My baby is 1 and still only eats puree food

[Bluemum]

I'm starting to get a little worried about my baby's eating habit. A little back story: My baby was diagnosed with GERD at 2 months old, and from the very beginning feeding him was no easy task. Once I've began weening, things improved a little and he wouldn't puke as easily. When we were supposed to move on to "mash consistence", any tiny little lump of food would make him gag and consequently puke all his food, that would happen every single meal. I then moved back to puree as he was not gaining weight consistently. I can give him finger food in between meals and he will munch a tiny little bit but basically, we are at a point where he hasn't even started to lear how to feed himself and puree food still looks like the safest alternative still. I'm hoping as he grows a little more (he is a small baby), he will be able to eat "normally" but now I'm worried his speech will be delayed among others development issues.

Any similar experiences here? Should I worry and look for help or shall I relax and wait a little longer?

[cuppa tea]

I don't know I've really got any advice, as don't know much about GERD, but neither of my kids would handle lumps. My 17 month old won't eat lumpy/mashed food either, but he also wouldn't take anything off a spoon, so he's only really had finger food. In fact my 4 year old is still funny about lumps in yoghurts, jam, porridge, etc. I think this is really really common with kids. Why are you worried about his speech and other development? What I would personally do is try and trust my baby and perhaps give him small amounts of varied finger foods regularly in the hope that he selects the foods and quantities that agree with him. Hope this helps in any way. They are a worry aren't they?!

[Fuschia]

I think the reflux experience hAs left him with a food aversion and you get a referral x

[Saffron]

I second what Fuschia said. Hopefully it is just a phase and all will come well with time. But there isn't any harm in seeking a referral. And expert can help you then if there really is a problem.

xx

[DaisyDoo]

I agree with the finger foods suggestion; make these of "bite & dissolve" texture as very safe as dissolve in the mouth so no risk. Offer finger foods a lot, steamed fruit & veg as well as very ripe soft fruits all unpureed. You should also refer your child to your local speech therapy service, to be seen by a feeding trained speech therapist, usually part of the complex needs team but not always - hopefuly they see children who are having difficulties with moving on from a certain texture due to GERD. With recent cuts, services are offering les & less of course. It is really important that you remain very relaxed durign meal times & do no put any pressure on your child to eat no matter how positively it is done.

Good luck

[bluesuperted]

Was going to suggest specialist SLT as well. Not something I have enough experience of (am an almost trained SLT but only had adult swallowing placement) but there is a paeds feeding team based at King's if I remember rightly. Might be worth ringing the switchboard to see how to get a referral. Good luck with it all.

[nunheadmum]

I'd say, yes, look into get a referral just to be sure and if nothing else, to put your mind at rest.

But at the same time, don't worry too much. If he's eating something, even if it's puree, then he's not going to fade away. I think there's a lot of pressure / concern about what they should be eating at what point (and it goes on even as they get older). But provided you give them the opportunity to try new things and they are eating enough and a variety of foods, I wouldn't worry too much about the consistency. He's taking a bit of finger foods so he's developing the skills he needs. Most kids will get there in their own way, some slower, some faster.

[DaisyDoo]

You need a referral to the community team as the King's SLTs see inpatients & caseload that have physiological swallowign difficutties as opposed to difficulty transitioning to the next stage texture. I should've said that by 'bite & dissolve' textures I meant anything that is like wotsits texture or kitkats/chocolate buttons (these more bite & melt but very safe to offer as well). Have such finer foods available as you prepare the meal so your child can experiment if wished to with no pressure. Good luck.

[Bluemum]

Thank you all to take your time to reply to this message. Not having a good week and its always good to count with some of your words of advice! x