My 10 month old chews up finger foods but then he pushes the pieces out with his tongue. Has anyone dealt with this? Any suggestions?
At La Leche League meetings, they talk about the signs of readiness for eating solids. One of them is when they lose the extrusion reflex (pushing food out of mouth with tongue.) Could be that your baby's not quite ready for finger foods yet. Here's a link to an article on the LLL website.
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBMayJun99p86.html
My son is 9 1/2 months old and isn't swallowing his finger foods sometimes either. Have you already put little pieces of food mixed in with pureed food first? If I really need my son to swallow the food in his mouth I give him a sippy cup to wash it down or a binky to help him. I also noticed it seems easier for him with more slippery or mushy foods like bananas, pears, potatoes/ sweet potatoes etc. Also, my doctor said that I may need to try many times before he gets it. Hope this helps.
My daughter now 19 months did this and still does sometimes. They are learning and experimenting, he may just not get it yet. I would just keep trying and as long as he is still drinking breast milk or formula he should get all the nutrition he needs. I give my daughter pediasure(per her pedatritions suggestion) because she is 19 months old, it also has all the nutrition she needs and it comes in different flavors, but it is for ages 1-13yrs. As long as he's healthy and not losing weight, I wouldn't worry. If you are concerned about his health I would talk to his pediatrition. This is great time of new experiences for your son, enjoy it.
Hi!
No suggestions, but I will surely be reading the rersponses! My daughter is 8.5 months old and does this too!! I am planning to ask the pediatrician at her 9 month appt. The schedule given by the ped. says she should be eating finger foods already!
We're in the same boat!
L.
