https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:37:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1171222 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 11:03:47 +0000 winniebee 1171222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In addition to what ppl mentioned, my son loved elbow macaroni at that age (with sauce or just butter and cheese). They slither right down the throat without much effort. Also, I started making more food than my husband and I eat so that he can just eat leftovers for lunch the next day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1166082 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:27:24 +0000 PrincessBaby 1166082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You guys are awesome! Thank you so much for all of this awesome advice! I'm really excited to get to try some of this stuff! Also kind of excited that I think it will be cheaper too...Even though we do S&amp;S through Amazon for her pouches, they really get so expensive - especially when she wastes a lot sometimes!</p> <p>I will report back on how she does! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1166067 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:22:48 +0000 plantains 1166067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: don't give up on making stuff, i know you are solo a lot ofthe time but you could make and freeze a bunch of stuff really easily if you just give a day when DH is home to it. I freeze stuff for L 8 weeks in advance hahaha. I make a batch of meatballs (just whizz it all in food processor) and pasta sauce and hack in freezer. She eats pasta shells with sauce and meatballs all the time. I nuke frozen peas for her and mix in some butter, she loves them. Great for working on pincer too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1166017 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 11:58:30 +0000 bamblm 1166017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 11.5 mos. He has two bottom front teeth and no other teeth, but he actually "chews" with his gums. I usually make one or two dishes for him to eat throughout the week. His three favorite staple "meals" are: dirty rice with mixed frozen veggies, Annie's mac and cheese with frozen chopped broccoli, and black beans and quinoa. For those, I dump his portion on his high chair tray, roll up his sleeves and let him have at it. He will pick up chunks and lick off the rest that gets stuck to his hands. He makes his high chair/face/arms/lap a total disaster, but he &amp; the high chair gets a bath right after.</p> <p>Otherwise here's what he has had over the past week:<br /> Proteins:<br /> scrambled eggs<br /> diced grilled chicken<br /> cut up meatballs<br /> cut up cheese sticks<br /> sausage crumbles ( I just removed the casings and browned the insides)</p> <p>Fruits:<br /> Bananas<br /> Diced grapes<br /> peaches<br /> pears<br /> grapefruit</p> <p>Veggies: (Grocey frozen veggies seem to be the best since the get really soft when cooked)<br /> spinach<br /> smashed up brussel sprouts<br /> carrots<br /> green beans<br /> peas<br /> diced tomatoes<br /> sweet potato fingers</p> <p>I just cut everything into bite sized pieces, and the only things I spoon feed him now are oatmeal and yogurt.</p> <p>The other day I was thinking about making him a grilled cheese sandwich and cutting it either into fingers or bite sized pieces.</p> <p>The only thing he has trouble with is uncooked apples or if the veggies are still a little hard (like sometime the carrots aren't cooked enough) He actually does the best with little pieces of meat and cheese. Also, I'll dump a few Cheerios on his tray while I'm getting everything ready to keep him busy, otherwise once he's in his high chair, it's MOM! FOOD! NOW! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1165904 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 11:16:19 +0000 Mrsbells 1165904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>babies are able to eat a lot without teeth. My 18 month old has no molars at all but is able to eat basically everything,</p> <p>In the beginnig she could eat bread, raisins, fruit, rice and pretty much anything except hard cruncy fruit like apples </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1165878 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 11:11:29 +0000 Chastenet 1165878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would look into baby-led weaning. That's what we did with DD starting at 6 months. She never had purees. She began self-feeding steamed veggies that were usually cut julienne so it was easy for her to hold before she mastered the pincer grasp. She also would eat pasta, fruit, anything relatively soft and easy to chew at first, before graduating after a month or two to table food. At 14m she now eats whatever we do and has been for about 6 months. There are really good youtube videos, one father posted an entire series.<br /> Edit: DD didn't cut her first teeth until 8.5 months - so we started this well before she had any teeth. Her cousin did blw for 5 months before she finally got her first teeth at 11m. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1165773 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 10:38:41 +0000 autumnlove 1165773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>these are great ideas! I'm going to use them when Baby2 starts solids in a few days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1165406 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 09:00:00 +0000 NovBaby1112 1165406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thanks for starting this thread! so many good ideas on here! my LO has a ton of teeth, but i feel like i am so boring with her food choices, so these responses give me lots of ideas! i feel like all she eats is chicken, cheese sticks, and steamed carrots. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1165082 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 06:19:07 +0000 PinkElephant 1165082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about homemade pancakes/muffins made with lots of fruit and veggie purée mixed in? If you're worried about her being able to take bites, you could always tear them up into chunks for her.</p> <p>My daughters favorite muffins use zucchini, carrot, and pumpkin purée and I season them with some Parmesan cheese and oregano - they're really tasty, kind of like cornbread but not dry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1165071 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 05:57:02 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1165071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Roasted veggies are a hit in our house. I make big batches and then divide them into small containers and freeze them (if I don't we'll end up eating them all)! Roasted carrots and sweet potatoes are always a hit. Quickly sautéed broccoli and cauliflower are her faves. Boiled corn on the cob. She was gnawing on that since before her little teeth came in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1165065 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 05:44:22 +0000 lamariniere 1165065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO got his first teeth right before he turned 1 and the others were extremely slow to follow (only 6 teeth around 18 months). I just gave him really small bits of real food that he could gum. He managed pretty well with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164799 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 21:29:48 +0000 fancyfunction 1164799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine only has two bottom teeth and at 10 months I can see she is really starting to "chew" now. She loves grilled cheese and hummus on toast. Meatballs, shredded chicken, baked sweet potato fries. soft veggies are also favorites. I make pancakes and freeze them so I can take out small portions for breakfast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164781 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 21:11:37 +0000 Andrea 1164781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pretty much anything as long as it is soft. DD eats zucchini, avocado, beans, broccoli, peas, carrots, sweet potato, chicken, squash, edamame, spinach, chicken, eggs, bananas, pasta, toast, grapes, watermelon, ripe pears, peaches, plums, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164773 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 21:06:56 +0000 rawrasaur 1164773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO has 2 teeth, but she doesn't really use them to chew. If I can pinch it between my fingers and it breaks apart, I figure she can easily chew it up. I make all kinds of things for her - I really like making things in mini muffin tins and freezing them and also cooking veggies in the oven. I try to not do the same things over and over, because I want her to be used to trying new foods and be familiar with a ton of flavors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164745 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 20:54:41 +0000 googly-eyes 1164745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: LO has 8 teeth but they're in the front so they aren't the teeth used to chew anyway. She eats waffles, bananas, all kinds of veggies just cooked longer (which thankfully she loves and will eat tons of! for now!), we buy some premade stuff, pasta, and random softer things that we're eating... We also bought these frozen earth's best meatballs but we haven't tried them yet. I think I got it at whole foods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164690 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 20:26:51 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1164690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You would be surprised how well they can use those gums to grind food down! Avocados, bananas, breads, waffles, chicken, etc are all perfect foods. We usually just gave her a little from our plate to try with each meal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164668 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 20:19:10 +0000 dagret 1164668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: this blog has some great recipes. l loved the cauliflower bites. <a href="http://littlegrazers.com/cauliflower-cheese-bites/#.UmXSYue9KSM" rel="nofollow">http://littlegrazers.com/cauliflower-cheese-bites/#.UmXSYue9KSM</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164600 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:43:55 +0000 hilsy85 1164600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I still use the pouches in a pinch, but when you cook for yourself and DH just make extra! Or buy ready made stuff with limited ingredients (like the less processed the better)--I think that's totally fine to give to LOs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164599 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:43:14 +0000 birdofafeather 1164599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Melon, peas, corn, avocado, egg yolks (I cut them in strips after making an omelette), sticky rice, cous cous, quoina (she shovels those in her mouth), sweet potato fries (baked in the oven), shredded chicken (if it's super soft, she just gums it)</p> <p>I'm still working on more that she can feed herself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164598 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:43:13 +0000 PrincessBaby 1164598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: @stargal: @scg00387: you know, I have to start thinking outside of the paleo box! I don't want her to be paleo, but at the same time I forget about non paleo stuff like good ol' peanut butter!<br /> @pastemoo: That's a great idea- we have not tied deli meat on her yet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164589 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:40:52 +0000 PrincessBaby 1164589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: You make me feel better! I think I'm just going to buy stuff like the pancakes/waffles that will be easy for her even if they're not organic (gasp! lol)...<br /> IRunForFun: Um, so I would probably buy them and freeze them? I've given up on my previous idea of Mommy Chef Extrodinaire:) I solo parent 3 weeks at a time, and when DH is home for the next three weeks, we have so much to catch up on that life is HECTIC, and I've accepted that I'm just going to have to buy stuff instead of making it, lol...<br /> @MamaJ: You make a great point about pasta! I guess I should have mentioned that I am Paleo, so our house suffers in the carb department. I don't mind her eating whatever bc I really want her to experience everything and be a kid, but I am guilty of forgetting about normal things like pasta!<br /> @Running Elley: Cheese! Yes, that is a great idea too! The paleo makes me forget:<br /> @chopsuey: Does he eat the whole egg? I'm still leery of eggs, but I don't quite know the "rules."<br /> @yoursilverlining: Woah, tons of great suggestions I had not thought about! Thank you so much!!!<br /> @hilsy85: What a great mama! I've been relying on the pouch too much over here, and I need to get off my ass and chef it up!<br /> @pinkb: Thank you! Those are all fabulous suggestions!<br /> @lovehoneybee: You are right, I think I just need to plan for her! It's weird getting off the pouches!<br /> @cmomma17: Thank you!<br /> @tinyperson: Oh good to know! I think I wasn't comfortable moving away from pouches before because of her lack of teeth, but now that I've seen her work food out of her mouth if she had too much/it was to big, I'm okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164580 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:38:03 +0000 immabeetoo 1164580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You've had lots of suggestions, I don't think anyone mentioned hummus on toast? That is a favorite around here. As is peanut butter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164574 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:36:19 +0000 pastemoo 1164574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Start making leftovers and give them to her the next day? I used to do deli meat, frozen peas, and cut up pears in a pinch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164567 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:35:05 +0000 stargal 1164567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Banana egg pancakes. Recipe is on the log. Easy for her to eat and super healthy!!! And only 2 ingredients. P loves loves loves them. How about cutting up sweet potatoes and roasting them for 45 minutes in the oven. Super yummy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164560 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:32:07 +0000 sarac 1164560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did a lot of beans, soft cooked meats, steamed apples and veggies, and cut up berries at that stage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164494 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:11:03 +0000 tinyperson 1164494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're at that point too...LO has one bottom tooth and is 10.5 months. She eats scrambled egg, avocado, nectarine, banana, kiwi, cheese cubes, toast, pasta, steamed veggies, Cheerios, veggie puffs, yogurt, soup, chicken, grilled cheese, mashed potatoes, waffles. All are cut up into bite sized pieces and she does fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164487 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:08:10 +0000 cmomma17 1164487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Avocado, banana, regular or sweet potato hunks, pasta cooked until it's soft, baked apples, pears., oatmeal fingers, any steamed veggies (carrots, broccoli), watermelon, cantaloupe, frozen berries in a mesh feeder, lots of options! Homemade waffles or toast fingers would be easy too. I have seen recipes for two ingredients pancKes made from bananas! Quick, easy, healthy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164475 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:01:33 +0000 lovehoneybee 1164475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I keep things like meatballs (ground turkey, lots of spinach), "meatloaf" patties (ground turkey, carrots, applesauce, and I add spinach to pretty much everything... <a href="http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/babyfingerfood.htm#.UmW_zPmThQA" rel="nofollow">http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/babyfingerfood.htm#.UmW_zPmThQA</a> Apple turkey loaf) and pancakes in the freezer that I can take out and microwave quickly if I have nothing else to feed him. We also do a lot of flat omelets with spinach, cheese and mushrooms, for breakfast or dinner. </p> <p>Beyond that, though, I do what @hilsy85: does and make extra dinner. For dinner tonight he had leftover Cajun chicken over spiced grits, and tomorrow he'll have leftover eggplant and chickpea stew (what I'm making now). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164444 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:52:17 +0000 pinkb 1164444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO eats all kinds of stuff, she is almost 10 months and has 2 bottom teeth. I was steaming most of her fruits and vegetables so they were super soft but have started to go away from it. I just make sure I cut everything up small and watch her while she eats, but she does really well! We do mango, pears, banana, scrambled egg (yolk only so far), sweet potato, butternut squash, zucchini, corn, peas, chicken, pot roast, stewed carrots and onions, cheese sticks, chicken sausage, liverwurst, black beans, and chick peas (I smoosh the beans in between my fingers). I have tried pancakes, they weren't a big hit here, but the mini powdered donut she got to have as a treat was a huge hit!</p> <p>ETA I still make a lot of her stuff ahead and freeze it so I just have to warm it up. She never really gets to eat dinner with us since she goes to bed before we eat. But I do give her left overs when we have some. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-feed-a-lo-who-only-wants-to-self-feed-but-has-no-teeth#post-1164428 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:47:43 +0000 hilsy85 1164428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO only has 2 teeth and he can eat pretty much anything that is soft enough that it gives when I squish it between my fingers. This includes: hamburgers/turkey burgers, meatballs, pancakes, well roasted veggies, steamed veggies, ripe fruit, pieces of steak and chicken, beans, pasta, chunks of cheese, eggs, muffins...<br /> The possibilities are endless!</p> <p>Honestly, I would start making bigger portions when you cook. I started buying and extra quarter oz for LO when I make fish , and making 4 portions instead of 2 for dinner. It's easiest p, and I think best, if you can just give her what you had the night before.</p> <p>In the beginning I made everything Cheerios sized.</p> <p>Eta I make things like meatballs and pancakes etc during his nap time and freeze them. I also keep frozenveggies on hand that I can boil and mix with some butter for a side. Dish. Eggs are sure fast. </p>