11 months no solid foods 4 teeth

Tina - posted on 01/23/2010

You can't. This must be the mother's choice. You can ask if it would be OK to give her child the same things you are feeding yours, but if she says no, you should respect it. There may be an issue you don't know about (she might not be comfortable telling you).

My 10 month old only eats solids, but it was MY decision to do so. I started with eggs, cooked veggies, and mashed potaotes. I didn't give my son solids this early. He just wasn't ready.

Jennifer - posted on 01/21/2010

I have received information from Strong Moms Strong Babies and The Huggie Baby Network and other folks - and they all say that giving the baby a variety of foods and textures is what is important. There are only a few foods that you need to stay away from once your baby is over 10 months, or so. Mainly nuts/peanuts and citrus. Maybe you can sign her up for one of those folks email newsletters or something....??

Regina - posted on 01/21/2010

Kari, leave the decision making of introducing solid foods to that child's mother. You are not her mother and have absolutely no say so in this matter unless otherwise asked. That child is still getting all the nutrients she needs in her baby food. Not only are you being deceiving and dishonest, but you could also feed that child a food of which she is highly allergic to. Making suggestions is one thing, but going behind that woman's back is something else. Also, by you giving her food, or trying to give her food, you could cause her not to eat as much at home. And this is also a 'first' that you are taking away from this mother, her baby's 'first' taste of solid food should be given by her so she, the mother, can have that moment with her daughter, not you.

Bronia - posted on 01/20/2010

my daughter is 11 1/2 months old and only eats solids and she has 5 teeth. about a month ago she starting refusing to eat puree's so I had no choice to put her on solids. She loves it and is doing great. Just make sure everything is cut up really smal and she should do fine.

Kary - posted on 01/19/2010

well, i am a mother of a 11 1/2 mth. old daughter, and the only thing she eats is baby food, cereal, and oatmeal. I'm terrified of giving her solids too. She only has 2 teeth on the bottom and 1 on the top, so i thought when she gets more teeth i will give some solids. Am I being too scared???? Should i be giving her solids with so little teeth??? Please give me some feedback moms..... thanks!!

Valerie - posted on 01/18/2010

The mother also may not be trained in the heimlich maneuver or infant CPR and thus is uncomfortable with putting her baby in a situation that may result in choking. She would not know what to do in that situation. Maybe you could suggest taking the class with her and getting certified. Every parent should be certified. Especially when a child is experimenting with solid foods. It is very important in her development that this baby start experimenting with different textures, and there are baby foods out there (stage 3 foods) that provide new textures safely. Suggest to your friend that she experiment with these and encourage her to let her baby hold the spoon herself or even dip her hand in a bowl of baby food. This will get her ready for table foods without you going against her mothers wishes.

Aderonke - posted on 01/18/2010

don't give up, keep trying, the child is refusing because she's not use to the new system. it will take a while to adjust to ths.

Lacey - posted on 01/18/2010

My first response is Doesn't her Dr talk to her about giving her baby foods? Then the next thing would be is to maybe recommend a Fresh Food Feeder. Nuby makes a great one that has replaceable bags. Check it out on Diapers.com or Amazon.com Munchkin also makes one too but the bags are not replaceable. You can get those from Target or Walmart. My Son started with one of those because he was not able to rip off big pieces and choke. See if that helps.

Shereen - posted on 01/18/2010

As you can tell everybody does have their own opinions and yes it is really upto the mother but it will help if she does introduce different foods to her as it will help her develop her imune system and wont be as much of a fussy eater when the child is older

Jennifer - posted on 01/18/2010

I would say nothing and I would stop giving her food that your friend doesn't want her baby to have. She is the mommy. I have 2 kids....one that started table food at 12 months and one that started at 9 months. They are both doing great. The baby will be fine whether she eats solids this week or 2 months from now. Its sort of like walking....who really cares when they do it....eventually they all get there. Its not worth damaging your friendship.

Shereen - posted on 01/18/2010

try her with puree'd food like fruit she needs it to help her growth and to help her imune system build up. All babies at first gag a bit when introduecd with new food just explain to her it is important that she does get her daughter on solids otherwise it couls affect her in the long run, hope this helps :D

Jenii - posted on 01/18/2010

I say, it is up to the mother. My baby is 11 months and has no teeth yet. I follow what her doctor instructs (formula and baby food) not what friends and family say. The input is nice at times for "food for thought" but ultimately I follow doctors orders and MY gut as her mother. You could be doing more damage to your friendship than anything else. Let your friend make her own decisions and respect those decisions - like them or not. Else risk damaging your friendship. Good luck!

Amber - posted on 01/18/2010

You can keep practicing with the child..But it is really up to the mother..Just tell her that you tried a few soft foods and that the child did pretty well on them..Then leave the options up to her wheather or not she wants to try the baby on solid foods.. I was the same way..My daughter gagged and was not interested in textures and she had 8 teeth....She finally tried more solid stuff, but we still break it down for her so that she doesn't choke as easy......

Laura - posted on 01/17/2010

Hi Kari
My son is 11 months and like urs is mostly on solids my public health nurse told me its very important for them to learn to chew food because its helps with there speach development...

CJ - posted on 01/17/2010

My daughter is also 11 months, and I have a friend who's daughter is 10 months. She won't feed her daughter solid foods either. She believes that she's not ready because she has yet to get any teeth (even though those first teeth aren't generally used to chew). I'd have to say if I were you I'd maybe leave some information about it for her, just so she's informed. But it is her child and her choice. I'm kind of surprised her pediatrician hasn't said anything about it, mine was quite happy at our last appointment to hear that my daughter very rarely eats baby food anymore and is feeding herself finger foods. You could just casually bring up how nice it is now that your daughter is eating solids that you have to buy less formula, I know it's been nice for me not having to spend as much on formula now that my daughter is drinking less of it.

Christina - posted on 01/16/2010

My Daughter is just turning 11 months and cutting her second tooth!! I have just started introducing some solids like cherrio's and kix's The baby puffs and crunchies that they have out there but nothing to serious!!!

Anne-Marie - posted on 01/16/2010

Do not feed that baby.. it is not your baby. What would you do if this child has a allergic reaction to something you gave them. You can try giving her some "baby food" that you have outgrown. In other words, go buy some food for her daughter and say "I was clearing out my cabinet and thought you could use these when you are ready". Sometimes the temptation of having something available might encourage her to try. I have to stress that it is none of your business,

Laura - posted on 01/15/2010

I talked to my pediatrician a few months ago about finger foods. They said they were essential to developing fine motor skills. The variety didn't matter as much as the fact that it helps with that development.

That's just another reason... the mom could try some Os that will dissolve in bany's mouth. Not much of a choking hazard there! :)

Jenny - posted on 01/14/2010

Babies up to a year old get all the nutrients they need from their formula or breast milk. Feeding solid foods, and even baby foods, to younger babies is really to introduce those new textures and flavors, not for the nutrition. I agree with Sara ... whatever the mom's reasons, she's doing what's right for her and her baby. Without coming right out and telling her she should be doing something different, why not share a fun story about your child's experiences? That could be a non-threatening way to let the other mom know it's okay to introduce some solids. If there were a nutritional/weight gain issue, I'm certain the pediatrician would say something.

Hope this helps.

Bethany - posted on 01/14/2010

even if you did give her somehting without telling, if she's anything like my daughter, it'll just show up in her poos anyway, and then the mum would know anyway.

Allisha - posted on 01/14/2010

point out that her baby probably drinks more formula/milk than normal because she is hungry (if the baby does) and at some point she will grow up and need to be able to eat table food but eating solid food is a learned skill like walking and talking if the baby puts things in her mouth to chew on she will pick up stuff automatically try leaving stuff on a tray in front of her like biter biscuits big enough for her to grab but not small enough to choke on hope that helps

Sara - posted on 01/14/2010

I have to agree with those who said that you shouldn't say anything. My second daughter is almost a year old and I give her a good mixture of "grown up food" along with her baby food. My first daughter, who is 2 1/2, did not have anything besides baby food until she was a year (except a little banana or things like that). I was like your neighbor and did not want her to choke. Also I thought it was much healthier for her to eat only the fruits and vegetables that I knew didn't have all the added sugar that other foods have. Anyway, whatever her reason is I don't think she is hurting the child by waiting. Eventually she will allow her to eat more things and she will be fine, as long as she is eating something and she isn't losing weight I don't see a problem.

Dawn - posted on 01/14/2010

Randi said: "I would hate to say give her food and not say anything but what she doesnt know wont hurt her. As a mom that probably is terrible advice but its not like you are doing something to harm the child."

That is terrible advice...how would you like to find out someone was giving/doing something to your child without your permission/knowledge.

Randi Said: "Or maybe make a point of giving your daughter something very grown up to eat in front of her to maybe give her some confidence??"

This is smart advice....when you mention to her your concerns you can show her how your daughter does with eating "big people" foods.

The safest advice is from Renee and Melissa.....dont' even bring this up; mothers place is to do what is right for HER child.

Renee - posted on 01/14/2010

I tend to agree with the not saying anything. If it were my best friend I would ask a bunch of questions and try to talk about it. If it were just a friend I would let it be. Especially if the baby is thriving and doing well. Solids before one are for experiment only anyway. Doesn't matter if the kid is breastfed or formula fed. After one is when they are supposed to start transitioning to more solids and less milk.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Also if you offer foods you might want to make sure that there is not a family history of allergies. I would be mortified if someone gave my son foods with all the allergies we have.

Melissa - posted on 01/14/2010

I wouldn't say anything. It's not YOUR baby, so therefore not your decision.

Randi - posted on 01/13/2010

As someone that has family that likes to give their 2 cents often, my advice would be to watch what you say. I hate being told what they think I should be doing. Only you know your friend. I would hate to say give her food and not say anything but what she doesnt know wont hurt her. As a mom that probably is terrible advice but its not like you are doing something to harm the child. Or maybe make a point of giving your daughter something very grown up to eat in front of her to maybe give her some confidence??

Tiah - posted on 01/13/2010

tell her straight up that it is essentil for proper growth and development that the child starts solids. be tactful and choose foods as you know that wont gag the babe.. baby food is realy just an easy way out for us parents instead of making it ourselves..! my bb really detests baby food. she likes to explore with her hands.. (ears, hair.. haha).

Bethany - posted on 01/13/2010

Explain to her the difference between gagging and choking.

Gagging is a natural reflex that protects us from choking. Babies need to experiment with little bits of soft food to practice gagging, and learning how big something is to be swallowed. Gagging is loud, and coughing and sometimes a little vomit if the food gets further down. It is healthy and our reaction needs to be stand back and encourage.

Choking is quiet, with a panic look and sometimes a little sound like, well, like choking. Our reaction needs to be first aid, whatever they're recommending these days, it keeps changing, but usually a firm slap between the shoulder blades, this has worked for me the few times Charlotte has choked on something.

Encourage your friend to try little pieces of banana, well cooked sweet potato, steamed pear pieces, little fingernail size. Put them infront of the child and just wait. If she's hungry, and a kid, she'll eventually put it in her mouth. No rushing.

I was terrified of Charlotte choking, and I still sit right in front of her almost all the time if she's eating. But she is learning what not to swallow, and how much to chew. She has three teeth, and eats what ever I'm having most of the time, just in little pieces. She still gags on meat, but that's ok, she's still only little. As the mother's confidence grows, she'll get less scared. It's good she has another mum so close.

But really, is the kid going to be spoon fed by school age, probably not, so make sure you respect the mother's choices too, and her pace of doing things. Let her check out the literature on Baby Led Weaning (BLW) on the net.

Dawn - posted on 01/12/2010

i would find an article about this and leave it or suggest it to her,,,I would be cautious though about giving her baby anything she is not comforable with, this could cause serious problems with your friendship.