When did you introduce table food?

I feel like DS is way behind. He's 8.5 months old and only on Stage 2 babyfood b/c he gags or chokes on anything too lumpy or thick.

The other day I gave him puffs (this happened both times I tried)... I break it in half and he'll pick it up. One piece he'll chew on for a bit and then swallow, but not like it. Then if he gets a piece too dry and he didn't gum it enough he will start choking... like he can't breathe. I have to throw him out of the highchair and pat him on the back and then he throws up a little.

I get so scared. I can't believe other babies this age are eating cheese and pancakes and I feel like I can't get passed Stage 2 baby food.

He does like yogurt.

Re: When did you introduce table food?

My opinion is once he has mastered puffs, then he can do other foods he can pick up and eat.

You can make him some other stuff that in theory is table food-- but mushy table food. That is when I really started giving Sasha stuff like quinoa and beans, etc. Stuff I would totally eat-- but they were a consistency that she could handle. That also helped her to learn to chew since the textture was more substantial.

Re: When did you introduce table food?

Sydnie was slower to make the transition (she also didn't get her first tooth until 11 1/2 months). Even at 18 months she still gets a jar here and there. I would say around 11 months is when she really started eating table foods. Continue offering the puffs. Then soft foods (cubed sweet potatoes, pears from the jar, slices of avocado, etc). He'll get the hang of it.

Re: When did you introduce table food?

DD was on the slower side with food. She was almost 10 months when I introduced table foods other than cheerios and puffs. Baby food with her was very frustrating as she wanted little to do with it. Once we began giving her "real" food, she started to eat better. Not the best, but definately better.

Re: When did you introduce table food?

i think abbys a little a head of the game in this department shes 7.5 months and is eating some table foods. broken up pieces of chicken, carrots, bananas, fruit puffs cherios

Re: When did you introduce table food?

DS is going to be 7 months in a few days and we can't get past puffs here....so surprsing since my DD was downing them and everything else by 6 months! it goes to show how different every kid is. i continue to give them at every meal though hoping he'll get it. his problem is that he gums them but they slide out of his mouth instead of going down his throat!
again, i'd just keep offering and let him practice...i also give my DS he entire puff b/c when i broke them up he would sputter them out. the big one, he has to move around. they don't make me as nervous since the saliva shrinks them so fast. i bet very soon he'll be on to table food-just keep trying!

Message edited 2/18/2010 3:44:18 PM.

Re: When did you introduce table food?

We started with puffs around 6 months but it wasn't working well lol. At around 8 months we started giving them to him again along with more table foods. At 10.5 months he eats basically anything lol. For breakfast we do a waffle with fruit or pancakes with fruit. I actually started slicing bananas and then coating them with whole wheat pancake batter. He loves this and it is really mushy!!

Re: When did you introduce table food?

Around 6 months I started with soft table foods and small meat pieces, at 7 months stage 3 foods and more table foods, and at 8 months eggs (though i've done stuff w/ egg ingredients, so i know he's not allergic). he'll eat anything. he loves entenmann's cakes.

Re: When did you introduce table food?

DD is 8.5 months - She is only starting meats now stage 2 - this is per her peds schedule not ours. He doesn't believe in rushing foods. They are for social not nutitional value at this age (his philosophy). She will be 9 months on the 23rd he said IF I wanted I could offer her cheerios or puffs if she can pick them up w/ a pincer grip before that they are choking hazards. Otherwise he would rather we wait til her next well visit at 9.5 months. Honestly, there is no rush. If he is gagging wait a little and try again in a few weeks.

We did the same schedule w/ DD#1 and I never had gagging or choking issues and she is now a very healthy eater.