. Soup he can slurp. Fishsticks. Things that can be sucked on. I bet if Mommy and Daddy are eating it too, he will want it.

Theres no rule that says you have to feed him gerber until a certain age. Make extra at dinner and mash it up a bit. Show him how its what Mommy and Daddy are eating too. Its only big kid food if you tell him it is.

Answer 6

That is very young indeed.. AT this age his main nutrition should be formula or mothers milk.
If he likes the food the family eats...you can't give him steak or big long string beans.

You can give him finger food......cherrios....mashed potatoes.
Anything that is soft.
But make sure you don't give him spicey food or honey.
As long as he is getting plenty of milk it is ok for him to not depend on baby food.

Answer 7

My daughter never liked jarred baby foods. We often used our food mill to grind the family's food for her. It was so easy because we didnt' have to prepare anything special.

Answer 8

It's fine. You can dump canned peas, cubed carrots (dice them really small), green beans (again small) right onto his tray and let his gums mash them. I would avoid meats, but you can do fruits and veggies if they're small. Another good option is guacamole (mild, of course) and hummus. They're vitamin packed, mushy, and mom and dad can eat it, too!

Answer 9

It is OK, but be careful he may not gallop the same. Give him to chew, and smear that develop in mouth can only be golloped. This will help in coming out the more teeth fast and healthy.