How long can we stay on puree?

Question

My 14 MO is still OK puree only and milk and one bottle of formula a day
How long can we do this? Id like to wait till she has almost all her teeth in before doing real solids so she can shew and won't choke. She has 12 teeth now, no molars.
But is it OK to wait? I told her pediatrician she eats real good because I got nervous. I mean she eats food it's just in puree form

Answer

Not judging but no it’s not ok for her to not have any regular solid food by this age. She should be able to feed herself at least partially at this point. She should be getting nearly all of her nutrition from solid food. She doesn’t need teeth to chew her food. Their gums are hard enough that they can mash anything that you would be able to mash between your fingers. 
By not giving her solid food, you’re making it more likely that she will choke on it when you do because she’s use to swallowing everything out in her mouth without having to break it up first. I’d suggest taking a CPR class and learning the difference between gagging and choking and getting her on solid food as soon as possible. Some kids don’t get their molars until close to 2 years or older, you can’t keep her on just purées until then.

Answer

.. Your child should’ve been on solids, actual solids since at least 9 months. They should also be able to feed themselves mostly. Not allowing them to eat solids can do harm and cause texture issues, oral defensiveness, etc.

This is what introducing solids at the right time helps them with. Also don’t lie to your pediatrician. Baby shouldn’t be on formula either anymore. Either whole milk or foods with fat to replace that.

Answer

My daughter is 10 months with NO teeth and she eats solids. Softer solids but solids. You are holding your child back developmentally and it’s going to be difficult to start this late but you need to. I get that it’s scary to let them eat solids but your job as a mother is to teach a guide them, not hold them back due to your fears. That will translate into every aspect the rest of their lives. Please please please start with mushy foods.

Answer

It's not at all okay at this point. Their teeth actually have nothing to do with whether or not they will choke. Their gums are incredibly strong and that is how they chew and mash their food. Also, it's better for them to learn prior to getting a bunch of teeth, because their teeth can actually help them bite off larger pieces than they are ready for. (Although this shouldn't deter you. They learn how much they can and can't handle surprisingly quickly, and many times will spit out pieces that are too large for them.) I'm not trying to scare you, but you might need to see a feeding therapist at this point, as you've skipped a lot of critical steps in their feeding progression. Infants are supposed to be on textured food by 10 months, as this helps them get down that rotary chewing motion of their jaw if they haven't learned it sooner. And they should be transitioning to 3 meals a day around that point as well. After 1 year, all of their primary nutrients should be coming from meals. (Though some still breast feed on top of that, which is totally fine.) But there's no way your LO is getting the calories and variety of nutrients (especially iron and fat) that they need from just purees. I'd go ahead and start offering your LO textured foods immediately. If it makes you more comfortable you can start with steamed sweet potatoes, avocado, banana slices, etc, to ensure that your LO is able to and willing to try the textured foods. If you have no success after 2 or 3 weeks I would definitely ask your pediatrician for a referral to a dietician or feeding therapist.

Answer

Ok so I thought it was scary too when I started giving my baby food and it can be scary when they gag on something but it is important. They learn to chew early on and also when they are small their gag reflex is closer to the front and it helps them not choke when they are learning to swallow foods. As they get older it moves further back. I started off super slow with soft foods that are easily mashable. Like potatoes. I would give him oversteamed veggies that were really really soft. We didnt really have any issues until he got bigger and braver and tried to take bigger bites. Dont lie to the pediatrician. I think even you knew the answer here. Im not trying to be rude or mean but its an important part of growing up. My niece has 4 teeth and she can eat pretty much everything. My son has 8 and hes the same way so with her having 12 shes gonna definitely be able to. It can be fun letting them try new things.

Answer

I don’t see what it would hurt other then them maybe refusing solids....but I think that’s unusual... if your hiding it from your Dr I think you think so too
your child has teeth under the gums and they can chew food even when they don’t have teeth.... Have you ever stuck your finger in there?? It hurts! 
I’d at least to soft solids like steamed carrots, canned green beans are super soft.... ect... my daughter was eating solids by 8 months just cut up fine or really soft... rice and Mac n cheese .... small pieces of chicken and lunch meat... 
Now she eats what we eat she’s 1...

Answer

They don’t need teeth to eat solid food. Obviously their food needs to be chewable with gums, but they definitely need solid food. It’s actually really important for their speech development too

Answer

Babies don’t need teeth to chew. They can chew with their gums. 
It is important to introduce your child to different textures of foods so they can learn how to chew and move food around in their mouths. When they are younger they have a more sensitive gag reflex, but they out grow it as they get older. That sensitive gag reflex helps protect them from choking as they are learning. But if you don’t introduce a variety of foods until later they won’t have that protection while learning.

Answer

Uhhh probably dont lie to your pediatrician would be a good first step...
 I definitely think what you're doing is a bad idea. Babies start solids at 6 months and can chew foods with their gums. Obviosuly dont be an idiot and give them hard foods but for example I steam sweet potato sticks and my daughter eats that as they are soft and easy to gum. One issue with only giving purees is your child isnt getting used to different textures which can become a problem as that leads to children being super picky eaters. As well it is good for them developmentally to learn to feed themselves solids. It helps their hand eye coordination and their fine motor skills. And honestly you just sound way too paranoid. There is no reason to be waiting that long and you are just hurting your child in the long run. If you are scared talk to your child doctor!! That is what they are there for. They will help explain to you how to feed your child solids and that it is okay and safe. Of you are really worried take a baby CPR course as they teach what to do if a baby is choking. Do some research on BLW too and that will give you an idea on why it is okay and actually better to give solids early. 
I started with just purees too there is nothing wrong with starting with purees but you gotta transition to real food.. my daughter has a mix of finger foods and solids since like 6.5 months. And honestly the finger foods are her favorite!!

Answer

How long do you plan to keep her on purée only? I mean I guess my concern would be that it is going to be harder for her to adjust to real solid food. Textures and chewing and all that. Especially if she has a lot of teeth I would think it would be good to introduce real solids. 
My little guy just turned 10 months old. He only has two teeth. He eats purées and solids. I give him little pieces of avocado, watermelon, bananas, baby snacks, pasta, blueberries, cheese, tortilla, bread. He absolutely loves it. 
What did your pediatrician say about only giving purées?

How long can we stay on puree?

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