Anyone else NOT feeding their 8.5 month old table food?

Mendy - posted on 04/19/2009

I just started the stage 3 with my son. But he gags alot so I end up massing it a little with a fork. We also tried the yogurt bites from Gerber and he gagged on those also. He does fine with the stage 3 fruit just not the dinners. We are holding off table food until he can master the stage 3 food. This is my third baby. My other two are alot older so I feel like I am a new mommy again.

Jennifer - posted on 04/19/2009

My baby is 8.5 months old and this is my second girl. She is eating stage 2 baby food and no table food yet either. She has a 8oz. bottle at 4:00am(because I have to go to work, so I feed her before I drop the girls off at the babysitter in the morning) then she has a stage 2 breakfast( either a fruit or cereal) and a 5oz bottle with that. Around 12:00noon she will have another 8oz bottle and then for dinner around 4:00pm another stage 2 dinner with a 5oz. bottle. Her last bottle(8oz.) for the day is around 8-8:30pm and then she's in bed by 9:00pm and sleeps all night. The weekends it's the same schedule except for the 4:00am feeding. The doctor says she's growing great and I don't think I will put her on table food til she turns 1 yr. old and doesn't need her formula anymore. If I remember correctly I have a chart that says 7-9months they should still be getting about 21-32oz. of formula per day, and 9-12 months should get 21-24 oz per day. Hope this will help you a little.

Meggan - posted on 04/17/2009

No 1st time mom too afraid!!!

April - posted on 04/17/2009

I have recently found myself pulling out the "memory book " to check what my daughter was doing at the age of her 9 mth old brother Ryan , who for some reson seems behind on everything to me. She didn't have anything till 11 mths & it was mashed potatoes. I have tryed somethings like potatoes,scrambled eggs, & oatmeal-but I think for Ryan there is still to much flavor for him to get into it.

Kimberly - posted on 04/17/2009

My baby is 9 month today, but she was a preemie so developmentally she's around a 7 month old. I just started doing little bits of food so that she can do the pincher grasp. I was worried about choking too. I just bought a box of cheerios and tried some, they really do melt quickly in the mouth. Other foods she has gagged a little, but no gagging with the cheerios.
We went out to dinner last night and brought her bumbo with the tray (best invention for a baby!) with us, gave her the cheerios and she was entertained the whole time. It was great, plus we were entertained watching her pick up the cheerios.

Diana - posted on 04/17/2009

My little girl does not want table food. We have tried on several occasions & she cries, throws up & refuses to eat. She is eating baby food, cereals & formula. She is growing well but we don't know what we are going to do except keep trying.

April - posted on 04/16/2009

my doctor told me to wait till my son is 9 months too. my mom and sister are pushing me to give him table food. Am I wrong for not giving it to him too?

Jaclyn - posted on 04/13/2009

My daughter was born July 30.  I am still only giving my daughter stage 1 & 2.  I am not going to get anymore stage 1's and use 2 & 3.  I am slowly going to start working up to giving her table food.  I just started giving her a couple of the gerber puffs.  I want her to start getting used to more solid foods.  Wahtever you are comfortable with :)  good luck

Chantelle - posted on 04/11/2009

reading all these replys i feel my baby is so behind she is 9 months but wil not eat much solids at all wen i try her with breakfast she wilnt av any or dinner but at tea time she wil av a bit ov stage 2 n if im eatin she likes it if i break bits off n she like pom pom bears but is still avin 5-6 bottles a day

Karri - posted on 04/10/2009

Quoting Karri:

Quoting Jennifer:

I just feed my daughter baby food and little gerber snacks like the teething biscuits. I'm still too scared to give her table food. Her choking on something scares me more than anything. I keep reading posts where people say they are giving their baby's cheerios and toast and chicken... I am too much of a scaredy cat for that.

 

Same here.  McKinlee gets 2nd foods three times a day w/ three 8oz bottles..She also has the gerber snacks throughout the day..

I have let her have some real bananas and apples...

 She ate a few green beans last night and loved them!

Jacquie - posted on 04/10/2009

I held off as well until my daughter's nine month checkup.  I waited it out on lots of things such as meats and yogurt and now table food.  My little girl went for her check up yesterday and we were told she could start table foods so we gave ger some dry unsweetened cereal with her lunch when we got home and she was so excited.  And then she had some rice rusks, broken up, with her dinner.  I think she is enjoying the new tastes as well as the independence with the finger foods.  Take your time and try the new things slowly and just go with your baby.  She will let you know if she is ready or not.

Suzanne - posted on 04/10/2009

My daughter is 8 1/2 months as well, and she's not on table food. She's eating Stage 2 foods 3 times a day with cereal once a day. She also has 4 bottles a day. I plan to introduce finger food when she's 9 months old.

Marnae - posted on 04/09/2009

Quoting Megyn:

Quoting Marnae:

It's such a relief to read all of this.  I was hoping to wait until the 9 month check up as well.  I have been giving him lots of rice cereal and I've been pureeing organic veggies and fruits for him.  Planning to mash up avocados and bananas next.  I'm a first time mommy too and  totally freaked about the choking thing as well.  I also have been feeding him only organics, I know I can't continue in only this way forever, but it's hard to let it go :)  Anyway, he seems content with the food he's getting so I haven't pushed it.  I guess we too can wait to see what the dr says.  I have read some things about not introducing things like eggs and meat for a while also.  So we'll wait on that. I welcome any suggestions on organic/natural first finger foods. I'm just glad we're not alone in this.

We buy the Happy Belly brand organic puffs. My guy LOVES them, and they dissolve so quickly that there is very little risk of choking. We do strictly organics for our son too! It's hard, but worth it!

Thanks Megyn, it's not been too bad so far, but I can see it getting harder now with trying to add more table foods.  I will definitely check these out!

Marnae - posted on 04/09/2009

Quoting Megyn:

Quoting Marnae:

It's such a relief to read all of this.  I was hoping to wait until the 9 month check up as well.  I have been giving him lots of rice cereal and I've been pureeing organic veggies and fruits for him.  Planning to mash up avocados and bananas next.  I'm a first time mommy too and  totally freaked about the choking thing as well.  I also have been feeding him only organics, I know I can't continue in only this way forever, but it's hard to let it go :)  Anyway, he seems content with the food he's getting so I haven't pushed it.  I guess we too can wait to see what the dr says.  I have read some things about not introducing things like eggs and meat for a while also.  So we'll wait on that. I welcome any suggestions on organic/natural first finger foods. I'm just glad we're not alone in this.

We buy the Happy Belly brand organic puffs. My guy LOVES them, and they dissolve so quickly that there is very little risk of choking. We do strictly organics for our son too! It's hard, but worth it!

Thanks Megyn, it's not been too bad so far, but I can see it getting harder now with trying to add more table foods.  I will definitely check these out!

Ricksteph - posted on 04/09/2009

my daughter will be 9months on april 13, she eats EVERYTHING! she never really liked baby food and ever since 6months we started giving her more table foods. she only has 2 little teeth so we have to be careful not to give her anything to big, she eats the gerber puffs, the vege cheeto things they have, baby freeze dried yogurts, the toddler dinners like mac and cheese with chicken and veges, spag o's, and most of the foods we eat at dinner we just cut really really small. also a month ago i started giving her milk and now shes off formula and doing GREAT!!  . im one of four and my mom started all four of us on milk at 8-9month and table foods at about 7months and we are all prefectly healthy and happy. some people will argue what your "NOT SUPPOSE" to do be in the end its your child and you decide when you think its right

Holly - posted on 04/08/2009

My daughter has the SAME schedule! I don't feel like she' ready! Especially when she barely has 2 teeth!

Megyn - posted on 04/08/2009

Quoting Marnae:

It's such a relief to read all of this.  I was hoping to wait until the 9 month check up as well.  I have been giving him lots of rice cereal and I've been pureeing organic veggies and fruits for him.  Planning to mash up avocados and bananas next.  I'm a first time mommy too and  totally freaked about the choking thing as well.  I also have been feeding him only organics, I know I can't continue in only this way forever, but it's hard to let it go :)  Anyway, he seems content with the food he's getting so I haven't pushed it.  I guess we too can wait to see what the dr says.  I have read some things about not introducing things like eggs and meat for a while also.  So we'll wait on that. I welcome any suggestions on organic/natural first finger foods. I'm just glad we're not alone in this.

We buy the Happy Belly brand organic puffs. My guy LOVES them, and they dissolve so quickly that there is very little risk of choking. We do strictly organics for our son too! It's hard, but worth it!

Rhian - posted on 04/08/2009

We started baby food (pureed, cereals, etc) from 6-7 months with no success. So, I moved onto baby puffs that melt in the mouth. It taught her to chew and she loved them, even though she has no teeth. I let her suck/chew on fruits I was eating and she wanted more. Now at 8 months we are skipping the pureed stage and are at table foods. I let her try pieces of my foods as long as they're small and soft. She loves the Gerbers lil' sides you can buy in the store for toddlers. She nurses 7 times within 24 hours and I'm starting to feed her twice a day.

Allison - posted on 04/08/2009

My son is eating stage 2 foods as well as formula and cereal.  No table food at all.  He doesn't have any teeth yet.  I gave him some gerber puffs because a friend of mine said her daughter does not have teeth either and those dissolve in their mouths.  I am trying to slowly get him used to solid texture.  But, I am not etiher!   This is my first baby too and I was wondering the same thing!

Tabatha - posted on 04/08/2009

Quoting Lyndsey:

nooo.. my son is 9 months and eats the size 2&3 foods plus whatever we give him. bread, crackers, baby cookies, mashed potatos, and the baby snacks. its no biggie, this is the time to start gotta wean them off the baby food eventually, same with breast feeding!!

nope we started our boy on table food at 6 months! i cook most of my meats in a slow cooker/crokpot! the meat is so tender it falls apart ! i also gave him gerber graduates snacks and motts apple sauce cups!!! i give him mashed potatoes, carrots and yams!!! if you concerned about choking then put some of your dinner in the blender add just a bit of formula and blend it till its like baby food! (i did this for 1 month because i was worried too ) i hope this helps :D

Karri - posted on 04/08/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

I just feed my daughter baby food and little gerber snacks like the teething biscuits. I'm still too scared to give her table food. Her choking on something scares me more than anything. I keep reading posts where people say they are giving their baby's cheerios and toast and chicken... I am too much of a scaredy cat for that.

 

Same here.  McKinlee gets 2nd foods three times a day w/ three oz bottles..She also has the gerber snacks throughout the day..

I have let her have some real bananas and apples...

Tanya - posted on 04/08/2009

Hi, at 6 months I started to allow my daughter to share a peach with me when I have eaten off all the skin and the peach is much bigger than her mouth. As soon as it comes close to the pit she had to stop and eventually with the second or third try she became very upset when I took it away. We then went over to oranges where she just sucked on a piece while I was holding it at her mouth so that she can taste it. Then we did the same with a mango. Since then she lets me know if I am eating anything that she wants to taste or eat.

A nice recipe is Avocado & Banana. It is rich in Omega 3 & unsaturated fat which I believe is good for brain development. All you do is take 1/2 avo & 1/2 small banana. Mash together with 50ml of your milk or formula and serve.

Also try Banana & papaya. If you mash them together don't use milk, because the papaya has enough fluids and milk will make it too watery, which will make it impossible for your child to eat.

This is also soft and therefore can't harm them.

In the recipe book they also say that you can add your milk to any food to make it taste better for them.

We also bought a food processor that can make the food you cook into a puree. It works well.

Now if we eat she sits at the table in her chair (which is also good for them to do) and wants to eat a carrot or baby marrow with me. As long as she can hold it and sit up she will spit out whatever she does not want to eat. If you are worried about food that she can't swallow just make sure that you take the last bit out of her hand and you can always put your finger in her mount and yank it out. But my daughter just gurgles it out. She also loves eating a chip with me when we are at a restaurant.

So go with what your child shows you. She will tell / show you if she is interested in trying something you are eating. Just use your motherly instinct.

Doctors do say, however, that you can introduce food once they can sit without back support. This is because then they can vomit out a big peace if it is not soft enough to go down.

Good luck:)

Martha - posted on 04/07/2009

When my first baby was about 8 months old she grabbed a chip from the table while we were out to eat. Both her dad and I looked at her and then each other as if to say, "let's see what happens?"  She'd only been breast fed up to that point. Sure enough she choked. I grabbed her, turned her upside down on my knee and gave her a few firm blows on the back, between the shoulder blades.  Out popped the chip and she was fine. She even grabbed another afterwards. I was a little shaken up but ever since I have been confident that I can handle her choking and now her little brother, the chow hound. Take some life saving courses, Moms! They really will save your life.  

Marnae - posted on 04/07/2009

It's such a relief to read all of this.  I was hoping to wait until the 9 month check up as well.  I have been giving him lots of rice cereal and I've been pureeing organic veggies and fruits for him.  Planning to mash up avocados and bananas next.  I'm a first time mommy too and  totally freaked about the choking thing as well.  I also have been feeding him only organics, I know I can't continue in only this way forever, but it's hard to let it go :)  Anyway, he seems content with the food he's getting so I haven't pushed it.  I guess we too can wait to see what the dr says.  I have read some things about not introducing things like eggs and meat for a while also.  So we'll wait on that. I welcome any suggestions on organic/natural first finger foods. I'm just glad we're not alone in this.

Katrina - posted on 04/07/2009

i have 6 kids and all kids are different they will eat when there ready i have an 8 month old now and he eats mashed potato and pumpkin,loves iceypoles and lollipops he would try anything i give him, but he loves all the stage 1 and 2 food as well just start of on small things then work your way up they suprise you what they can eat and swollow but even if she pulls faces or chocks a little dont give up try again even if its the next day they will do this as it's new to them she will get used to it. just dont give to much at a time

Jaime-Lynne - posted on 04/06/2009

My son is the same age, and he's doing exactly what your daughter is doing. I mean the only table food he's had is mashed potatoes..



just stay away from all nuts until she's 6, and Eggs until she's 2... due to allergies.

Christina - posted on 04/06/2009

I have three children and have held off on giving table food on all of them until I felt they were ready.

My eight month old is still eating baby foods 2's and 1's depending, nurses, has the different cereals, and gerber melts. It really is what you are comfortable with. For me I feel, they are only babies for a little while so I'm in no hurry. He's progressing great and he's a little chunk at 23lbs. Plus, this way I know he's getting all the nutrients he needs from the jar foods and breast milk.

Kris - posted on 04/05/2009

It is your call when you feel comfortable giving them tablefoods. 

My daughter currently eats stage 2 and some 3 food as well as formula and cereal.  she also like gerber pinwheel snacks.  i stopped doing the biter biscuits after my second child choked on one twice.

I curious about the milk in things as well, i have to ask my doctor because my baby is on soy formula.  That is a good question.  I also wondered about baby food mac and cheese, does that use real milk, because she has kept that in fine.

Bethany - posted on 04/05/2009

I was very nervous about giving my baby table food, but I've discovered that she is really good at chewing.  I just monitor her closely with difficult foods like apple slices (I was amazed that she would just gum them up and not choke on them).  It's terrifying, but I don't want to keep her from trying things because I'm scared.  She has gagged a couple of times and spit stuff back up when she lost control of it in her mouth, but she learns quickly and gets better at chewing every day.

In response to you Beth, I don't worry about anything like that (although maybe I should) because I give her such small portions off my plate.  I like to make her her own meals without extra salt, sugar, etc.  Like, tonight, I had chicken stir-fry, but set aside a little for her before I added oil and soy sauce.

Megyn - posted on 04/05/2009

We are holding off on table foods until our son has more teeth and can chew better. He does get puffs, cereal, and teeth biscuits to chew on, but nothing else. When we do other things, they will be fruits, veggies, and cheese-absolutely nothing processed or fried!

Jessica - posted on 04/04/2009

I give my daughter mashed potatoes with a bit of milk and she doesnt seem to have a problem with it. But I also have a friend her mixes her sons portion of potatoes with his formula rather than milk so i guess its really up to you.

Beth - posted on 04/04/2009

Question for those of you who feed your baby things from your own dinners...do you worry about tomatoes or sugar or anything like that?  I know she's not supposed to have milk until she is a year old, but what about things that have milk in them, like mashed potatoes or rice casseroles?  Or by this point could she have just about anything--except for peanuts, chocolate, and honey? 

Lorri - posted on 04/04/2009

I am slowly introducing some table food but only a few bites my son who is 8 months still gets his stage 2 food and now also working on stage 3 he has had pancakes no syrup chicken banana pineapple peaches and will be tryin fish this week.

Stephanie - posted on 04/04/2009

I agree with you. I am also waiting for the 9month checkup. My twins are eating stage 2 three times a day.

Amy - posted on 04/03/2009

We have been very nervous about feeding our baby table food, too. We have been giving him Stage 3 foods and baby cereal, along with Gerber puffs. He takes 5 bottles a day. We have found a mesh feeder to be helpful when trying solid foods. It's available in the One Step Ahead catalog, but we got one made by Nuby at BuyBuy Baby. We have put animal crackers and banana in there and it's helping him get the idea of mashing with his gums, without worrying about him choking. Hope this helps!

Jessica - posted on 04/03/2009

I believe you have to do what feels right for you and for baby. Im a first time mum as well and my daughter is also on stage 2 foods. I have put off starting her on finger foods for fear of her choking but have resently come to realise that i cant prevent her from moving on to table foods forever so I took the plunge when she start to devour her teething rusks. She is now eating toast, bananas, cheese sticks, and very well cooked vegies (broccoli being her fav). I only give her things are that soft enough to be mushed with her gums and everything is cut into small pieces. She really enjoys being about to feed herself. Start slowly with something like a piece of very ripe banana and go from there. Just make sure you always stay with them.

Good Luck!

Angela - posted on 04/02/2009

Mother knows best austin has been having finger food since he was about 6 months stuff like sandwiches and crackers mainly but lately most things as my plunket nurse said the other day he can have most things now just to stay clear of honey, peanuts, cows milk and egg whites. He's down to 3 bottles a day now not interested in any more the baby yoghurt is a real hit at luch time and we do the hot meal at dinner time and weetbix for breakfast. Might be 'cos I've worked in a nursery with lots of baby I"ve tryed him on lots as long as you don't leave them alone while they are eating but the best advice is you know your baby the best!

Carolyn - posted on 04/02/2009

My son is 8 months old and I have have been giving him table food for about a month.  I usually give him very small pieces of whole wheat bread or bagel, or cheese.  I've also tried to give him more textured baby foods...if you're not comfortable with it though, I don't think it's going to hurt your daughter in any way.  You are probably right to wait and see what your doctor has to say.

Lyndsey - posted on 04/02/2009

nooo.. my son is 9 months and eats the size 2&3 foods plus whatever we give him. bread, crackers, baby cookies, mashed potatos, and the baby snacks. its no biggie, this is the time to start gotta wean them off the baby food eventually, same with breast feeding!!

Toni - posted on 04/02/2009

We have just started to introduce things like rice cakes but i hold it as he tries to put the whole thing in at once!

He has had two little soilders of toast, weetabix with warm milk just a little bit each day.

We have also started to mash his food and has just had baby pasta with veg and cheese, the trick is to put a little bit on the spoon and make sure he has finished before you put in any more, if it goes down a little before he expects he coughs and I give him a little pat on the back and he is fine.

But as others have said everyone does it differently but my little one was reaching out trying to have our food and getting frustrated when we didn't give him any, so thought it was time to move on.

Good luck and do what you think is best for your baby they are all different!

Daniela - posted on 04/02/2009

My little boy eats pretty much anything that I will give him.  He has stage 2 baby foods and I also make my own puree so he has both.  I give him 3 - 4 bottles of formula with each feeding, cereal once or twice per day, either a.m. or p.m.  He eats mum mums but you have to watch out with those b/c they can break off big pieces.  As long as you are watching and paying attention she should be fine.  The Gerber puffs are great b/c they disolve in the mouth.  At this stage they should be getting used to chewing with their gums because those muscles they use for chewing are the same used for speaking.  I gave my baby home made meatballs last week that we were having for dinner and he gobbled it all up.  I just broke it up into tiny tiny pieces and fed it to him with my fingers.  Just go slowly and have fun experimenting with food.

Debbie - posted on 04/02/2009

I am also hesitant to start table food with our boy. I've been pureeing food and giving various brands of baby food. If I give him small pieces of mushed food it only ends up on the floor and not in his mouth at this point. I am scared of him choking, so I haven't really gone crazy with the solids. I ground up some chicken in the FP and he just spit it out. So, perhaps he just isn't ready. He is our first baby.

Tiffany - posted on 04/02/2009

My son gets stage 3 foods, table food, gerber puffs and teething biscuits.  With my first, we did everything early with him.  He was eating the same meals we were by the time he was 1.  We are hoping it will be the same way with the other.  He has had bites of roast and green beans and other things that we have had on our plates for dinner.  He loves it all.  We give him 1 bite at a time and wait to make sure he has swallowed that  before giving him anything else.  But, like it was said before, just do what is most comfortable for you and your baby.  Everyone is different, and no 2 parents will do the same thing.  I am just one of those parents that likes to be done with the baby food ASAP.  But, my advice, if you do start giving her table foods, start off with the softest, most easily food you can think of.  Like a banana, and cut it up into small pieces for her.  Or, the gerber puffs are good to start with because they are small and dissolve fast enough that chocking wouldn't be an issue. 

Danielle - posted on 04/01/2009

My daughter still eats stage 2 foods.  Though I also give my daughter puffs and yogurt melts by gerber, but that is all.  I was kind of waiting for her 9 month check up (on the 10th) before I do anything else.  Though I know several of my girlfriends have been giving their babies table foods a lot earlier.  One girl even lets her son eat pickles.

Melissa - posted on 04/01/2009

As a momma you have to do what is right for you and your baby.  I would offer some advice though if I may, try to find something that you are comfortable with that your baby can work on picking up for her/himself so they can start using their pincher grasp.  It will help them learn to self feed and start working their fine motor skill muscles. 

 I was very much afraid of the choking with my son and didnt start out until he was closer to 10-11 mths, so again it is completely up to you.  However with my daughter she just wont wait for food. 

Christine - posted on 03/31/2009

Our ped told us we could start giving him table food at 6 month because he was developing so fast and watches us eat intently. However, he has eczema and it gets worse with certain foods so we have been too afraid to give him table food. We are trying to limit his diet to formula, rice cereal, pear juice and water until it clears up. I have given him biter biscuits but he likes to chew them down so far that he tries swallowing it and ends up gagging. As with the baby food, introduce very small pieces to her one at a time in case she has alllergies. Good luck!

Jamie - posted on 03/31/2009

I know what your saying I am Lucky "knocking on wood" that Jazzlyn has never choked. I dont give her table food as a meal, if were eating I will break her off tiny peices of what Iam eating and she loves it. I deffently wont give her cherrios yet. Unless i am having them for breakfast and there really soft the milk and Toast No way. but chicken I give her I dont give her breading but I break of little peieces and she loves it! :)

Jennifer - posted on 03/31/2009

I just feed my daughter baby food and little gerber snacks like the teething biscuits. I'm still too scared to give her table food. Her choking on something scares me more than anything. I keep reading posts where people say they are giving their baby's cheerios and toast and chicken... I am too much of a scaredy cat for that.

Jamie - posted on 03/31/2009

At my daughters 6 month check up her Ped. Told me that she could start trying table food, very small bites, and just to keep her away from penuts and Egg whites. Like you I still feed her stage 2 foods, an occasion of stage 3 gradually, Shes gets cereal in the morning, and baby food for lunch and supper she drinks a bottle between for brunch after her snack, and usually 2 before dinner and 2 before bed time. I think no matter what you do its right its your child and you can choose to feed him table food or not feed him table food.