https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533213 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 21:15:33 +0000 Pepper 1533213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>C did not like chunky purees or bits of whole food when I introduced them at around 7 months. He did exactly the same as your DD, forced them out of his mouth and shook his head when I would try to get him to eat. We switched back to smooth purees. Now, at 9 months, he only wants chunky purees or actual whole food. I agree with others, that it just takes time. One day he woke up and just decided he wanted real food! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533205 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 21:10:04 +0000 wonderstruck 1533205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, it's great that she's enjoying it! I agree that it's likely just a matter of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533182 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 21:01:18 +0000 Weagle 1533182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wonderstruck: This. </p> <p>Overall, I'm of the opinion that they'll figure it out when they're ready. We can have really great plans for our parenting choices, but having an actual baby can make us rethink things very quickly. Our BLW days were over very soon after they started. She just wasn't interested. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533167 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:54:19 +0000 Applesandbananas 1533167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She may be swallowing a little of if. It's all new and takes some time to get used to. My LO had a rough adjustment to purées from nursing but at a year, he's a bottomless pit, there's not much he rejects. </p> <p>I wouldn't get too worried, her primary source of nutrition should be breastmilk/formula until a year and as long as she's gaining well and happy, I'd call that a success! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533160 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:49:52 +0000 deerylou 1533160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: This is what I'm thinking - a matter of time. I mean, she'll happily suck on whole foods, while smiling, and giving me a big "mmmm, mmmm!" so I know she enjoys the taste. It's almost as if she doesn't yet understand it's supposed to be chewed and swallowed. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533154 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:47:28 +0000 swedishfish 1533154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: I think she'll start chewing when she's ready! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533153 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:46:59 +0000 regberadaisy 1533153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's entirely possible it might be a texture issue?</p> <p>What about roasted yam fries? They get so soft it's almost like a puree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533151 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:46:02 +0000 deerylou 1533151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have tried some of the Plum super puffs, and she is very interested in using her pincher grasp to pick them up. She'll suck on them, but then pushes them out. She'll literally sit there, with star shaped puffs stuck to her cheeks. I'll keep trying, and offering new things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533146 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:45:27 +0000 immabeetoo 1533146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be really wary of pushing anything in - it will become a control issue fast ya know? I agree with puffs; have you tried BLW style again, like a mushy avocado or banana? I wouldn't sweat it too much at that age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533141 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:42:34 +0000 swedishfish 1533141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wonderstruck: yes, R loves Puffs and Cheerios! She now bites Puffs into 2-3 pieces most of the time instead of just shoving them into her mouth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533129 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:39:23 +0000 wonderstruck 1533129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found that my son actually took much better to true solids than to chunky purees - having the textures/consistencies mixed together just didn't work. I think one of the main things that helped break him into it were things like Puffs and Mum mums - solid, but they dissolve in his mouth. They seemed to help encourage chewing without fear about the swallowing part. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-chewing-amp-success-with-chunkierwhole-foods#post-1533126 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:36:58 +0000 deerylou 1533126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were initially drawn to BLW when we began introducing solids to our daughter (~6 months, at the time). While she was immensely interested in food, she wouldn't actually ingest whole/chopped food - this seemed to frustrate her, as she very much wanted to eat.</p> <p>We started offering a few homemade purees, which she took to, immediately. She's 8.5 months, and still only prefers to suck/lick table food. When I offer thicker/more rustic pureed foods, she'll push the chunks out with her tongue, and shake her head when I attempt to guide them back in with the spoon.</p> <p>Anything I can do to encourage chewing? Foods that serve as good practice or a happy balance between purees and whole food?</p> <p>Appreciate it! </p>