How do I get my son off baby food?

[jordansmom4life]

I know that many of your digeorge kids have feeding diffuculties as it comes along with this syndrome. My son is 19 months old and doing "ok" with soft solids such as scrambled eggs, ravioli from gerber graduates, and brocoli florets. but as far as hard solids i am having a very hard time getting him to eat them. he will only eat crackers or puffs. Since he is not eating enough table food I of course have to supplement with baby food. Any ideas on how to get him off the baby food and eating table food?  anything right now will be helpful. thanks

[OMGITSMOM]

Hello -
I don't know about the syndrome you speak of - I can only think that it has to do with digestion problems.
At 19 months -he has got to have the teeth thing going on - The whole think about teething etc is a great time to give him things that make him rub on his gums. For example frozen breadsticks they will mush eventually but the bumps from like the seseme (even the plain) will feel good and cold...try carrots -instad of baby food try cut up little pieces of real food -a piece of deli cold cut like sliced roast beef but really cut up - make pastini or something like italian wedding soup size meatballs that will fall apart. Try fruits cut up and jello .Good luck!!!

[bailey0919]

I certainly know about trying to get a child to eat enough.  I have a couple suggestions for you:

1. Mix in a little rice cereal with his baby food.  This will boost his caloric intake and also get him used to a bulkier texture in his mouth.
2. Buy the little individual servings of fruit. Not from the baby section of the grocery, but from the snack section, where they sell the fruit cocktail.  The peaches were the first things that my girls ate and they loved them.  They are very smushy in the mouth and easy to swallow.  If he will tolerate the texture, they also make pears, pineapple and mandarin oranges. 
3. Applesauce is always a good one
4. Some of the progressive soups are very good.  Look at the broth-based ones with a little meat, pasta and veggies.
5. Ramen noodles
6. Try making a grilled cheese sandwich and cut into very small pieces.  
7. Do the best you can and don't push him.  he's had a rough go of it and if he needs extra time to make the adjustment, let him take the time he needs.

Best of luck!