how do i start on lumpy foods?

Hi all i have a 5 1/2 month old little boy who has been on solids since he was 3 months old. I am now trying to get him to eat fork mashed and slightly lumpy foods but all he does is gag, and then screams (it obviously scares him?) i cannot get him to eat another mouthful until i change the food over to the pureed type. He is chewing his teething rusks and absolutly loves them he has even chewed off a piece and managed fine with it (to my shock horror).
Is there a way to get him onto lumpy foods without him freaking out and then refusing it all toegther?.
Any suggestions will be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance

Aleks and Dawson 5 1/2 mnths

I haven't any suggestions sorry, but maybe he's just a bit too young for lumpy stuff yet. Even though he's been on solids for quite a while, he might not have developed enough to be on lumpy foods just yet. I'd say just leave him on puree for the moment, and then try again with fork mashed in a week or two, and if it's still not working just wait a bit longer.
I think lumpy foods normally start around eight months or so? I can't really remember, but I'm not far behind you, we've just been giving solids a go with my 4month old the past few days, in the hope that I might fill her up enough to make her sleep all night!
Anyway, hope this helped a little,
Georgina

Hiya,

I am not going to be of much help here either, as my son is the same, but he is 15 months. I have tried the 6 month jars and tins but he just gags and spits it out. He even pulls faces when he has strawberry yoghurt, and he gets a bit of soggy strawberry.

My daughter was the same and still has troubles eating a lot of normal adult food. Slowly but surely she is getting there, and now will eat chicken nuggets, she is 3.

I think they have both developed my gag reflex, and can't stand unusal things in their mouths.

Any ideas anyone????

Tepe

Hi Girls

I think the trick is to gradually make the puree thicker. My child health nurse says she sees too many toddlers who refuse to eat normal meals, but will happily take a biscuit or chips. Obviously if they can manage with something as hard as chips or biscuits they could try at diced vegies or something!
You cant blame them though.... they've got us wrapped around their little fingers smile

Hi,
I actually read today that a baby cant swallow lumpy food until they are at least 7 months because they havent reached that developmental stage of swallowing without gagging. My advise is to wait until they are ready for lumpy foods. My daughter is 7 and a half months and has been on pureed food since 5 months and we are just now starting to progress to soft lumps or mashed.
Good Luck

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