I’ve been bamboozled

My son does the same thing. I was told by his dr that now its all about taste testing and checking for allergens. By 7/8 months once teeth come then he will eat more. My son grabs food and chews on it. The feeder is more for some fruits. Otherwise he just gets food from our plates.

@Phoenix oh it’s just the cucumber through the feeder because it’s too firm! He’s been grabbing the finger foods but once they get to his mouth it’s game over 😂

That’s good to know! We’ll keep giving him the finger foods even if it’s a lick and done, maybe it’ll just click eventually

The face pulling and gagging generally doesn't mean they don't like it, the faces are normally due to it being a new experience/texture/taste and the gagging is totally normal as they learn to move food around their mouths & chew it small enough to swallow. It can take them atleast 10 times to decide whether they like something or not, and sometimes they change their minds, my boy hated broccoli as a puree but loves eating trees 😂 Just keep persevering they'll get the hang of it, solid food teethers (mango pit, chicken drumstick with no meat, spare rib with no meat etc) are a great way to help them develop those skills with reduced choking risks also try to offer/eat the same or similar to what you are eating so they see you eating and enjoying it and are more likely to copy and try it. Check out the solid starts website/IG, it's a great resource for weaning especially if your BLW.

@Rebecca SO helpful, thank you

I've been told by multiple experts (pediatrician, allergist, doctor, nurse) that it can take 10-20 exposures of that food before they may start to like something. Try different forms (puree, roasted, etc)

Gagging doesn’t mean they don’t like it. It’s a natural reflex. Keep offering the same foods over and over. Check out @Solidstarts and @Feedinglittles on IG

Weird faces and gagging are both super normal. They’re trying a new flavor which takes getting used to. Mine always makes a grossed out face and then goes in for more bites. Gagging is GOOD. During gag reflex, the airway closes off and the tongue thrusts whatever is in the mouth out to the front. It takes time and practice for the gag reflex to move back and relax. Red + loud = gag reflex= GOOD blue + silent = choking = BAD

Gagging and making those faces is incredibly normal because it’s more about the new textures and strong flavors, that is why at six months old is recommended to start serving meals every day, not necessarily for them to eat because their primary source of nutrition should still be breastmilk, but so they can get used to textures and use her fine motor skills and be exposed to all the allergens they need to be exposed to before the age of one!

You should try the same food at least three days in a row. It's a new texture and taste so he's going to make a face and gag. But if you switch it too often he'll never get use to the strange new taste