Is your baby or toddler gagging on foods all of a sudden? Does your toddler chew food and spit it out? Or, your baby won’t put food in their mouth? Find out what’s normal and what’s not from a pediatric occupational therapist.
One of the most popular reasons parents find their way to Your Kid’s Table is because their baby or toddler isn’t eating baby food, table food, or both. Obviously, this is a huge area of concern for parents.
These refusals are usually a red flag that something deeper is going on with their eating, and if it isn’t addressed, it could lead to long years of picky eating and feeding difficulties that causes the whole family stress.
I’ve helped so many families of 2, 4, 6, 8, or even 12 year olds that are in a really desperate spot, and one of the first questions I ask (even for a 12 year old) is, “How did they transition to table foods?”
It gives me a clue as to how eating got so out of control! Because if a baby or toddler gagged a lot or started to all of a sudden, or if they refused to eat, it’s a sign that they have some difficulties that have caused challenging mealtimes for years.
I really want to help parents like you avoid that!
Let’s talk about 8 different feeding red flags for babies and young toddlers and what you can do to help your child.
8 Feeding Red Flags for Babies and Toddlers
#1. Baby Refuses Baby Food
Not all babies love the mushy pureed stuff, and many don’t gobble it down jar after jar the way other babies do. But, when a baby consistently refuses, and even becomes upset when presented with baby food, it is usually a red flag that there may be some sensory sensitivity.
While babies don’t need to eat baby food and can focus on table foods, it’s important for them to learn to tolerate using a spoon and eat purees like yogurt, soup, and applesauce as they get older.
Head to my baby won’t eat solids to learn a step-by-step plan to help your baby eat pureed baby food!
#2. Baby Refuses Table Food
Often, when babies refuse pureed foods, logically, parents will start trying table foods. In fact, that is just what I would recommend. However, if a baby is refusing pureed foods because of the mushy texture, they also may not be too keen on bananas or avocados.
Or, some babies love baby food, but want nothing to do with table food. There’s a way to help babies and toddlers transition to finger foods.
I always recommend starting with a dry and crunchy melt-able like baby puffs. If a baby is steadily refusing those and all other foods, then that is a clear indication that something else is going on.
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#3. Baby or toddler gags at sight, touch, taste of baby food or table food repeatedly
Some gagging when touching or trying new foods is normal, but if your baby or toddler does this every time, then it’s a strong indicator that they are sensitive to different textures. Or, yes, it’s possible your toddler gags at the sight of food alone.
This is because they’re imagining what that texture is going to taste or feel like.
It’s important (and very possible) to work with your child in a slow, but steady pace to help them desensitize to the textures that causing them to gag. Get an entire guide to toddler and baby gagging. You’ll find tips for how to move past it.
#4. Gags, spits food out, or seems to choke repeatedly when trying to chew or swallow food
There’s a difference between gagging when first interacting with a food and gagging when trying to eat.
Gagging or spitting food out after the baby has started eating tends to indicate that a baby may be having difficulty coordinating the actions of chewing and/or swallowing. These are called their oral motor skills.
Some babies and toddlers need help learning to chew.
At the same time, some babies won’t gag or spit out, but they’ll just hold onto the food, letting it sit in their mouth because they don’t know what to do with it or don’t want to swallow. This is called pocketing food.
#5. Baby or Toddler is only interested in nursing or bottle feeding at 8 months old or later
By 8 months old, at the very latest, babies should be showing some interest in some type of food (puree, soft table foods, or crunchy foods). If they don’t, despite repeated attempts, you would want to consider they have a texture sensitivity, oral motor difficulty, or a possible medical issue like food allergies, silent reflux, or a tongue tie, to name a few.
Make sure you talk to your pediatrician and see a pediatric GI to rule out any physical difficulties you might not be aware of.
#6. Baby or toddler won’t feed themselves with their fingers and/or spoon or fork
Sometimes, children aren’t able to coordinate the action of using a spoon or fork. Of course, I don’t expect a 6 month old to be able to feed themselves much, but they should be attempting to finger feed at a minimum.
When a child at 6, 9, or 14 months old refuses to feed themselves with fingers or utensils, it’s a red flag that they either can’t coordinate the movement required or that they’re too sensitive to textures so they’re avoiding getting messy or having utensils in their mouth.
Either way, you can learn how to teach your child to feed themself.
#7. Only will eat when watching a screen or other distractions
If a young baby or toddler is only able to eat by being distracted by a tablet, TV, phone, or a parent standing on their head trying to entertain them, then they again are lacking the intrinsic motivation to eat, which can happen for a variety of reasons. (See the big 5 reasons babies and toddler’s won’t eat.)
It’s a big bright red flag that something more is going on. Older toddlers and children can fall into this pattern for other reasons, but babies that have never been fed successfully another way, often need help to address the root of the problem.
Again, this is often underlying medical issues, sensory sensitivities, and/or oral motor difficulties.
#8. Doesn’t mouth on toys or chew on found items
I often hear from parents, “I thought it was so great that my baby never put anything in his mouth.”
On the surface, that does seem awesome, but there is a reason babies do that. It desensitizes their mouth to different textures, helps build their jaw, tongue, and lip muscles needed for eating, and they get to practice chewing. If your child never did this and has one of the other red flags, it is likely that there are some underlying difficulties.
Busted Myths About Babies and Toddlers Eating…
Myth #1: My baby isn’t eating because they don’t have teeth
If I had a dollar for every time I heard a parent say their child isn’t eating because they don’t have any teeth yet…. Well, you know how the rest goes! I hear this a lot, and I know that seems like good logic, but I want to shout from the roof tops: Babies and toddlers don’t need teeth to eat successfully.
Really, I’m not kidding!
Think about the first teeth babies get, which is anywhere from 6-14 months old. They are the front teeth. We don’t use our front teeth to chew, and babies shouldn’t be either. Their gums are strong and they should be chewing on them, right where their molars will be. It could be a year later before those molars come in.
Of course, the gums aren’t strong enough to chew steak or raw carrots, that’s why we don’t give those foods to babies.
Otherwise, babies and young toddlers were designed to eat successfully at meals without teeth.
Other foods they shouldn’t eat because they don’t have a teeth and are a choking hazard are:
- nuts
- lettuce
- popcorn
- other tough meats
- most other raw veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and celery
They need teeth and more advanced chewing skills to manage all of those foods. Other than those tough foods and a few choking hazards like grapes and hotdogs, babies are able to eat a wide variety of foods without teeth.
Myth #2: They will grow out of it
I hear this A LOT too! But, it’s not from the parents of babies that are under 15 months old. It is from the parents of 2, 5, 8 year olds plus.
While some parents do arrive at this conclusion on their own because they honestly didn’t know what else to do, sadly, most of the time, parents had a gut feeling something more was going on, but their pediatrician told them, “Don’t worry, she is healthy, she’ll grow out of it.”
I’m not trying to knock pediatrician’s here, they are amazing and I have had the privilege of working with some amazing ones, both personally and professionally. Unfortunately, many receive very little advanced training in feeding difficulties that aren’t causing medical problems or weight loss.
If you see one of these signs, do some research, push for help, or tap into our resources here so you can be supported!
When it’s Time to Get Professional Help
Generally speaking, if your child has two or more of the red flags listed above, I would highly recommend getting a feeding evaluation, which is usually completed by OT’s (like myself) or speech and language pathologists. However, in a lot of cases, only one of these red flags is enough to warrant an evaluation.
If your baby is not eating any foods by 9 months of age or no table foods by 11 months of age, I would also strongly encourage a feeding evaluation.
More importantly though, if you feel like you don’t know how to help your child and something in your gut is telling you that there’s more going on, then get some help. You will be glad you did.
*Please keep in mind that babies born prematurely or present with developmental disabilities may be on a different timeline. Also, every child is unique and this information is tended to be a guide for parents to make decisions about potential interventions to help their child. If you still aren’t sure if your child needs more help, leave a comment below.
Where to Get Eating Help for Your Baby or Toddler
We specialize in helping babies and toddlers eat well. It’s so important to address it sooner than later because the older a child gets, the more ingrained the challenges become.
We have an online program designed for babies and toddlers struggling to eat table foods called Table Food School and another one for picky eaters called Mealtime Works. Plus, we have two free workshops:
- Click here for a free workshop to help babies and toddlers learn to eat table foods
- Click here to a free workshop to help picky eaters (toddlers and older)
If you’re in the states, you can also look into early intervention. What’s covered varies by state, but the evaluation is often free for kids 0-3 years old. Feeding therapy may also be an option. Check with your individual insurance company first to schedule at a private clinic, outpatient facility, or children’s hospital.
Learn to Eat Table Foods Printable for Babies and Toddlers
Want some concrete tips in your hand right now? I have a free printable that will help give you some direction and ease your worries. It’s for parents that are struggling to get your toddler or baby to eat table foods. I’ll send it right to your inbox:
Grab the Free When Babies Won’t Eat Table Foods FAQ Sheet right here!
More on Babies and Toddlers Eating
8 Tips for Nursing Moms Returning to Work With a Baby That Won’t Take A Bottle!
The Best 9 Month Old Baby Food + Table Food Ideas!
How to Teach Your Baby to Chew
Feeding Milestones for Babies and Toddlers
Alisha Grogan is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Your Kid’s Table. She has over 19 years experience with expertise in sensory processing and feeding development in babies, toddlers, and children. Alisha also has 3 boys of her own at home. Learn more about her here.
Hello! I need some help or a clue. My toddler is now 17 months old. We have a hard time feeding him regular purées or regular table food. When he was 4 months and could sit up by himself, we tried him on purées for a while up until he was 7 months but he never took to the purées and would get angry about it when we tried to feed it to him. He would only eat about 5 to 7 small bites. At 7 months I started trying to feed him soft table foods because I thought maybe he would like it better but that wasn’t the case either. He has eaten a few cheerios, a few small pieces of chicken meat and gummed a piece of ham as an infant but nothing significant. We often can’t get him to repeat the behaviors. When we try to offer him foods he will refuse to touch or eat it and he walks away or just leaves it there as if he is grossed out. He chews on toys and lots of non-edible things like hair, paper, dirt, grass, bugs, etc and sometimes he will eat old stale food that he finds in a corner somewhere. I’ve been pureeing his food and putting it into a bottle and I have to make sure it’s not too thick or have lumps in it or he won’t eat it. He doesn’t qualify for feeding therapy through our insurance at this moment because he checked off everything on their list and ate two bites of food for the lady. Have you ever heard of this before? I need some advice. Thanks in advance!
Hi Lanee,
This is more common than you think but there are definitely things that you can work on. Have you done our table food workshop? I ask this because it’s a bit of a foundation for understanding the components of solids. But it sounds like sensory processing is a big part, so I’d also start with some oral sensory activities to help. Happy to answer questions as you check out these resources!
Best,
Laura
Your Kid’s Table team member
I went through this with toddlers introduced food slowly no worries they will eat when they get hungry,and slowly introduce tiny bites of a food they are eating
Hunger is definitely helpful, but it is important to pay attention to any underlying causes to picky eating which these 8 red flags are helpful for identifying. Unfortunately many kids will not simply eat when hungry and need a bit of extra support along the way! But yes, variety and introduction of it is very helpful for most kids!
Best,
Laura
Your Kid’s Table team member
Hi! Thank you so much for this helpful content! My son is 11 months old. He does not put anything to his mouth at all but will take anything we put in his mouth. He does gag a lot while eating and sometimes gags so much that he vomits. He doesn’t really gag on stage one or two foods but does on stage 3 or table foods mashed. He does have acid reflux and has had milk protein problems. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for reading. Have you read this article on gagging? This sounds like sensory and possibly oral motor issues going on, but that post is a great place to start, and you will find some next steps within it.
Best,
Laura
Your Kid’s Table team member
Hi! My 10 month old is having a hard time adjusting to table foods. He can’t eat purees past stage 1 without gagging. He recoils at the touch of table foods. He has also gagged so hard he’s vomited on any solid we’ve tried thus far. He will pick up small pieces of food, but will not attempt to put it in his mouth. Same goes for things he finds. For example, he will chew on teethers and large toys, but if he finds a small piece of paper let’s say, he won’t try to put that in his mouth. Which is nice, but as he’s my 4th child, I know it’s not the norm. I’m thinking this may require some sort of OT/Feeding therapy. Would I be off the mark there?
Thank you so much.
Hi Sammy,
Definitely doesn’t hurt to seek a referral especially when he would qualify for early intervention. I do not think you’re off the mark with this concern, and at this age they can progress really well! In the meantime, if you haven’t already, check out our free workshop on table foods that can give you a starting point.
Best,
Laura
Your Kid’s Table team member
Hi there, I have a 15 months old who was diagnosed with a tongue and lip tie at 13 months. We did the release right away. We have since tried to work on improving his oral motor skills. I can see that he has difficulties with chewing and swallowing as he will put food in his mouth, chew a few times and then spit it out. This happens often, however I know he is also able to swallow food other times. How can we desensitize and build his oral motor skills at this age ? He was never huge with chewing toys. Is he too early to use a tooth brush as mentioned by others above ? Also are we able to consult you privately and get OT services ? Thanks so much !
Hi Maya,
I’m glad you found us. Start with this article on building oral motor skills to see if it helps. It is definitely not too early to use a tooth brush or nuk brush- these can both help immensely.
Unfortunately there are rules and regulations on providing private services across state lines so private consult is no longer available, but if you explore our webpage we have many free resources, and several paid classes as well that have access to more specific help. Feel free to comment any questions here and I can direct you to appropriate resources.
Best,
Laura
Your Kid’s Table team member
Hey my girl is 8months she was diagnosed with pnemonia and since then she stopped swallowing solids she stuff in mouth and cry ave been to hospital to try get help but the medicine have not helped she can only breastfeed without problems lately she had oral thrush n still cannot swallow only one or two spoon n start crying
Hi Jackline, this can be very stressful, especially when there is a medical reason for feeding difficulties. Fortunately she is still breastfeeding well and at her age has a lot of time to build these skills. Read this article on helping build skills for table foods and see if it helps. Don’t lose heart!
Best,
Laura, Your Kid’s Table team member
Hello, my 2 year old son will not self feed and I have tried everything. You are the first website that actually had one of those listed and said there is more to it than just teaching them and I think that is true, I just don’t know where to begin.
Hi Dee,
Will he eat when fed by someone else? Or not eating much at all? Have you taken our free workshop on eating table foods? If you haven’t I highly suggest starting there. I am happy to continue to help if you try that and have questions!
Best,
Laura
Your Kid’s Table team member
Hey! I hope you are doing well. I really want some of your guidance and help regarding my 2 year old baby girl. She has done breast feeding and have always refused bottle so I have only breastfed her for about an year. After she turned 6 month old I started giving her purees and she was very much into purees so she was having different purees 3 times a day and a snack which was also a puree. But now she is 2 years old and still cannot swallow any chunk if I give her. I don’t have any idea what to do now how to make her chew and eat and do not vomit all the food she had earlier. If I will not give her puree food which is usually a cup full amount at a time then she would not ask for anything for about 7-8 hours or take anything in her mouth. What should I do should I suddenly leave all the puree and start giving her soft food? She gags and vomit everything if a little chunks goes into her mouth. She doesn’t even want to touch her food never touch anything which is sticky slimy or thick consistency. I do not want her to become weak that is the only reason I made her eat the way she wanted. She also eats when she is watching something. I have to spoon feed her and only smooth purees nothing else. She is not transitioning it. Help me please. How to transition her along with maintaining baby’s weight.
Hi Komal! Thanks for reaching out. There is definitely no need to fully stop purees until she learns the skills of chewing. But I would start exposing her to different textures so she can work on this. Start here, and if you search in the blog search bar, there are a few other articles on starting solids. Let us know how it goes, we do have further resources, but this is a great start.
Best,
Laura, Your Kid’s Table team member
Hi! I’m getting really worried about my 10 month old. Some meals he eats his purée absolutely fine, other times he cries at the sight of it and flat out refuses. He only has about 21oz of milk a day so he’s not filling up on it. My main concern however is that he absolutely will not put any food in his own mouth. He will put a spoon in his mouth and chew on it but only if there’s no food on it. He will put toys ect in his mouth but not food. If I try to put food to his mouth he will turn away and sometimes get really upset.
There are also times where he is clearly crying because he’s hungry but he’ll refuse food but then drink down a bottle fine.
How concerned should I be?
Hi Emma, I know this can be stressful. Does he have any preferred toys that you can put the smallest amount of food on? It’s a good sign that he’s putting things in his mouth, but I wonder if you could ease into it. If you have food sitting out in various presentations, does he interact with the food at all, like touching, etc? If you haven’t already, check out this article on transitioning to table foods and see if it helps: https://yourkidstable.com/how-to-transition-your-baby-or-toddler/
Best,
Laura, Your Kid’s Table team member
Hi Julie, very informative blog I must say.
I have an 11M old and she is not able to swallow solids, can drink formula or water and also purees, hummus, yogurt but 99% of the solid comes out from her mouth as if she doesn’t know how to swallow or has fear of gagging/choking. We have been asking our pediatrician this since she was 8months old and finally at 10month appointment, she referred us to feeding therapist.
We did and evaluation last week and as you mentioned one of the red flag was she doesn’t put anything in her mouth (toy or anything lying on the floor). We have been asked to desensitize her mouth using a electric oral stimulator and practice chewing using chewy tube. Also brush her teeth and gums twice a day. Reduced her formula intake to 22oz and she is offered solids first and followed by formula with the gap of 30min. And today we are going for her first therapy session
She can eat with her hands or with spoon (little help) and likes to eat solid food – no problem there at all. we dont turn on screen or any distractions so she can eat. Its just seating us in front of her and talking to her. She used to gag sometimes when seeing new food but not anymore.
How serious this problem is ? Will it gradually get better if desensitize her mouth and do chewing exercise ? Is there anything else that we are missing or could improve on? We feel so anxious specially during meal times but try not to show her that. I don’t know when we will see the light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Hi Mona! Thanks for reaching out! Try not to stress, children can definitely sense that energy and feed off of it. You are doing an amazing job! Take one day at a time. It is fantastic that you have already started feeding therapy, therefore, you are already getting a jumpstart on this issue. Without addressing the problem, issues like this only get worse. But with continued therapy and gradual desensitization, it can definitely get better and significantly improve! Keep doing what you’re doing, and with time, she should be able to eat without difficulty. You are not alone! If you ever need additional information, check out our free table food workshop.
Best,
Kalyn
Alisha,
I am a preschool special needs teacher. I have done this for 23 years and still love it. I am always learning new ways to help these little loves. I believe COVID really did a number on parents watching of children and seeing that they need help. I’m bursting at the seems with 12 babies.
My current research is on a little 3 years old boy. I have had him for all this year. He only makes vowel sounds and puts food in the back of his mouth to eat it, except gummies. Gummies are like addiction for this guy. You can not reinforce others with them without him crying that he isn’t getting one. He will tear the thin ones I am currently ecstatic if I get imitationa with extensions of himself such a sticks or puppets.
Nothing bilabial. He will watch me do lots of things when my lips come together
INTENSELY, but he will not put his on lips together and make a sound. HELP!
My child used to eat between 8 -10 months but now he has stopped at 15 month i.e., from 10 -15 months , he being fed and force fed.
Whenever he is hungry he only wants to munch on snacks which he asks from other members of family and mostly learns from his 5 yr old sister. He has an appetite but does eat what we offers easily and we end up feeding him forcibly, so once he is full he is happy else he cranks.
if I decide to follow 3 keys and not to force the food primarily, how do I
make sure he is full and happy. if dont allow others to feed him , how he will full if he is not on his own at all or even with just 2 -3 bites ?
Hi Shrut! It is very important not to force-feed. The more we pressure children to eat, they often push back and do the opposite. You decide what your child eats and your child decides how much. Try implementing a feeding schedule, where you offer food every 2-3hrs; breakfast (2-3hrs), snack (2-3hrs), lunch (2-3hrs), snack (2-3hrs), dinner. During those 2-3hr gaps, only offer water. This will hopefully allow your child to feel hungry enough to want to eat more than a few bites at mealtime. Hope that helps!
Best,
Kalyn
Hi, my son who was born 2/22/22 is going on 1 yrs old and around Xmas time he started gagging more so then often (has a few teeth and is still teething) and then one taste of mashed potatoes on xmas day he projectile vomited. He had surgery on Dec 30th and was put under for little more than circumcision and I was really stressed about the gagging as I started to think my he got somthing stuck in his throat. I het him checked a day before, they said he was fine. Fast forward to healing time weeks later still gagging alot to the point where formula would hit his tongue and it was like he was choking. See Dr and said try gentlease only which he was already on but die to the shortage we had to get the same form but other brands. We try just that for a few weeks it calmed down ate baby food fine and the gaging slowed. It came back a little stronger, switch formula again and he was fine but now it seems the little foods he’s eating that he liked as soon as it hit his tongue he’s back to gag/choking (not in his mouth food just touched toungue) and now projectile vomiting more so now. Now it seems almost everything except he’s still drinking similac sensitive and eating his cereal puffs with himgers and shows interest in food with no problem, now present week shoving all food away and even gave medicine and projectile vomited again. The drs say his tonsils are big but even tho I’m pushing for an allergy test and maybe tonsils removed they’re not really taking what I say seriously. He is my 5th child and I habe stomach ulcers and Gerd and had to take stomach meds while pregnant and im concerned as he’s not progressing food wise as he should be. No fevers no other symptoms is happy after throwing up its mind blowing. I try teething wafers which melt just like puffs and he enjoys a few minites eating himself as I watch and then suddenly vomiting. I am at my wots end as I do not know what to do except for keep pushing for the drs to do somthing and keep trying. He is ahead on motor skills and even in height and weight which is common on my side as my family is very tall and that’s exactly how they were. If I can get any feedback or advice I would greatly appreciate it bc I feel so sad for my poor baby as he’s missing out and I’m afraid his forst birthday he won’t even be able to enjoy his baby safe made cake among other things. Also I have tried tummy meds, soy milk, 2 percent the only thing that’s next is whole milk but he just doesn’t seem interested as even warming bottles was useless bc he would refuse to drink them. Thank you to whoever took the time to read this I appreciate your time, Jessica.
Hi Jessica! Thanks for reaching out and sharing your journey- so sorry it’s been so stressful for you! I assure you, you are not alone in this. First, if you feel like your son’s doctors are not listening to you or your concerns, definitely try to find a new doctor. It’s so important for you and your son to feel cared for and important. Plus, second opinions can be very helpful! It sounds like he has some sensory/gag issues, for sure. Try some oral motor exercises to work out those mouth muscles and desensitize his gag reflex. Things like: brushing the sides of his mouth with a toothbrush, chewing on teethers, licking popsicles, blowing raspberries, and demonstrating chewing (making over-exaggerated chewing motions, showing him how you eat/chew/swallow). For more help, I highly encourage our free table food workshop, which walks through teaching baby how to progress with solids. Save your seat here!
Best,
Kalyn
Maybe try getting him OFF of Similac! Similac is the worst formula you can give. Please read about Similac, it’s not good. Please look into Hipp formula which you can get from Switzerland, it’s 100% European organic, non GMO. You can order online and believe it or not, they are pretty quick on shipping! My sister and I both had babies born in 2022 as well and this formula has been the best by far for both of them.
Please give it a try, as I’m sure baby will be very pleased. Good luck!! I hope your baby gets better soon! 🙂
That’s bullshit. There’s something else going on with thus child. Similac has nothing to do with the problem. It could be sensory issues. Don’t be so narrow minded.
My son easily stopped bottle feeding and started baby food went from stage 1 to 3 gaged and vomited on couple things but ate the others no problem then I started to puree table food same thing gaged and or vomiting on a couple things then went to some finger foods and few fine chopped up food and continued the gaging and vomiting and started to refuse to eat anything new and slowly started to refuse to eat the stuff he liked before getting agitated and very upset even crying at the slightest attempt to get to eat even holding something out in your hand and asking “do you want some” is answered with a very firm “no” while also swiping it away even if i sneak and try to wipe a little bit on his lips for a small taste in hopes to convince him to try it he starts
crying, gags, and or vomits the only thing he will eat is cool ranch dorritos, gold fish, sliced cheese, grapes, fruit snacks, and candy ive talked to my pediatrician she said at first to try not giving him those things and only give him other things at feeding times and if he didn’t eat let him go hungry for a day because he wouldn’t starve himself and would eventually eat what i set infront of him i tried this for the whole day and he refused to eat anything when it became time for bed i gave in and gave him the foods he would eat before bed time because i refused to let him go to bed hungry I went back to the pediatrician and explaind to her i could not bring myself to let my child go to sleep hungry because I personally felt it would be abusive to let him go all day without eating then going all night hungry then she said ” as long as he continues to gain and stay at a healthy weight that it was nothing to worry about and he would correct it on his own and that I should give him a extra vitamin supplement everyday but he is almost 3 years old now and still nothing has changed and I and beginning to become very worried something more might be going on and at what point could this effect his overall health
Hi Nate, this can be very stressful. Have you taken our free eating webinar? You can sign up and watch at your own convenience and it may really help to build a strategy for increasing foods. Sign up here.
Best,
Laura
Your Kid’s Table team member
Hello!
For the past two weeks my 13 month old son refuses to eat, even his favorite foods. I try literally everything! He will pick her and there but won’t really eat. Sometimes I will give him something and he immediately pushes it away. I know he is teething a bit but this is lasting long I feel like. He’s never done this before. He has all of the red flags except 1. What can I do??? 🙁
Update: I meant a to say he has all red flags except 3.
Hi Kelly! Thanks for reaching out! We understand how hard this can be! I’d first be trying to get him to touch and interact with the food, it can be really helpful. Also, brushing his gums/teeth with a toothbrush can help with any gagging or sensory sensitivities. We also have a free table foods workshop that offers more tips and information- save your seat here!
Best,
Kalyn
Hello, my now 3yr old son has been in speech therapy and behavior therapy for sensory. They stop helping at the age of 3 but my mom gut tells me he needs to be seen by someone. My son eats off any utensils using just his teeth and won’t touch it with his lips. He hardly feeds himself and we have to feed him. Who should I see about this?
Hi Megan! Thanks for reaching out! What you described definitely sounds sensory related! It’s great that he’s currently working with speech/behavior therapy. For continued therapy, which would help with his feeding struggles, we’d recommend an Occupational Therapist! You can always ask your pediatrician for a referral. In the meantime, we have a blog post with some feeding tips that may help- check it out here!
Best,
Kalyn
My 10month old pushes food from his mouth using his tongue. If i feed him while he sits he hardly takes food inside so i hv to make him lie down at 60degree angle to feed him so that he swallows. Even he doesn’t mouth toys or shows interest in food.
Hi Kusha! Thanks for reaching out! We recommend feeding upright at a 90 degree angle, as to prevent any choking. If he is refusing solids, it could be that he has some sensory/oral motor issues that he needs more practice with. For sensory, allow him to touch/feel/play with his food. Utilize a no-pressure environment, where you don’t force him to eat anything. For his oral motor skills, try using a baby toothbrush to brush the insides of his mouth. This will help desensitize his gag reflux and strengthen his oral muscles, which is what he uses to chew/swallow solids. We have another post here with more information.
Best,
Kalyn
Hello can anyone offer some advice??
Little guy is 19 months old and we have a speech therapist AND an OT. When they come over really so they do is chat with me and talk to him…. like seriously is that all speech therapists and OT do?
Little guy has serious aversion to ALL dairy and was behind with words/ pronunciation.
and the speech therapist just tries to give him a smoothie and when he refuses and just smiles and says “yeah he doesn’t want it. ”
I’m mad that they’re both getting paid tons just to come and talk to each other and chat with me and little guy. We don’t need paid friends we need help. He refuses ALL dairy, is breastfed, and has always had swallowing/gagging/ choking problems.
Please point me in the right direction!!
Hey Kylene, Thanks for reaching out. No, that is definitely not all OTs and SLPs do. It sounds like you might be in Early Intervention and them coming to your home? I would have a conversation with them about what are their goals, what should you be working on during the week. They should be able to provide you with those basic questions, and if they aren’t providing you different ideas, or have suggestions to help, I would talk to your coordinator and possibly ask for new therapists (it’s for sure your right to find a good fit), but always take the opportunity to see if they can explain what they are doing. I know Early Intervention has moved to a coaching model (so the therapists are more hands off, but should be coaching you on what to do!) Hope that helps, but if you have more questions, feel free to reach out!
Desiree
Amazing Product
Hi,
My baby is 9months old. I started feeding him puree when he is about 5months. Recently, i have been trying to let him feed himself. However, i noticed that he barely touch his food. If he does, he just played with it, squish it, feel it. He doesn’t put it in his mouth. He actually likes to eat. He gets excited when i put food in his tray. He gets irritated if i didn’t spoon-feed him. He eats when i feed him. Is it something to worry? Or will he sooner or later learn to feed himself?
Hello, did you get any help with this as my son is doing exactly the same at 10 months?
Hi there! Thanks for reaching out! Transitioning to solids can be fun, yet stressful! Keep practicing and letting your baby touch/feel/play with their food- this will help them become familiar and more comfortable with different textures, which is great for sensory sensitivities. It is okay to spoon feed your baby, but it’s also important to try having your baby practice their pincer grasp and try using baby utensils. Try pre-loading a baby spoon with some puréed food and leaving it on their tray for them to pick up and bring to their mouth. You can also try demonstrating to your baby how you’re eating, making sure to over-exaggerate all your eating motions. We also have a free workshop available that helps to transition your baby to table foods. Save your seat here!
Best,
Kalyn
Hi. Our adopted 9 almost 10 year old is still having issues with food. He doesn’t like to eat, he doesn’t eat snacks, he takes forever to eat when he does, and he chews in the front or on the sides not in the back. What can we do to help, because searching online it almost seems impossible.
Hey Tara!
Thanks for reaching out! That sounds challenging! It might be helpful to place a mirror in front of him and practice with him chewing on his back teeth. You can also stick out your tongue and make all kinds of funny faces for “exercise” too. Tongue movement can play a big part in chewing! Our picky eating workshop is full of other ideas that would be helpful in encouraging him to eat more foods. You can save your seat HERE.
I hope that helps!
Best,
Andrea
Hi my baby is 12 Month old he used to enjoy his food a lot but these days he doesn’t eat properly and when i try to feed him he gags whatever i feed and after sometime he coughs and throws up i don’t know what’s going on i am very worried 😓
Hi Akriti! Thanks for reaching out! Keep offering solids and allow him to touch/feel/play with different foods/textures. The more he experiences these food textures, the more comfortable he will be with food and will stop gagging. Babies have a strong gag reflux that helps prevent them from choking. This gag reflux becomes desensitized the more they practice with foods and other oral motor skills. To help with that, you can try brushing the sides of his mouth with a toothbrush! For more tips on offering solids, check out our free table foods workshop- save your seat here!
Best,
Kalyn
Hello,
My 7 month old was eating a little bit of purées with oatmeal then got sick and vomited, about a month ago. She has not eaten food since. Her doctor told me she’ll get over it about 3 weeks ago. When I do find a purée or soft dissolvable food she eats, she vomits it up about an hour later then continues to vomit until it’s yellowish bile.
Hi my almost 9 month old wont take any purees , i started introducing purees a little after 4 months but i thought he wasnt ready since he would make gagging noises everytime i put it in him mouth until he wouod just end up throwing up his formula from before. I have been trying daily since then but he still rejects it .. im afraid to start whole pieces of soft food even though he has 2 bottom teeth
Hi Nina,
We know it can be such a challenge to have a little one with trouble transitioning to table foods. Gagging is a natural protective reflex, but it can also be a red flag for some sensory challenges. Our article on gagging might be a helpful place for you to start!
Best,
Andrea
Trying feeding the pureed food first then follow up with milk.
Hey Sharon,
Oh that sounds so difficult for you guys! Sensory gagging and vomiting typically happen right before eating or while eating. You might want to check back in with the doctor to be sure nothing else is going on. Our free table foods workshop might also be helpful. You can save your seat HERE.
Best,
Andrea
Hi, thank you for this article. My daughter is almost 14months and she has never been a great eater but the last 2 weeks she hasn’t been interested in anything. My husband and I sneak in bites of yogurt and banana while we are reading her books just to give her some food. She wants to nurse. We think she may be constipated or maybe she has teeth coming in. We have been making her eat at least 5 bites. I feel we now have made eating time a negative experience. Any advice? Should we let her go hungry and not force her to eat? We are frustrated.
Hi Breean,
Transitioning to table foods can be difficult for so many toddlers. You might try letting her experiment with feeding herself. She might be more excited to try new foods if she feels like she has a little more control. We also have a free workshop dedicated to helping parents transition their babies and toddlers to table food. You can save your seat HERE. I hope that helps get you started!
Best,
Andrea
My son is 2.5 years old and use to be an amazing eater until he was 15 months. He went from eating everything to eating only select foods. My ped hasn’t been concerned until his 2.5 checkup and he lost 4 oz. I had them run a full blood panel in him and everything came back normal. He went a solid 6 months without eating meat and basically lived off of strawberries, yogurt, cheese and bagels. I have supplemented pedisure shakes on days when I feel he doesn’t get enough to eat. He uses a fork and spoon fine. Spaghetti is the one dinner I can guarantee he will eat. We are going on a year of this and the doctor recommends food therapy. I’m just not sure that route will work he likes a routine and I don’t see him eating in a unfamiliar place with people he doesn’t know. I’m not sure if this. Is just a picky eating stage but we are going on a year of this.
Hi Maria,
It can be so tough when our kids eat very little! It sounds like the doctor is on board with your son getting some help. That’s great news! Likely it will take your son a little while to get comfortable with a feeding therapist. But a feeding therapist can help guide you on how to expand to new foods and can assess if there is any underlying difficulties like chewing or sensory processing. You can check out our post on what to expect from a feeding therapist.
We also have a post about food jags. It might give you some ideas on where to start with your son and how to expand his diet so he starts eating new foods! I hope that helps!
Best,
Andrea
Hi, I’ve read article after article and even talked to my son’s Pedi and am at a loss. Our 21mo old eats solids however, started chewing them spring out foods he normally would eat. Some meals I don’t think he’s swallowed anything… we moved away from food packets because we didn’t want to rely solely on them and thought we were on a good track with solids. However, we did offer an apple sauce packet or a yogurt packet if you don’t feel like he’s getting enough nutrition. He also stop drinking milk and will only drink diluted juice or water. I’m just not sure what’s going on he certainly entering a tantrum stage and we’ve been very lucky he’s definitely been even tempered since birth and he has great sleeping habits and takes his daily nap but the eating thing is really getting to us. I’m depressed not feeling like I can help…I don’t know what to do. The only one that’s for me it is fruit. Our pediatrician thinks that it’s not so bad but he’s also in the 2nd percentile for weight and I don’t necessarily want to keep singing this is a phase. Rather than trying to find a different doctor because I really like her other than this I would love any advice. Thanks in advance.
Hi Kim,
It can be so difficult when toddlers have trouble transitioning off of purees and pouches! Sometimes spitting out food can mean that your little one is having trouble managing the food in his mouth. You might try sitting right in front of your toddlers chair and take a bite of his food and over exaggerate chewing. Sometimes that can be helpful in showing him what to do with the new foods. We also have a free workshop about transitioning to table foods for toddlers that might be helpful. You can save your seat HERE. Feel free to reach out with any questions. I hope that is helpful!
Best,
Andrea
Hey
My son is 15 months old. He has a speech therapist that comes once a week but doesn’t really seem to be helping much. My son eats baby food perfectly fine but if I try any soft table food or any table food at all he gags. He doesn’t like to touch the food or play with it. He doesn’t chew on toys much. He is visually impaired so I’ve been trying food play for over 4 months now and he still has no interest. I’m getting very worried. I just want my little boy to eat some real food. Do you know anything I could do ?
Hi Destiny,
Transitioning to table food can be a challenge for so many kids! You are not alone in that difficulty! You may want to start brushing his teeth/gums if you haven’t already. This can help the mouth get used to increased sensory information needed for eating. We also have a free workshop dedicated to transitioning toddlers to table foods. You can save your seat HERE. Feel free to reach out of you have any questions!
Best,
Andrea
Your Kids Table Team
Hi
My 2yr11months toddler eats pureed food perfectly but finds it hard to try anything on her own.I tried everything from bananas,rice,boiled and mashed apples… potatoes but nothing worked,she never picks anything and eat. It’s always fed by mama.oatmeal porridge is also accepted only if it’s powdered oats ,I really need help resolving this.
Any help from you will be highly appreciated 🙏
Hey! We’re so glad that you’re here. It can be tough when toddlers aren’t interested in feeding themselves. Practicing with drier foods like dissolvable solids (think graham crackers or baby puffs) might be helpful. If she has any sensory aversions, those foods are often tolerated better to get started. We have a great article to give you tons of ideas on teaching her to feed herself. You can check it out HERE.
Best,
Andrea
Hi, thank you for your very useful articles. My 15 month old son is very good with finger feeding and was pretty good with a spoon, with even some good attempts at using a fork. He now seems to stop trying, gets discouraged quickly when he doesn’t get as much food as he wants on the spoon. When I put my hand on his to help he lets go of the spoon. Any tips please?
This also coincides with a regression where he now sometimes takes food out of his mouth and sticks his tongue out… don’t know what to do, he was doing so well!
Thank you in advance for your answer
Hi Anne-Laure,
It can be so frustrating when toddlers start to show signs of picky eating! It’s wonderful to hear that he is great with finger foods. Using a spoon and fork can sometimes be a challenge for all kids his age. It’s a really complex skill! If he is resistant to you helping him with utensils, you might try modeling it for him in an exaggerated fashion. Watching you use a spoon or fork can help him see what he is supposed to do! You can check out more on self-feeding here. We also have some more great suggestions for preventing picky eating in toddlers.
Best,
Andrea
Hi,thank you so much for your answer! He eats with us so hopefully modeling will help.
What can we do about him taking food out of his mouth?
Hi Anne-Laure,
We are so glad you found that helpful! We have a post about what to do when toddlers spit food out that you might find helpful. We hope that helps!
Best,
Andrea
My 22 month old does not eat or pick solid foods.
She is fed puried food and whenever solid food is introduced she would refuse to eat and gag when we try feeding her.
We try food in different shapes and colors but she wont budge. Sometimes she will pick something soft like Roti( indian bread) but if she gags anytime she will stop and will not touch anything after that. Even the fruits she would not eat.
My wife and I have difference in opinion where I want to keep.trying new foods and even see an occupational therapist but ahe wont agree. She is about to turn 2 years but my wife has only given her puried that also ia being fed by us and she is not eating by herself. Also she needs distraction like tv or books while being fed.
I am worried as she will have a hard time as wife now wants to send her to daycare and she is not trained to eat herself or any solid food.
Please suggest.
Hi there! Thanks for reaching out! First, we always recommend discussing this with your pediatrician, who will make sure your child is otherwise healthy, at a good weight, and doesn’t have any eating difficulties (swallowing, GI, etc). They can also refer you to an Occupational Therapist, if needed- which would be very helpful for hands-on help! Next, start practicing some oral motor exercises and sensory activities to help ease her into being more comfortable with textures other than purées. Sensory bins, food play, and oral motor exercises can really help with this! Allow her to touch/feel/play with her food. Use a toothbrush to brush the insides of her mouth between meals. Sip from straws, blow bubbles, and make silly faces. All of these exercises can help strengthen her oral muscles and desensitize her gag reflux and sensory sensitivities. Lastly, we have a free table foods workshop that can help even further! Save your seat here!
Best,
Kalyn
Hi Alisha . I have a baby girl she is 16 months. I am really worry because she refuse to swallow solid food. She put it in her mouth chew a little bit and the spill everything out. I have been trying with different kinds of food. She just can eat yogurt and brest milk. She can drink for a straw and from a bottle for doesn’t like anything else that water. She didn’t gain weight last appointment and the doctor said that she needs to gain weight.
Hi
I have 12 months old son i have have problem since i start him weaning he only eats baby food refuses to eat finger food dont even want touch, iam very worried he isnt talking yet just babbles mama dada when i put something ok his hand he just throw and wont pick up
Hey Susu,
Thanks for reaching out to us! I would try to start engaging him in playing/touching of the food as this can be the first step toward eating (you can even do this outside of mealtimes). However, we do have a free workshop that would be really helpful for your situation. You can save your seat here
Best,
Desiree
Hi,
My son is 10 months old. He only wants BM only if I latch him. He doesn’t drink from bottle. Also I wanted to start formula but he strongly refusing it. But He drinks water from straw bottle.
And meal time is a big battle. He will take 2 to 3 spoons and then starts gagging. I tried giving him pureed/mashed fruits but he rejects. Also he don’t want to eat any baby biscuits/crunchy foods/textured porridge. He doesn’t feed himself when I try table food, he would just play and throw the food . Please give me some tips to overcome this.
For trying to switch to formula, I’d try doing a mix starting with 75% breast milk and 25% formula. Then you can slowly be adding more formula to have him be more accepting. As far as the gagging, I’d check out our free workshop as we walk you through which foods to provide first and to help them work through any gagging difficulties. You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
Hi there, my 8 month old gags and throws up at the first bite of food. I breastfeed him and am trying to get him eating healthy from the beginning. So I gave him a tiny piece of raw cheese and he gagged. Same with mashed avocado. My 4.5 year old daughter would do the same and is a very picky eater now. Help please.
Hey Diana,
We understand how hard this can be! I’d first be trying to get him to touch and interact with the food, it can be really helpful. Also, brushing his gums/teeth with a toothbrush can help with the gagging. We do have a free workshop that is helpful to walk you through how to handle this. You can save your seat here
Best,
Desiree
So my 8 month old doesn’t really have trouble eating but there is something I’m curious about. I usually give him some spoonfed stuff (puree, oatmeal, yogurt, etc) at the beginning of the meal before giving him his plate of table foods but he’ll usually only take one or two spoonfuls before refusing. But if we stick a toy in front of him to look at, he’ll let us feed him a lot more. Why is that? Should we stop using the toy?
I should add the whole reason we started doing that is because we needed a way for him to get more milk because he doesn’t like taking the bottle for some reason. Otherwise we’d just give up and give him only the table foods which he eats just fine.
Hey Stacy,
So we do recommend removing any toy/distraction from the table/during mealtimes. When there is a toy/distraction present then the child is not really interacting with the food, so you aren’t working on the underlying cause of “why” they are not wanting the food. I’d try doing some play with the pureed foods and seeing how he will do touching it/engaging with it. Also offering him a spoon to use to feed himself. These can be helpful in them being more accepting to this texture!
Best,
Desiree
HELP!! My son just turned 2 last month. He only drinks milk in a bottle with some oatmeal cereal in it, will have a yogurt here and there and Oreo cookies which the grandparents introduced. He seems to be interested in my food when I am eating however if I offer anything or put a little piece in his mouth he gags and spits the food out. The Oreo’s he sucks on and won’t chew. He is now starting to choke when he tries to swallow the cookies so I refuse to give it to him. Figured he would at least learn how to chew the Oreo’s which is why I allowed him to have some. I don’t know what to do at this point. Should I take him to a specialist? Any other ideas? Thanks.
Hey Jessica,
So sorry your little one is having trouble. Sounds like working on some chewing skills will be really helpful for him. I’d first start brushing teeth/gums/tongue 3x’s a day, this can help decrease the gag reflex. You can take him to a specialist they can at least evaluate and get some eyes on him for specific recommendations. You can also take a look at This Article for some tips for teaching chewing.
Best,
Desiree
Hello,
My son is 17 months old. He is only 20.2 lb. He always rejects foods. I can only give him puree because he can not chew. And he takes long time to melt any table foods by his tongue. But as he is on 2.5 percentile on his growth chart I am worried and I have to blend foods to feed him. I need to divert him during feeding. He accepts 1-2 oz watching cartoon. Then he starts to reject. And if he does not watch cartoon I can not feed him even 1 spoon. He is very skinny and I can see his ribs. He was active but specially in this month I think he gets tired easily. Doctor told me to give him pediasure which he does not like and gags. He gags and chokes very frequently. And sometimes he vomits. I am giving him famotidine. But my son shows interest to our meal. And takes 1/2 bite. But as he can not chew I can not give table food in his meal time because it takes long time. And also it takes almost 1 hour to feed him puree. Doctor recommended for NG tube. Do you think he should be given NG tube? He does not have any other medical complications. But perhaps he has acid reflux. Why does not he eat? For behavioral problem, for reflux or he simply does not like puree? I am so frustrated he is not gaining weight. Any suggestion will be helpful.
Thanks for reaching out, so sorry you are dealing with this, we know how hard it is. I’d first start to work on having your son play in some different foods that you are wanting him to eat touching of foods is the first step to eating. Engaging him this way can be really helpful. We do have a free workshop that will walk you through some of these strategies to work towards chewing as well as what foods to offer. You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
My daughter is not 2 and has been the same way. I have struggled with her eating for so long she doesn’t chew and vomits daily for past 8 months. After dozens of specialists and feeding therapy, she is not any better. I’m taking matters in my own hands. I purée food for her mix high calorie foods use blender, make it a consistency she will eat and not gag/vomit. Do a lot of tongue, mouth, jaw movements. She doesn’t know how to properly chew and swallow food. No one told me this. Ever. Please let me know if I can answer any questions. Its difficult. Don’t put a tub on him ever. Have patience and advocate for him.
Hey Alisha ,
I have been following your work and your excellent .
My daughter is 20.5 months old and extremely picky eater I am worried stressed and cry often
Shows poor motivation to self eat or being made to eat.
She plays with her food a lot , put it in her hair at times ( feel its more attention seeking that time )
She eats food with distractions especially mobile videos (when I put food in her mouth )
She swallows her food most times (when I put food in her mouth – eg rice oats )
She will eat pieces of banana / watermelon /egg but with distraction or me constantly on her head
Doesn’t like eating Toast/ bread / roti
She has shown love for chicken to hate for chicken
She shows poor consistency in eating / liking whatever she eats
She likes to eat on her own , even picks up sunflower seeds or raisins and eats but not eat like a meal. She picks up Annie’s cheddar bunny crackers / some gerber etc and eats but no toast or filling stuff
She eats extremely less quantities and I am worried if she will gain any weight ( she weighs on the Lower border of her age group )
Extremely active and hyper child
She gags when she is upset / needs attention
She has 4 teeth on the top and 4 below and is currently teething with 4 more on the way
Honestly tired and worried 😟
Hey Karishma,
Thanks so much for reaching out! So sorry you are having a hard time feeding your daughter. It sounds like you are doing a great job at providing opportunities for allowing her to play and touch the food. This is a great first step in eating and I would make sure to continue to provide those opportunities for her. We do have a free workshhop that would be perfect for your situation and learning some strategies for moving forward with her picky eating. You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
I have a six month old son. My doctor said he was ready to start eating solids before he was five months old because of how well he was holding his head up. I still waited until he was just about 5 months because I didn’t want to start too early. I started with a baby oatmeal which he really did not like. I kept trying it, and he would make faces and let it dribble out and gag. I then moved on to purees. First banana, he didn’t like it, avocado, he seemed to like but now he will spit out and gag. I have tried about 10 new fruits and vegetables and he doesn’t seem to like any of them. I thought he liked pears at first, but now he gags. He’s starting to gag with every bite and he still won’t open his mouth for the spoon, despite the fact that we’ve been trying solids for nearly six weeks once a day. I’ve tried not thinning them so much, to see if he would like a thicker texture, but he still does not like it. Should I be concerned? Do I just keep trying the way I have been?
Hey Mindy,
You are just starting out in this feeding journey! I would keep trying, but also making sure he has opportunity to touch and play with the textures as well, this can help with them eating it! We do have a free workshop that could be helpful for what you can be looking for and doing! Save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
I have a 1 year old who eats nothing but baby food still. Should I be concerned that she does not try any new foods I’ve tried giving her soft table foods and meltable cereal chews. What would be the best option?
Hey Cody,
Thanks for reaching out! We can understand your worry and know it can be a hard transition. We do recommend utilizing puffs (meltable). or other meltable solids to work on the transition to table foods. However we do have a free workshop that will walk you through these steps to work towards eating. You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
Hi, my daughter is 19months old and as far as foods go she will only eat oatmeal grits mashed potatoes or anything of the like, but at the same time she will eat almost any snack such as Cheetos cookies muffins…etc. I’m not sure what to do I’ve tried and continue to try introducing new foods but she won’t take more than 2-3 small bites and then she has no interest in it. Also have an issue of getting her to drink more than a very small amount of liquid a day, she loves water but won’t drink it from a cup only bottled water and only a few sips here and there… I’m at a loss and worried about her, her urine output seems to be very minimal (2-4 Wet diapers a day with only a small amount each time) please help!!!
Hey Thanks for reaching out! For the drinking I’d try a straw cup to see how she does with that. Some kids like the sensation from it and find it “fun” this may help. For the eating, we do have a free workshop that will help with some tips and strategies to use at home. For starting I’d try to do play with food that you are wanting to work on her eating, you can even do this outside of mealtimes. This can help get them used to touching a variety of textures and feel comfortable around the foods. Save your seat for the workshop HERE
Best,
Desiree
Hi! My food loving 2year old daughter suddenly isn’t eating solid food anymore. Anything textured. She eats yogurt/ice cream but anything else she chews and holds it in her mouth for hours. She has been doing that for the past couple of day. I’ve tried different foods but she does the same thing even though she asks for it.?(
Hey Sarah,
Thanks for reaching out! I’d first try to rule out anything medical going on, teething, etc.. Then I’d try to remove pressure from mealtimes and make sure she has at least 1 food that is her preferred at this time. Removing the pressure can help get her back to where she was eating (if nothing medical is going on). To learn more about removing the pressure you can sign up for our picky eating workshop, it’ll be some great tips to help get your little one back on track. Save you seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
Hi..my baby turned 6 months old on 14th. And we started solids on the 10th of this month. We have started baby led weaning. The first 2-3 days she seemed ok with chewing though she didn’t seem to swallow much. After that she bites and chews but ends up gagging every time. She is very interested in the finger food I offer but gags and has even vomited a few times. Sometimes she manages the gag but the food usually remains in her mouth causing further gagging, then I give a little water and she swallows. Or she just spits it out gradually, not forceful spitting.
Hey thanks for reaching out! You can try to provide her with some meltable foods such as puffs to see how she does with managing those in her mouth, and see if she is able to move it around. We do also have a free workshop that will help walk you through some other steps that you can take to help you with the gagging and what foods to try! Save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
I have a 9 month old baby boy. He seems to be having issues understanding how to use his mouth and tongue. He turns his head when food is offered. He gags, spits up and cries when I do manage to get food in his mouth. I have tired changing the texture of the food, thinning it out, making it thicker. He hates all of it. The main thing I have noticed and I have spoken with his pedi about is he twists and sticks out his tongue all the time . I am on waiting list to get him into food therapy. He is showing signs he is interested in food. He watches us eat, tries to take food off of plates and moves his mouth when we eat like he is eating. He just cant seem to put all the pieces together. I have 2 other children and I never had issues like this with them. I am at a total lose I feel like I have tried so many things. I have tried using the mash bag for him to suck on as well. The tongue twisting is my big worry, he has a lot issues knowing what to do with it. Any ideas? or is food therapy my best bet?
Hey Amanda,
So glad you reached out! Feeding Therapy does sound great for him, hopefully you have found a good fit. It sounds like he has some oral motor and sensory difficulties to address with feeding. I’d work on getting him to allow you to brush his gums/teeth and tongue. This can help with getting the tongue moving inside his mouth to help with the foods. If you haven’t yet seen our free workshop, it’ll be another great resource for things that you can be doing at home. You can save your spot Here
Best,
Desiree
My 17 month old will sometimes very rarely eat solid foods, most times he will chew it till it’s completely mush then spit it out and play with it. He loves to pick up things off the floor and put them in his mouth and chew them. He will eat toddler stage baby food but more times then none when he gets to the end of his meal he starts gaging and eventually throws up. Please I need help I’m not sure if he needs the evaluation or not.
Hey Starlette,
Thanks for reaching out to us! It’s always a good idea to reach out to your pediatrician as well to let them know your concerns. We do have a free workshop that will provide suggestions for gagging as well as which foods to have him try first to see about the chewing/swallowing. You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
My son is 3yrs old and he has been a VERY picky eater since he started eating. He only eats few foods such as french fries, noodles and 12-24 months baby cereal, chips, candy, and the only meat he will eat is beef jerky. He gags every time we try to feed him new things, practically pukes when a fork/spoonful of something new is near his face. Or he will start crying and freaking out when we ask him if he wants a taste of something we are eating, he’s just completely disgusted with just about everything. We’ve tried being food role models, we’ve tried telling him he’d get stronger and faster like his favorite character, we’ve tried involving him in meal planning, etc. At this point We’re hopeless and have started to think he won’t ever grow out of it. he’s very smart and can talk very good. help!!
Hey Kimberly,
Thanks for reaching out! We have a workshop that I think you will get some great tips and insight from to help your son! In the workshop you will learn about removing all pressure from mealtimes, as this can have a great affect on them as well. You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
My 14month old still isn’t eating any kind of food, he doesn’t put anything in his mouth other than his fingers and gags on even 4month baby porridge, I’ve tried all kinds of soft food but the thickest thing he can eat without gagging is a yoghurt. Although since being on antibiotics for an ear infection a few months ago he will no longer even put a spoon in his mouth..I have an appointment to see a peadiatrician but that’s not for another 3months.. any help will be great
My grandson was premature, but wasn’t on a feeding tube then..a procedure was done, to where he needed a feeding tube, cause if he took anything by mouth he will aspirate, he is now 14 months and now he cried for eating through his mouth..now he been eating through the mouth at least for a week or 2 now…. because of the Cov19…we couldn’t go to doctors..do he can see if it safe to eat by mouth…and if his organ is working now…Soo he been eating regularly without any problems so far..you think I made a right decision..??
Hey Sherry,
So sorry to hear what you are dealing with, it can be hard. We do always say to follow up with your pediatrician or GI doctor (or whoever they are seeing) to see what is in the best interest, especially with medical difficulties going on! I’d reach out to them and see if you can discuss through phone/computer.
Best,
Desiree
Kimberly my 3 year old is the same way she was eating rice mac and cheese noodles all kinds of fruits and veggies but just last week she completely quit eating . my biggest problem is she’s still on a bottle but just at bedtime. I think i didn’t cook tator tots long enough and she didn’t like it that’s what set her off.
Hi. Ugh, I need help. My 5yo was eatting okay.. not great but for the most part he’d try different foods but of course loved more fatty foods, donuts, fries, PBJs, etc. About 2 weeks ago, he said something was stuck in his throat.we made sure there was nothing, he drank lots of water and immediately after, when he tried to eat he said it hurt to swallow. I got worried something was really stuck, we took X-rays, nothing. The Dr. recommend medicines for allergies and acid reflux thinking that could be causing a sore throut. It’s been a week, no progress. When I try to get him to eat, he doesn’t even attempt to swollow. He simply chews, usually doesn’t like the texture of the solid foods and spits it out. Nothing is working. He’ll eat yogurt, broth, and peanut butter. And for some reason only his favorite candy– rolos- doesn’t hurt to swollow. His pediatrician is recommending we do a laryngoscopy, which is scary. I’m not convinced that the issue us really his throat, but then again, this happened suddenly, so I’m unsure. Any advice?
Hey Priscilla,
So sorry you are dealing with this! For the sudden onset and him refusing even his favorite foods now, I’d continue to explore medical reasoning, especially with him expressing something feeling different in his throat. Medications can take awhile to really start to work. In the meantime, I’d make sure that you are providing opportunities for him to play/touch and talk about different foods and textures (with no pressure to eat). This can start to build trust again for him to start eating!
Hope that helps!
Best,
Desiree
My grandson was eating babyhfood for a while than became really picky will not try any table foods at all crys gags if you try to get him to take a bite. Over a month he would only eat 1 type of baby food and now he wont even eat that . Daily we try dif stuff and still nothing. No intesti in any type of food .gags if offered and not willing to ever try any finger foods. So now hes not eating at all. He is 2 .he has a appt coming right up in 5 days. Anytime he has seen the doc they act like it’s normal. Its not. This is beyond fussy. . But they never seemed concerned. I’m very concerned.
Hey Alice,
There can be a number of reasons for kids stopping to eat, I’d be making sure that she’s not getting sick too. If you continue to have trouble and picky eating you can check out our free workshop that has some great strategies for you to utilize at home to help get them on track! Save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
I have an 8 nearly 9 year old who gags easily on many foods. I find that it is usually texture based but seems to be getting worse. She struggles with eggs. Ground beef, cooked veggies and more. I am never sure what will trigger it and once she gags she can’t eat anymore. I struggled very much with texture when I was a cold but am mostly fine now as an adult. I keep saying she will grow out of it but the fact that it almost seems worse now makes me wonder if this is the case. As a child I was kind of forced to work my way through it and have wondered if that is the way to help her but also know how hard it is to be forced because I was there. Should I continue as I’m going, catering to what works for her or try to get her to eat the foods that induce gagging?
Hey Angie,
Thanks so much for reaching out and really thinking through this! We take the approach to address the underlying cause and work on it that way, with no forcing. If you haven’t seen it yet, our free workshop will help you understand the no pressure environment. From the sounds of it, she would need some sensory work, to really work through those textures (which is covered in our full class). You will learn some great tips in our free workshop! You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
I have a two year old that shoves nuggets(one of the few foods he eats) into his mouth, gets angry his mouth is so full, he spits it out. I have to take it immediately. And a lot of the times when he does this, he won’t eat anymore. Should I have him evaluated? Also, any other food he doesn’t want, he demands to have taken off of his tray. My 6 year old is exactly the same. Very few foods. Won’t eat anything mushy and mostly white and yellow foods. He will eat beef, but that is the only meat.
Hey Melissa,
It never hurts to get an evaluation even if you just leave with some suggestions! That said, you can also sign up for our free video series happening now, as it can help provide some suggestions for picky eaters! Save your seat HERE
Hi, my son is 3 years old and he’s always been really weird about food and I’ve made this clear with his pediatrician for almost 2 years and they finally gave me a referral to an Ot. He has sensory issues but but eat will junk food. Speech is great so their are no other concerns & his preference is hard candy, popcorn, French fries, m&m’s, and snicker bars. We give him a daily vitamin as well. When feeding him he initially was gagging but now he will hold the food but eventually swallows and crying the entire time. Whenever we mention it’s time to eat he starts crying which makes me feel it’s behavioral as well. Should we keep forcing him to eat. I don’t want to make meal time anxious for him. He’s making small progress and his OT encourages us to keep introducing it to him.
Hey Ginger,
So happy that you received a referral for OT, hopefully you are finding this helpful. I would still be trying to offer new and preferred foods, however we do recommend in a no pressure environment. I’d take a look at our free workshop on picky eating and this is full of helpful information, especially with your situation. Save Your Seat Here.
Best,
Desiree
I’m hoping for some guidance. My 8 almost 9 month old son hasn’t wanted purées in over a month so I tried table food since he likes feeding himself. He chews but most of the time does not swallow and freaks out . What can I do?
Hey Kayla,
I can totally get where you are coming from! Our kids feeding journey’s can be tricky, but you are doing great with looking for resources for help! I would take a look at this article on Transitioning to table foods. It will talk you through the process of how to transition from table foods with what foods to use and what to look for!
Best,
Desiree
Your Kids Table Team Member
I had my son evaluated at 12 months because he wouldn’t eat much solids at all. He is exclusively breastfed.
He would gag and spit food out, or even briefly choke. The OT said his oral motor looked fine, and that he was just preferring nursing. She suggested I use the tv to distract him to get volume in, which would hopefully cut down on the nursing.
Nothing has worked. I feel like I am at a loss. I worry every single day, and things aren’t getting any easier. He is now 19 months old and primarily getting nutrition from my milk. He tries new foods once in awhile but even the foods he “likes”(ie:raspberries) he will only eat maybe one or two of on a good day.
This month he started gagging at the SIGHT of food almost every single time. It makes me so sad and I just don’t know what to do. Everyone keeps telling me I need to wean him from nursing and he will just “grow out of it”
My mama gut has been telling me for a year that something isn’t right.
PLEASE help 😔
Hey Melissa,
You are doing a great job! looking for resources and following your mommy gut! From what you are describing it seems like he is having a sensory reaction to the foods. I’d start with some play with the foods, outside of mealtimes to get him used to touching everything and decrease the gagging. I’d also watch our free workshop, because takng away pressure can also have a huge impact! You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
Hey Melissa! How is your son now? I read your comment here and I have a 15 almost 16 month old boy is the exact same and every day I feel sick and in a panic about it. Just wondering how it turned out for you?
🙂
Hi, my 11 month food refuse to eat finger foods. She plays with it but wont put it in her mouth and if i put a tiny piece she freaks out. She wants it out of her mouth and starts somewhat gagging until she swallows it or i mange to take it out of her mouth. She long eats her puree which she loves and her baby fruits or yogurt. Should i be worried..
Oh Marcia, yes, this is something I’ve seen many times. Head to How to Transition to Table Foods, I’ve got a whole tutorial there and a free printable. Make sure you sign up for that because, in a few weeks, I’m doing a whole free 1 hour workshop on this, it will be perfect for you!
Hello. Im so thankful i found this. My almost 15month old has been exclusively breastfed completely. Initially he took to purees but that stopped a while ago. He enjoys junk stuff like crackers, puffs, etc and will try to kill an entire bag if you let him. He used to love fruit in his mesh thingy also but that changed. He does drink water (loads of it) and recently began enjoying sips of almond milk from a cup. Unfortunately, beyond puffs, he will just touch other foods but is unwilling to try it.
He has always been smaller than the norm but his growth is on track with his chart. He has been walking since 10 months and speaks alot (in his own language of course).
Please any tips. It’s like he stares and will watch me eat….he will touch my food, the fork, everything. Just when you try to give him some….he is outta there. Help!
#1sttimemom
Hey Brittany,
We can relate to what is happening! Great job at offering foods for him! I’d suggest you starting with our free workshop! This can help with which foods to try next for ease of chewing and move you through. Also this will help set up a positive environment for feeding. You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
I have a 3 year old who has had an issue with food the moment I started weaning, up until 6 months he was actually quite good at eating the baby food but struggled with table food, over time he progressed and will eat by himself sausage, egg, toast, Turkey, pasta, cheese, yoghurt, sandwiches etc he was really good with porridge and weetabix but has always gagged a fair bit not at every meal but from time to time resultingin full on vomiting if he doesn’t like what’s in his mouth, yet can shovel cheese sandwich and chicken nuggets in no problem, on and off even the mention of food makes him heave, should I be concerned, he’s had a number of visits with toddler food OT’s but no success with the techniques we have been using, he has gotten steadily better than a year ago but still seems to have a negative reaction go most table food which I feel healthy
I’d keep an eye on it, and may be helpful to try and find a feeding therapist that fits an approach you like. I also have a picky eating program that works on these issues as well, you can learn my top strategies (as the first steps) in this free workshop: yourkidstable.com/free
Actually I have a question. My daughter just turned 7 months old. Last month i was given the ok to start giving her solids. I bought a multi pack of Gerber fruit. It had bananas, apples, and pears. I nursed her first then i gave her some of her fruit. She ended up with such a gut ache that i ended up giving her some tylenol. Now that she’s 7 months old . I just got diagnosed with mastitis on my right side and am on an antibiotic. She now barely nurses, her doctor told me that i should substitute with formula and some solid foods. She gaged as soon as the tip of the bottle touched her tongue, she gaged when she got a taste of the formula, and she gaged as soon as i introduced her to vegetables. I bought jared vegetables, but without the additives. As soon as a little bit touched her tongue she started gagging. I’ve tried 4 different kinds and she gaged on all of them. I even tried adding it to rice cereal and she again gagged. So is it possible that she’s just not ready. I’m at a loss. My 3 other kids never had these problems . And their completely grown up. With no issues. I’m at a loss.
It is so hard! I’d definitely mention it to your doctor, but in the mean time, I’m going to direct you to this post on transitioning your baby to table foods- he’s a little young for that, but pay attention to the part about tooth brushing that could help a lot!
Hi there, my 18 month old baby girl throws herself to the floor and cries everytime she sees food or we offer food to her, this has been going on since she was 9 months old, also she doesn’t like to feed herself, throws food on the floor when she’s in the high chair, any advise would be very appreciated, I am considering feeding therapy, thanks in advance!
Hey Gabriel!
We totally get it and understand how hard this is! I’d start with our free workshop as it provides ideas for setting up mealtimes as well as what foods to offer when. You can save your seat HERE. Also, if you are looking into feeding therapy we have an article that reviews the types of therapy HERE.
Best,
Desiree
There’s something called eosinophilic esophagitus (sp?) which my nephew was finally diagnosed with at age 17. His father is an MD, but the parents and the pediatrician were all certain his problem with refusing meals but begging for dessert (usually in their family that is something wet like ice cream, pudding, or fruit pies), eating incredibly slowly, gagging, and vomiting foods were due to allergies. It turns out the primary problem was that his esophagus diameter was too tiny. It is a frequently misdiagnosed and undiagnosed problem, from what they learned now.
Hi Alisha. Can you please advise me on what I should do? My 12mo son met most of his gross motor skills early, started walking at 8mo and really well at 10mo, is climbing up chairs etc. Fine motor skills are lacking. He doesn’t seem to have interest in stacking blocks, talking (still saying ma ma, da da, that’s about it), doesn’t put objects into boxes (but will take them out), and….does not feed himself. I had thought that maybe he was just slower in one area then the other but his doctor was concerned during his 1yr exam.
In regards to the feeding. He will take bottles just fine and just started to take a granola bar or cracker (YAY). Aside from that, since about 8mo I have been trying finger foods such as avocado, peas, tofu, steamed veggies, blue berries, cut strawberries….with most all foods/especially at first, he makes a squished face as if they are sour. With most all finger foods (especially initially) he would gag even with them at the tip of his tongue (clearly not far back in his mouth). He doesn’t vomit, sometimes spits food out, other times chokes it down but doesn’t want the bottle when trying to swallow it. I backed off for a intermittently thinking he is not ready but, now that his doc has said something I’m trying to make this happen. I started giving him finger foods 3-5x/day every day and have him sit in the highchair to feed himself even if he makes a big mess/throws it on the floor etc. When I feed him the small finger foods he takes them but he will not bring them to his mouth himself. He only pokes the food and sometimes scoops it up with his full hand then throws it on the ground as to see how and where it will fall. He does this even w/some of the food he seems to love (if i feed it to him). Since his fine motor skill are lacking in general we are scheduled for a screening to make sure the delay isn’t r/t a spectrum of ASD. Reading this article I see the eating problems can be something different? Do you have any particular advise that can help me make the best use of our time helping him?
Thank you!
So glad you have an eval scheduled, I think that will be very helpful! It sounds like oral motor may be involved too, I’d check this article, as well as this one on how to transition to table foods.
Hi Jennifer,
I read about your son and can’t help but think that my 12 month son does almost all these things.
I read that your son was to undergo ASD eval. I’m thinking the same for my son. Could u pls let me know how did the ASD eval go for ur son or should I delay the ASD eval further for my son.
A very concerned mom
Shruti
Hi, my grandson is 3 1/2 yrs old. He does not eat ANY food besides fruit. He will eat strawberries, oranges, grapes and he absolutely loves pickles. He will not eat and we have tried every to get him to take a bite of anything. We have to beg him to take a bite of a fry and he will take a bite but have that gross look on hi face and eventually start to gag. His pediatrician says he is fine. He is not fine, I understand the phase of no eating but this has been going on since he started his transition to solid food. He has never wanted to eat.
Hi,
I understand how challenging this must be for your family!! I’d recommend trying to start doing some play with foods, outside of mealtime to make it fun for him and get him used to touching of new foods (as this is the first step in eating). I do think that another good place to start is our free picky eating workshop, which will provide you with suggestions for setting up mealtimes to decrease the stress and help your child develop positive relationship with food so that he wants to touch, taste and eat the foods. You can save your seat here
Best,
Desiree
Does pocketing her food affect a child’s speech? Does weakness in oral motor skills cause speech delay?
It’s quite possible that there’s an overlap in oral motor skills and speech. Also, pocketing could affect her speech if she’s holding onto a lot and it’s physically difficult to talk as a result.
Hi, my 12th month old son refuses to be fed any food, unless he himself is the one to put it into his mouth. he”ll put different finger foods in his mouth, but he wont swallow it, he spits it right out. he is nursing like a baby every two three hours. seems afraid to either swallow the food, or not sure what to do with the food in his mouth.
Hi Esther, I have two posts that I think will be really helpful. First is babies that won’t eat solids and the other is transitioning to table foods. Check those out and let us know if you have more questions.
My daughter is 20 months old and she has not been a good eater since i started solids.she was always fed with rhymes, playing etc.there were days she ate without any issues but the bottom line of my concern is she doesn’t chew her food always she wants to swallow it.she has 4 upper and 3 lower teeth.For the past 1 month its even more worst that she spits the food even with distraction..what i need to do is give her food and give her one spoon of water then she just swallows the food..if i don’t give her water she just spits the food..sometimes even with water she spits the food..she is not a self fed child but she happily takes the porridges without spitting…am so worried and depressed because of her eating habits..i need some experts advice to help me to correct it. i don’t like to feed her like this because i know that this is not right but i am forced to do it just to ensure she is not starving.
please help me.
thanks.
I totally get it! It gets really hard. I’m so glad you left this comment right now, because I have a free workshop for babies and toddlers that are having a hard time learning to eat table foods. It’s perfect for you. It’s definitely expert advice. You can grab a spot here.
For now, I’d focus on some crunchy foods like puffs that melt easily! I’ll talk more about why in the workshop.
Hello! My 19 month old eats very little food. He is breastfed and still nurses on demand several times a day. I do offer food first. He eats quite a variety of food and textures but eats very little. Nearly everytime he eats well, he ends up vomiting . Today he ate about 1/4 of a large peach, and 1/4 of a Hot Pocket. I was SO excited that he was doing so well. His last bite of Hot Pocket was a bit big, he gagged and immediately threw up. Nearly everytime he eats enough that I get excited, it ends with him vomiting. It is VERY rare for him to refuse food all together, but often he takes 5 bites or fewer. Thoughts? Suggestions?
It sounds like he’s having a bit of a hard time with larger bites. I’d cut the pieces for him, give them one at a time for a little while so you can manage closely. I’d also demonstrate chewing for him, show him how the food goes in the back of your teeth. This will take a lot of repetition. Also check out transitioning babies to table foods, I think it will be helpful. And, of course make sure your doctor is aware of these challenges:)
I have a 4 yr old son who was never fed other than formula, maybe baby oatmeal and during teething, was only given a silicone spatula, but his grands never stopped to think if he was actually hungry. He diet consists of Crackers (Ritz, Club and Cheezits) Party confetti muffins, French fries and bananas. He is also not talking. We live in Franklin County Pa. Is there any place we can go to for help?
Hey Scott,
We’re glad you found us! It can be really tough when our kids don’t eat too much. We don’t have recommendations for specific therapists in the area, but it sounds like your family would be a great fit for our free picky eating workshop. You can save your seat HERE. Let us know if you have any questions!
Best,
Andrea
Hello,
My 17 month old will not eat table foods for me. He will eat the stage 3 fruits but nothing else stage 3 and he spits out table foods. He was born only weighing 1lb 8oz. So he is behind but I know he can chew fine. I don’t know how to get him to stop spitting out table foods.
He might be having trouble swallowing the food or managing it inside of his mouth. I’d focus on crunchy foods like puffs and giving him a quick drink of water to help him swallow. I have more tips in how to transition to table foods that I think will be helpful!
My 14 month old has most of these red flags and I feel hopeless at times like what did I do wrong ? he had evaluation just waiting on the call back but we definitely need help plz let me know what I can start doing I don’t want him to fall more behind
Oh my gosh, not your fault at all. He likely has some underlying difficulties. Check out this post on 5 Reasons Kids Don’t Eat that will help explain and give you some specific strategies.
My 14 month old daughter has some unusual eating patterns, and I’m wondering if there is enough going on to do some kind of formal evaluations or if we just mention to the pediatrician next month. As a young infant she gagged when we tried to introduce bottles and pacifiers but did just fine with the breast. Introducing solids was painfully slow… she has never and still never lets us use a spoon to feed her and of course hates anything resembling puree. We finally figured out she would eat some table foods around 8 months, but only if she was the one doing the feeding. She also seemed to push food out of her mouth for quite a while.
Those certainly could all be red flags, but if she’s eating well on her own and getting enough food, she may not need an eval. However, if you live in the states you are able to receive a free eval in your home. Check out this post on feeding therapy to learn more!
Hi Alisha- I have a 15 month old that has trouble with table foods. He loves purees and will suck them down right from a pouch, and he will eat any kind of crunchy solid, like crackers, cookies, chips, puffs, baby snacks etc. He will also eat from my hand things like cereal bars or even take a bit of banana. And he will let me feed him other smooth foods like yogurt or oatmeal. But he will not eat much of anything from his tray. No pieces of fruit or veggie, he’ll take a bit of pasta but then spit it out. He won’t eat meats. Basically the only thing he picks up himself to eat is crackers etc. I’m starting to get worried because he is underweight (<3rd percentile) and he does seem hungry. He could eat 3 pouches in a single sitting, but he can't live off pouches forever! Do you have any advice for us?
Try this article on High Calorie Baby Foods. It sounds like that there may be some underlying sensory issues as well going on. But, before you address that, I would suggest getting some foundation tips that you can get in my free picky eating workshop.
Hi Alisha,
My 20 month old son has basically the same eating habits as this woman’s. Only difference is he’ll eat bananas and some fruits like watermelon and apples.
He wasn’t always like this though. He used to eat very well, everything except for vegetables, cheese, eggs and pasta. He ate most meats and fruits and some unusual foods like falafel, hummus, goat cheese, ricotta, asparagus (pureed), spaghetti squash.
Then shortly after his 18 month doctors appt, he just stopped. One thing after another fell off his will eat list. Now he will only eat his various pouches, yogurt, crackers, bananas, apples, watermelon, french toast, waffles, and chicken nuggets (Chick-fil-A only).
Do you think he developed a sensory issue? Is he just a picky eater? Is this just a phase/ power struggle between us now that he’s a toddler?
I still present him with real food at every meal– he just won’t touch it. If I lift it to his face he shakes his head no and turns away. I’ve tried everything and am deaparate to get him back to where he was.
I know it’s incredibly frustrating and confusing! First, I’d check out Why Kids Don’t Eat, do any of the reasons from that post jump out at you? It’s quite possible it’s his age.
Also, I’d start with the free picky eating workshop I have. It’s all online, just pick the time you can watch. I think it will be really helpful 🙂
Hello there, my little boy is 18 months old. He eats macaroni and cheese, pasta, pizza, grilled cheese, yogurt, avocado, chicken nuggets, bread, eggs, beans, tortillas and gerber pouches. He pretty much inhales them but when I give him cooked or raw vegetables or fruit he turns his head or spits them out. He has a good appetite and his weight is fine. How can I encourage him to eat them?
This can be tricky, it’s normal at his age. One strategy is teach him how to use dips. It may take some getting used to on his part, but try a variety and see if one or two sticks!
Hi Alisha,
So i tried some of the things you suggested for getting babies to eat. My 8 month old has been refusing baby food for 2 months. She’ll put puffs in her mouth but the same thing basically happens. Mouth opens, tongue stays out, drools horribly, spitting up follows. I have placed her in her chair with a dollop of food three times a day. Trying to make it positive. (Eek it’s messy!) she plays and if any goes in her mouth the drill continues. Mouth, tongue, drool. How long should I do this before intervention? She is a really good breast feeder but that is it. Refuses bottles too.
Hi,
I have a 20month old that only eats soft and pureed foods. His meals consists of pureed foods and hot cereal. Everyday I give him some kind of table food to try like fruits, noodles and meats. He chews them until there is no more juice in it and then spits it back out. I’m not sure if it’s because he can’t swallow foods with texture. When given soft noodles, breads, cooked carrots, even fried yams, basically anything that can be chewed to mush or melts in mouth, he can swallow. But things like chicken and vegetables, I have never gotten him to successfully eat. Is it a developmental problem? What can be done?
It sounds like there might be some red flags. I would definitely check with your pediatrician and your state early intervention program. You can read more about that in this post. I’d also check out this guide on how to transition to table foods, I think it would be really helpful for you.
My son is 18 months now and he still doesn’t do finger food. He Will eat banana with his hand but nothing else. I currently feed him Gerber’ s Lil’ meals and he eats those pretty well. But if I offer him other fruits, crackers, or puffs for him to try he would play with them and eventually throw them off the tray. I tried letting him feed himself a bowl of oatmeal and he pretty quickly flipped the bowl spilling the whole content on the tray and played with the food. I want to give him more chances to feed himself but he makes major mess and throw the food off the tray so I get discouraged.
He is also small both height and weight wise for his age. I am so stressed out about his eating!
How do I encourage him to try putting food in his mouth (he has no issues putting everything else in his mouth) and chew for once?
I totally get how stressful this can be! I’ve helped a lot of families through this. I’ve written a couple of other articles that i think will be really helpful. I’d check out Self Feeding and How to Transition to Table Foods. Also, make sure you sign up for the free printable. I’m working on a free workshop to help parents with this right now and you’ll be one of the first to know.
Hi, my son is 11 months old. He’s been eating table foods since he was about 8 months old. However, over the past several weeks he’s started spitting lots of his food out! He has completely stopped eating meat, he used to love turkey meatballs, now he puts them in his mouth and then spits them out. He usually swallows avocados, cheese chunks, pears and blueberries, but almost everything else gets spit out. He even spits out the foods listed above toward the end of meal time. I’ve started making smoothies for him to make sure he’s getting enough nutrients and calories. Does this sound like something concerning or a phase he will hopefully grow out of? Thanks!
If he was chewing these food adequately, it’s probably just a phase. However, if he has never chewed these foods well, it might be a sign that something else is going on and that he needs more help. I do have this post on helping kids eat meat that might be helpful. If you see the problem continue, check with his doctor.
Hi Alisha,
Thank you for your wonderful site! It has been a wealth of information!
I have a 17 month old who spits out her food often. She sometimes also wipes the food off her tongue as if she doesnt like the taste/texture. However she will continue to eat the same thing fine about 70% of the time. So perhaps 1 out of 5 spoonfuls, she spits out.
I also have gotten in the bad habit of feeding her by distraction…it was just easier when she was younger to shovel pureed food in her mouth while she was playing with toys or looking at a book. But nowadays that technique is not effective and I am having a hard time feeding her.
When we give her finger foods she will chew for a bit and just push it out of her mouth. but then continue to put more in her mouth again. Most of the food ends up on the floor either spit our or thrown by her.
Is this just a behavior problem? picky phase that she will grow out of? if we give her puffs or ritz crackers she has no problems chewing it, doesnt spit it out.
I would appreciate your advice because I am confused!
Actually Tiffany, this definitely sounds like there is something more going on. It’s possible that there’s some oral motor or sensory challenges. It is really great that she’s eating well the rest of the time.
Although this isn’t totally your situation, I do think the post: 5 Reasons Why Your Kid Won’t Eat will be really helpful. I also have a free picky eating workshop that teaches you my foundation strategies, and I touch on using distractions inside: yourkidstable.com/free
Hi, I have a 10 month old. He’s doing great with eating solids. It’s the water or juice. Both of those when he gets them go inside his sippy. So glad he takes it now. But when he starts drinking from his sippy, he throws his head back like he’s drinking from a bottle. But it causes him to choke badly to where I have to pat on his back to get it up. Because it went down the wrong pipe. So now he’s started coughing and sometimes after a good cough, comes throw up which is mucus. I try to keep his head up but he’s constantly on the move. At this point I don’t know what else to do. How do I teach him to put his head back?
Could you try a straw cup? I’d focus there, he’ll have to learn not to tilt back.
Also I’d try putting him on my lap so that when he tilts his head back he’d hit my chest and I could control how far back he tilted. I’d definitely want to avoid this chocking!
Either way, he’s going to need a lot of reminders and practice!
Hi there,
My 8 month old nurses and takes the bottle well, and was eating all sorts of purees/cereal great starting at 6 months. He got two bottom teeth three weeks ago and now has stopped all purees and finger foods. (Nurses/bottle is fine). He isn’t symptomatic with teething. He also has tongue protrusion now (rests on bottom gums since the teeth came in). He uses teethers, puts things in his mouth, has a strong jaw (likes biting my finger!). Help! It’s three weeks and no solids/purees. His whole life he’s had an “open mouth/slack jaw” type face as well. I’m a PT and he is meeting all other developmental milestones well, not low-tone. Why would this suddenly change?
Hmm, that’s really interesting!
The pain from the teeth may have given him a negative association. I’d try eating in a different environment- and even though they aren’t my favorite- eating out of a squeeze pouch.
The open mouth could be due to sensory processing?
I’d also look at brushing his gums a couple of times a day with a toothbrush- this could help desensitize from a sensory standpoint:)
Hi Alisha ! I have a huge problem with my 14 months old boy. He’s been exclusively breastfed on demand since day 1 without any problems. But now at 14 months he still hasn’t had any real meal , he never took pures, we tried BLW, and he took bite here or there but he never had a meal . He takes 3 bites maximum and he is done. and its only once awhile, he will go days wither any food besides breastmilk. I contacted Early Intervention , and they came to check on him couple of weeks ago and they didn’t find anything wrong with him. He is on time with all milestones and even above average with some.. My pediatrician and few people suggested to cut on breastfeeding, leave him with my husband so he will get hungry and eat , and this gonna give him kick towards eating solids. But i really dont think its a good advice to take away only source of nutrition for him. Im so lost , Im exhausted and frustrated. He barely gains any weight, barely 2lb since 9th month check up.. PLEASE HELP, I dont know what to do… I thought that maybe its sensory but he doesn’t mind playing with food, getting dirty, he tried many textures without problems, he will make grimace but he will finish the bite. Yogurt, bread , cheese, chicken ,vegetables, fruits, crackers,. But its always 2-3 bites and he is done. he doesn’t gag, he can blow bubbles, he used straw when he was 9 months old, he can use whistle, I bought him chewy tubes to exercise , but i just dont know what else to do… Please help me ASAP.
I’d check out this post it’s really helpful:
Then, I wouldn’t take away breastfeeding, but I would stop on demand. I’d set up a schedule similar to this:
Get started there, its a lot of info and I think is just what you need:)
Thank You Alisha ! But the link isn’t visible ? Could you please attach it again for me , I got so excited that I’m getting some advice and then I don’t see the link ? Thank you so much !
Alisha , still waiting for the links, sorry I’m just so anxious and can’t wait to see them to help my little one… Thank You!
I’m so sorry, I just saw this! I don’t know why the links didn’t work.
Here it is though: https://yourkidstable.com/toddler-feeding-schedule/
I have a 3 year old as a baby he never put anything in his mouth, he never fed himself with a spoon still won’t now will only hand Feed himself, he barely eats he lives off pasta, will not eat any meats or vegetables or can’t hide it in food he knows its there, he won’t eat cereals or toast or sandwiches he won’t eat eggs or cheese he screams at food, the gp is refusing help as his weights ok at the moment he got refused a dietition health visitor won’t help
Oh I’m so sorry Kelly! That’s so frustrating. I’d check out my free workshop: yourkidstable.com/free
And also this post on how to get more help!
We’re thinking he has arfid Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder he has all the signs trying to get him diagnosed, we had very nasty arrogant doctor yesterday said it’s just fussy eating take away all his junk food and he will eat kept explaining he dosent eat junk foods the only junk food he has is pizza and chips that’s one of his safe foods so I can’t take that away from him, then he said give him the dinners he won’t eat he will probably refuse to eat for a day then next day he will be hungry and will eat it kept explaining Lucas won’t he will refuse to eat for days even weeks if he’s given foods he’s afraid of, he dosent eat any cakes or cookies seems a texture thing
Ahhh, I hate hearing that Kelly! I’m so glad you new better than to listen to that. Obviously this is more than fussy eating. Some doctors don’t understand extreme picky eating or ARFID.
Hi, I have a 10 month old daughter who will rarely take things to her mouth. She eats a variety of foods with no problem and accepts all textures. I’ve gotten her to eat a cookie on her own but almost always wants me to hold it for her. She’s only startng to crawl which I was also concerned about. We also went to the beach and she laughed when she touched the sand.
Is there something I should be doing different at this early age? I see you recommending a feeding evaluation to others in similar situations but we live in a small town in Mexico and there is no such thing available. I asked a child psychologist who said that it is not normal for her not to put things in her mouth and that I should take her to an early childhood development class. We have been going every saturday and the teacher who is also a psychologist says she believes there is nothing to be worried about, that she just needs time and it could be her personality. I’m confused…should I wait? should I worry?
I think you’re doing everything you can Yolanda, what a wonderful attentive mother you are!
I would absolutely continue to have her bring items to her mouth, even toys. Demonstrate, try to guide her arm towards her mouth, etc. This will help her make the connection. I also have another post that talks about self-feeding, I’d use the strategies I discuss there as well- pay attention to the messy baby food method!
My son is 20 months old and will only drink milk, puréed fruit pouches (only some) and he’ll eat cheesy puffs. Even as a baby 6months + he always gagged and just spat every type of food out. Anything else I give him he just over stuffs and keeps in his mouth until he gags or spits it all out. He also not talking at all, I don’t know if this is related. At times we are able to give him some foods but it’s very rare. We’ve tried cutting out the milk completely and even strict meal schedule. Still doesn’t work. Any ideas what’s wrong?
Hi Kim, everything you’re describing is something I’ve seen many times as a feeding therapist. I suspect that there may be some sensory related or oral motor issues going on that are affecting his eating. you can read more about that here.
But, I’d strongly suggest seeking out a feeding therapist. I know that sounds scary but it will be so helpful. Find out how to do that here.
Hi, my 9 month old has completely refused purees for about a month now. He takes table foods pretty well. He has a great pincer grasp. What he actually wants to eat varries quite a bit but I can always count on avocados. My problem is he doesn’t limit the amount he puts in his mouth. If I cut avocados into bite size pieces and put 4 on his plate he picks up each piece one after the other and stuffs them in his mouth until he gags. He doesn’t do this with food he doesn’t love. He also does it with turkey meatballs I make for him. I’ve stopped putting more food than a single bite on his plate at once and just reload after he swallows. Is this normal? Am I handling it the best way? Thanks!!
You’re handling it perfectly and yes it is normal. He should grow out of that, if he doesn’t then I’d talk to his doctor:) You’re doing great!
Hi!
My daughter just turned 1 this week and is having a hard time eating table food. I can tell she has a very bad gag reflex as she will gag when texture gets in her mouth. She eats pureed baby food good (except for this week, she is refusing to eat dinner which is unlike her) and is just now starting to eat puffs. Her daycare teacher gave her a small piece of toast today and she gagged and threw up everywhere. I told her pedi. I was concerned and have been telling her that for a few months now and she isn’t concerned. She is saying it’s a “texture thing and she will outgrow it.” While I do believe it could be texture, I’m very concerned. I can tell she knows how to chew, she just either flat out refuses table food or gags on it. I need advice!
Ashley I’d totally trust your instincts and look into early intervention (see the link above). If you’re in the states you don’t need a referral and can call and set this appointment up yourself.
My baby is 6 1/2 months old and has met all the recommended guidelines of starting solid foods. She even seemed very eager to start. Now that we have started introducing some, I’m feeling a little concerned. She will gag on every single bite and it is only pureed foods. Is she too young to be concerned? She’s only eaten pureed foods 5 times now. I feel concerned regardless, but I’m hoping she’s you’d enough for the gagging to be somewhat normal.
It is normal, I’d check with your pediatrician though, just to make sure nothing else is going on- if the gagging is happening all the time and it wasn’t initially.
So my 14 month old son will not eat any table foods other than crackers, chips, cookies, cheese-its, and goldfish. Pretty much anything crunchy. Anything else he will not even touch, and if i try to put it in his mouth for him he literally loses it and gags/ cries till he throws up. He eats purees like a champ, but only if i feed them to him. So not sure what is going on. He has no problem chewing and swallowing the crackers etc, he will literally shovel them in 3-or 4 at a time and chew and swallow them with no issues. So not sure why he wont eat anything else. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kara, you need to head over to my post on transitioning to table foods, you’ll get lots of strategies there!
Hello. My almost 3 year old will only eat white rice,apples, candy and chocolates. She spits out the tiniest bits of anything else i try to camouflage in her food like carrots. She has no interest in toddler friendly foods like cake, waffles,pancakes or fruits either. Is this just a picky eater or is there an issue here.
It sounds like there may be some other factors at play here. I have a post on 5 reasons kids don’t eat that may help you get to the bottom of it!
Hi Alisha, just as many parents here I am facing a similar issue with my daughter. She is 14 months old now and does not feed herself ( she takes the food in her hand, she plays with it for a while and then throws it all on the floor no matter how much I show her to eat it). She also does not eat finger food. At 7 months she was eating solids and I started giving her finger foods, she loved it, she would hold and put in her mouth. She didn’t chew though, she didn’t have any teeth and as a first time parents I was worried so I started putting the fruits in the those pacifier looking things with holes, she would hold it and bite on it so the juices would out. then About 9 months she her first teeth started coming out and she would hold and chew on anything she could. I started giving her the next stage solids and she gagged a bit but she was ok, she would eat anything I gave her. But I never gave her puffs or teething cookies (which I regret now because she would’ve ate it). Before 12 months she refused eating any solids, even her favorites, nothing but milk. For about a week or two, then she came back to solids. But she still refuses to finger foods, she turns away if I try to give it to her and she will not take it herself. Even puffs or cookies, she takes it to play and throws it. She will feed me, she likes tat routine 🙂 but the moment I say or show her to put in her mouths it’s a tragedy! Just recently she started to take interest in my food, so she will come and bite a banana or a cookie if I’m eating it. It only works for few foods. She’s doesn’t chew well, she tries to swallow it unless I place the food right in the front of her mouth. I smash our table food for her so it is smaller and softer but it has some pieces in there she has to chew and she will eat it but then again she doesn’t really chew it, seems like she is lazy sometimes. I’m kind of worries, seeing that she was able to do it before and had interest and now she changed I’m wondering if it is behavioral and requires a right approach or it is some type of oral/sensory issue. Honestly she doesn’t seem all that interest in food now. At 7 months she would grab everything from me, anything I was eating and drinking she wanted to try and would be so happy eating it. I’m trying to figure out what changed and why.
Hi Irina, I know it can all be so confusing. It is rarely totally behavior. Check out this post on why kids don’t eat, I think that will be helpful. Also, a feeding eval would give you lots of peace of mind. See the link about for how to get free early intervention through your state:) Wishing you the best.
I’m not sure if this is the right group for this, but I’m hoping maybe someone here will be able to give me some insight. My 2 year old autistic son with sensory issues, Zach, has been suffering for months with rashes, which, as my wife has previously stated, we’ve found to be caused by food allergies of Soy, Eggs, Dairy, and cashew. Thankfully his skin is almost completely cleared after eliminating those items from his diet completely. But there is another issue that is plaguing him that has slowly creeped into the forefront, to the point where it is now causing a life threatening risk daily.
I’ll give a brief history first. When he was a baby he was on an apnia monitor for over six months and they thought he had something they called a “floppy airway”, I don’t remember the exact term but that was the gist of it. We survived the experience and they said he “grew out of it.”
Now fast forward to around his second birthday about 4 months ago and I started to notice that he was having issues coughing frequently when he drinks a bottle, no different than when people are drinking and sometimes it “goes down the wrong pipe”, and we cough a little bit. That problem started to become the norm for him, and he started constantly wanting bottles of milk or water throughout the day, so of course the issue increased in frequency as he drank more often.
Now lately over the past month or so he constantly wants to be drinking, literally as soon as he finishes a drink he wants another one and will literally throw a fit until he gets one, no matter how long I try to hold out, and the coughing problem has extended to eating. Every single meal he eats, other than something soft like soggy cereal, oatmeal, etc, he would cough, like his food almost went down the wrong pipe. It is now at the point where at least once everyday he actually chokes (yes I know the difference between coughing and choking) where he cannot breathe at all and with me frantically trying to pat his back and him making vomiting gagging sounds he is finally able to project the food out of his throat. This is happening with anything that is not soft, even things that he has never had a problem with before, like fruit snacks. Even when I break his food up into tiny bite sizes it still happens. And now he has also begun avoiding putting food into the front of his mouth at all and actually forces food into his mouth through the furthest back side of his mouth as he can.
There are people who have told me that I am overreacting, but I am a very logical and analytical person by nature, and the facts are the facts that this is a problem, I just can’t put a name to it and I can’t seem to get healthcare providers to take it seriously because they aren’t there every single day to see the panicked look on his face when he cannot breathe and cannot get the food out of his airway. I am terrified that one of these times he’s not going to be able to get the food out of his airway and I’m going to lose my precious son. I could not go on living after that, I just don’t see how I could without him. I desperately need help and advice because mealtime, for me, is a traumatizing event, quite literally, and I honestly fear if each meal may be his last. My son is on Medicaid, unfortunately, and that is the worst crap treatment in existence. It seems like the pediatricians here in Orlando who service Medicaid children could care less about anything other than getting their bare minimum payment from Medicaid for “seeing” my son. So there’s not much help there, despite how many times I’ve changed pediatricians, hoping to find someone who really knows what they are doing. I literally can’t sleep at night because of how afraid I am because of this choking issue my son has, which is why I’m up now at 3am typing this post while the rest of my family are sound asleep.
Addition: I should add that he was also diagnosed with a severe allergy to dust mites, and so of course we immediately went through the entire house Tuesday and dusted every single surface with the dust wands that make the dust stick to them, literally every single square inch of the house. Plus used dust mite spray on the mattresses per the instructions, and also washed linens and clothes in hot water. Then went and bought the most expensive air filters you can buy for the AC. Not sure if that may have made it worse by stirring up more mites and irritating his throat? I may not have thought that one through well?
Please, if there is anyone here who has ever experienced anything like what is happening with my son, or if you know anyone who may be able to give some insight into this, can you share?
Thank you in advance for your time and thoughts.
Hi David, I think you are very right to be concerned about this, and there a few different things that could be going on. I would google feeding therapy for orlando and directly call some places, tell them your situation. He should get a barium swallow to make sure he isn’t aspirating (going into his lungs), this is usually done by a speech therapist, but any feeding therapist would recommend it.
I’d also use a sippy cup with a valve because it slows the water down which will help him control the swallow better. I hope that helps!
Hi Alisha. My son is 15 months old and just does not chew his food. Although he’s got an entire mouth full of teeth and molars, he still sucks on his food and takes forever to swallow one bite. If the food has the slightest texture, he will just spit it out and refuses to eat further. He will bite from a cookie for an example but then just sucks on it until it dissolved completely. Porridge and yogurt are the only things he will eat without any fuss. Should I take him to a speech or eat therapist?
I think it would be a good idea Clarissa! Some kids just need a little extra help and it can make a huge difference! This article will give you some strategies you can start using right now.
Hi Alisha,
Such an informative blog !
My daughter will be one in a week and she has been refusing to be fed by spoon from a month now. Earlier she was being fed mashed food by spoon along with some finger food. But right now, she flatly refuses the spoon at home. However she eats at the childcare with the spoon.
I have started to offer her more fingers foods at home, but soft things like steamed vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato etc., she would pick up but mash it before feeding herself. She hates broccoli and in veggie she would only eat boiled corn but she doesn’t chew it, just gulps it down. In fruits, she hates banana but might chew on apple, strawberries and blueberries.
I also do offer her some flatbread kneaded with pureed veggies, she would eat some but then starts to throw it from her tray. If I try and feed her small bits and pieces, she would grab that piece from her mouth to see what it is…if she likes it she might it or else throw it away.
She has dropped a lot of weight in the past month, and I am at my wits end to feed her.I am not sure what to do, I don’t know if she has sensory issues that need to be addressed.
Please help
Hi Divya! I want you to head to how to transition to table foods. I think this will be VERY helpful, there’s two parts. Take a look there and at the comments, if you have more questions let me know!
My 1 year old, gags when eating certain foods, it is as if she just swallows it. She gags off stage 3 baby food. It is frustrating, feeding is a chore. I feel bad when this happens, what should I do, to make meals more enjoyable.
Skip stage 3 foods, the chunks are so problematic for a lot of kids! Also check out how to transition to table foods, I think that will be just what you need!
Hi Alisha,
I have an almost two year old who will not feed himself. Weve had a long hard road with solids. As an infant he had terrible reflux, enough so we had to put him on Nexium. Fast forward and he didn’t eat any solids until 14months old, anytime before that, anything with texture would cause him to gag until he threw up. We had him evaluated by EI (Texas) at 16 months old. He qualified for services but in Texas its income based and was going to be $700 a month, food was the only area he qualified in. Now he will eat anything pretty much, as long as it’s fed to him. Do you have any techniques or ideas I could incorporate to get him to feed hisself? I forgot to add he also doesn’t put things in his mouth except blankets lol. The EI OT told me that was most likely due to his reflux and that he associated things in him mouth with pain :(. Please help!
Hi Jaclyn! You guys have had quite a journey, so glad you reached out! I have a whole post on teaching self feeding here and I have a post on oral sensory that I think will also be very helpful! Check those out and let me know if you have more questions!
My daughter will be one in a week and she will eat lots of different foods (baby food, eggs, meat, bananas, etc.) how much varies but usually 4-8 oz of baby food plus some finger foods and lots of nursing. She never took a bottle or a pacifier and she doesn’t put stuff in her mouth unless her teeth hurt really badly. She can pick the food up and will even put it in my mouth but not hers. She used to get mad when I’d try to guide her hand and now she just drops the food before I can get her hand to her mouth. I did finally get her to use a straw cup on her own though. She has no problem getting messy and gets very excited about the food and mad if I don’t feed her. Not sure if I should be worried or if she just likes being fed.
Hmm Katherine, it’s hard to say. It could just be a phase she’s going through, or that she’s not ready. I’d keep trying, consistently, and if you don’t see the progress in the next month or so consider getting an evaluation with early intervention. It’s free and they come right to your home! Check it out here.
I’d also check out this article on transitioning to table food I think might have some helpful insights in it for you!
hi i don’t know if you remember me but at the end of my post i will paste a copy of the first time i ask you for advise, my son is now 23 months old since he got 19 months i notice progress in his chew and eating habits ( he will chew more spit less and staring use his tongue to move food inside his mouth) now he eats ans swallow crackers, pretzel, Gerber puff, bananas, watermelon,muffins, but i can make he eats cold cuts or cheese ( i just staring given to him 4 days ago) he chew it a little bit and spit them i don’t know what Cain of cheese or cold cut you recommend and how should i give to him, i was given to him in slides is that the best way to go???? thanks for you help.
Rosa A. on February 16, 2017 at 8:55 pm
hi mi son is 18 months old i did’n give him finger food until he was 14 months , he eats everything i give him ( usually pure with rice and very little chicken ,fish or beef pieces i mix it up in the spoon and i give him pasta with a lot sauce ) but when he it finger food ( Gerber Puff, kookes, pretzels , bread, bananas, apples) he chew it and them spit it out i saw the sometimes he can not spit all and them he will swallow, what can i do to help him?
I’d cut them into small squares, a little bigger than the the size of a puff. Thicker cheese and deli meat will be better than thin because he can feel it and bite into it a bit. You can ask for very thick cuts at the deli or get a block and cut it yourself.
Way to go on the progress, that’s wonderful Rosa!!!
Hello, I have a 14 month old daughter who I am trying to transition to finger/table foods. I’m not sure if the problem is with me or my daughter, or both. I can’t seem to get over my extreme fear of her choking, and I can’t figure out how to transition to bigger pieces of soft foods. She also doesn’t seem interested in picking up pieces of food unless they are bigger, and I don’t know if she can handle those yet. The food that she does get in her mouth often times just collects in the back of her mouth until she has a drink of water. I’m confused and overwhelmed!
Hey Kristin, the transition to table foods can be really overwhelming, truly! Check out these tutorials first, I think they’ll be really helpful. Make sure you’re following all the steps. I’d also give her small pieces (stick shaped is okay too as long as she’s able to chew it), help her eat it if need be. Always have some on her tray for her to try and pick up though. Some stuffing and some gagging is normal, but if its constant and she has a hard time actually eating then you may want to look at an evaluation (don’t let that scare you though)! Take a look at that link and let me know what you think!
Hi! I have a 15 month old which I am trying to figure out if he is just a picky eater or a problem feeder. He has never had any weight issues. He has always been on the chunkier side. When he was about 10 months old, he went through a phase for about 2 months where he would throw up if a non-puree texture even touched his lip. He grew out of that (thank goodness!). He now has a very limited diet. He will only eat baby food purees for vegetables. Refuses to eat them whole. He will not eat cheese, meat, bread, pasta, rice, or eggs. We have always had a hard time trying to get him to drink water out of a sippee cup (we have tried 10 different types). His normal daily food intake consists of vegetable purees, yogurt, fresh fruit (he will eat almost any kind), cheerios/crackers, or baby oatmeal. He loves milk but we recently went cold turkey on his bottles and now he refuses to drink it out of a sippee cup. We are getting so frustrated and I am just not sure what to do anymore. I feel like the other kids at his daycare are so much more advanced in eating / drinking. Do you think he needs feeding therapy?
Also, just to add…when we offer him new foods to try, most of the time he won’t even try the food. He will feel it in his hand and then throw it across the table. It is very rare that he will put unfamiliar foods in his mouth.
Hey Amanda, I totally get how frustrating this is, truly. I think that a feeding eval would be a great idea, and I know that sounds scary, but it truly isn’t. And, if you think of it like, you’ll know for sure if he needs more help then its worth it. Also, did you see the free picky eating workshop, I’m doing two live next week? I know you may not consider him a picky eater per say, but everything I’m teaching is totally applicable! Plus, you can ask me questions live about your kiddo after listening! You can sign up here.
Hi,lm Oshadhi, my one year old is refusing her food now and even starts crying when we try to feed her. When we allow her to feed herself she just make it a complete mess but hardly eats anything. She is loosing weight also. Please help. Thanks
Hi Oshandhi, is there anything that she does eat consistently? What type of food is it? Is it crunchy, smooth, etc.? Whatever that is I would start there and try to offer other foods that are similar. I don’t want to overwhelm you, but there is a lot of info on this site and if you click here it will take you to a reading list in the best order to get started. Take a look at that and let me know if you have more questions!
I have a 20 month old that has never really chewed on things and will eat pasta like there’s no tomorrow. He’s also able to eat most of the Gerber graduate foods that he likes mainly the pastas and the mashed potatoes. The problem is that he does not feed himself and is still not eat anything that isn’t soft. Daddy and I are getting very worried and frustrated. He vomits and gags A LOT. He does like brushing teeth though. I’m very lost at what to do. Help!
Hey Kristen, do you see him chewing the soft things? I know this sounds crazy, but I’d look at my posts on transitioning to table foods– you’ll want to follow those steps even though he’s older. Make sure you brush his teeth far in the back and on the side of his tongue.
Also, would you consider a feeding evaluation, it could be very helpful and get you guys on track quickly. If you’re in the states you can even get a free one. You can learn more about feeding therapy here.
Let me know if you have more questions, or need more help!
hi mi son is 18 months old i did’n give him finger food until he was 14 months , he eats everything i give him ( usually pure with rice and very little chicken ,fish or beef pieces i mix it up in the spoon and i give him pasta with a lot sauce ) but when he it finger food ( Gerber Puff, kookes, pretzels , bread, bananas, apples) he chew it and them spit it out i saw the sometimes he can not spit all and them he will swallow, what can i do to help him?
Sometimes giving him a drink, right as he is about to swallow it and spit it out is helpful. Tell him to swallow to reinforce what he should be doing. This will take a lot of practice. I’d also read how to transition to table foods– I give you all my steps to help you through that.
My son doesn’t seem to have any of these red flags. He is 2 1/2 and a terrible eater. He is currently in speech therapy. The therapist has heard my troubles with getting him to eat. He’s small, only 27 lbs. She thinks that he may have a weak jaw and some sensory difficulties with certain textures. I want to get him to eat real food. Currently the only meat he will eat is chicken nuggets and only from certain places, tenders are a no go. He flat out refuses to eat the majority of foods we offer. No idea what to do next. They are going to try to add OT therapy to his course of treatment, but I can’t get that until the end of July. Trying to find things to do now. He was an avid pacifier user. We recently moved that to bed only, which has been a struggle. Thinking the weak jaw muscles & drooling were from that. Thanks for the articles!
Right, this isn’t a comprehensive list… I want to send you the start here tab in the menu bar. I have guides laid out in step by step strategies that I think will be really helpful. I don’t get into specific exercises. Also see the article index, which is under start here and look for the post on getting you kid to eat meat. You’ll find some tips there and a great recipe that you may have some success with! Let me know how it goes and if you have more questions!
I am so glad I stumbled upon your website. We have a 13 month old who has become a terrible eater. She would just drink milk all day if she could. Lately we are having the issue where she is very interested in table food (which she ate previously) and 3/4 of it just ends up spit out or on the floor. She is also falling off the charts with her weight and has never been one to eat large amounts of food in one sitting. Can this be a sign of teething or something if it comes on suddenly? I’m not sure if we need to work with her more or wait it out.
Hi Natalie, it is so common for children at this age to become picky! I have a post coming out in two weeks that is going to address all these issues so make sure you sign up for the newsletter if you haven’t already. I will say that it is really important to follow the basics, which you can find by clicking on start here in the menu bar. This is a tough age and while I don’t want you to cater to her, you have a little wiggle room to offer her a few different foods. Is there anything that she eats regularly or at least some of the time? Make sure at least one of those foods are always present. Try not to pressure her and keep it fun. Demonstrate wheat you want her to do in a fun way, play. Try to keep milk for her meals or just after and also try to stay at 16-18 ounces a day. I hope this helps for now! Let me know if you need more help!
This website is God sent! Thank you very much. I find it very helpful and informative. I have a 2.5 y/o son who was just diagnosed with ASD. He’s still on the bottle (he can drink from a cup when he wants to, no straws) and his diet consists mostly of milk, which is the only liquid he drinks other than a little bit of water (which he tends to refuse or just play with). His solid food intake is very minimal and is very limited in variety. The only fruit he’d try right now is a banana. His favorite food is French fries. Other foods he would eat are crackers, sweet bread, rice and clear soup/broth and Cheetos and yogurt ( though tomorrow, when presented with these foods, he might respond like he’s never had them before and would refuse to even try to taste them…except French fries). He doesn’t eat any meat or vegetables. How can I get him to eat more “real food” and wean him off the bottle and so much milk? I get so frustrated feeding him sometimes it makes me cry. 🙁
Oh my gosh Ruby, yes I totally I got it. I want you to start with a really strict schedule, meals every 3 hours. Head over to the eating tab in the menu bar and start with those strategies. You can also see the articles tab for posts on how to wean from the bottle and schedules. Because of his sensory needs he may need the sucking of the bottle so you’ll want to wean slowly and give him other opportunities to meet these sensory needs like through a chewy necklace or other items he can suck on. Take a look at those posts and let me know if you have more questions!
My son is 1 years old and he really only eats jarred food(not sure on the spelling). He will put puffs and other finger foods in his mouth, munches and I think chews but then he spits it out! I don’t think he is actually chewing! He is also picky on his jarred food! He sometimes only takes a few bites and then refuses! I have to distract him with other finger foods to play with before he will eat the jarred food! I am a first time mother and I feel like I have taught him not to eat somehow or I have allowed him to think that this is normal! Or I just did something wrong! I don’t know what to do!!
Abby, I know it is hard not to, but please don’t blame yourself, I’d be willing to be something is else is going on, and it might not be that big of a deal, but I would highly recommend getting him looked at in a feeding evaluation. Follow the steps in this post, occasionally parents don’t feel like they get the answers they need, if that happens try other therapists or facilities. There is no pressure at all, but I’m here for consults too if you want to talk to someone quickly and get to the bottom of what is going on. Let me know if you need more help with any of this!
Hi I have an 11 month old who suffers with bad reflux she won’t eat any solids whether it’s finger food textured food purée food nothing she gags after one spoon full an doesn’t eat at all she isn’t underweight she drinks her milk but I’m so worried please help
Hi Natalie, is she on medication, if this is truly just from reflux (there could be other reasons, see this post), I’d definitely get this managed with her pediatrician or a pediatric GI first. If she’s in pain its really hard to move forward.
Hi,
My 17 month old has suddenly stopped having any solid food including puree, if I try to bring spoon near her she shouts , if we forcefully put any solid food in mouth she spits, it’s been 2 weeks she w just having milk and juices, she is active and happy but does not speak words babbling alot , makes eye contact and understands and follows whatever we say, any help and suggestions would be helpful
Hey!
Thanks for reaching out to us! So sorry your little one has quit eating, we understand how hard this can be. I’d try to look at what has changed recently when this started such as environment, does she seem to be teething, etc. Then I’d make sure to take a no pressure approach to each back into eating of the foods. We have a free workshop with some tips that I think would help for you to follow at this time. You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
Hello,
I have a 18 month old son who refuses anything but cookies, chips, muffins.. no veggies or fruits and refuses anything I make for dinner. Won’t eat cheese or eggs no meat and rarely milk. I’m exhausted from trying to get him to eat and being turned down. The doctor told me he’s not growing and he needs to eat! What do I do? Any ideas I’m beginning to worry
Hey, thanks for reaching out!
We understand how hard it is when your little one is not eating meals that you are providing. I’d try to see if you can get him engaged in touching of the foods that you are providing and completing some play (outside of mealtimes) to help peek his interest in foods. This is the first step to eating. We do have a free workshop as well that will walk you through some tips for picky eating. You can save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
I’d love to get some advice! My 2 year old will only eat chips and crackers. Has a breakdown if I try and feed her something with a spoon or fork. She also gags when watching me eat! She always tries to find metal to put in her mouth being a necklace or keys or whatever!
Hi Cameron, I’d start with the How to Transition to Table Foods article (see the link in the post). I know he may seem too old for that, but I’d follow the steps because it seems like she hasn’t learned how to chew or tolerate a variety of textures. Also, if your in the states see the link for early intervention, I’d give them a call!
Hey I have a 10month old, exclusive breast fed. She will not eat any foods unless mixed into her bottle. She will puke if she gets any food in her mouth. I’ve tried every kinda food I can think of.
Hey Tanya,
We understand how hard this transition can be! I’d work on trying to get Tanya to play in some pureed food, get messy with it. Touching is the first step to eating. This may help with working on the transition to getting it into her mouth. Also, we do have a free workshop that would be helpful, full of tips for working on eating at this age. You can save your seat here
Best,
Desiree