table food vs baby food?

I know I've posted a lot about my struggles with feeding my girls real food. I built it up in my head as this scary thing where they'd choke all the time, but really they are fine and even Meara, who has an issue with some texture, is doing great.

So the good news is they are eating table food at every meal now and doing very well with picking it up and eating it themselves. But I'm so worried that they aren't getting enough to eat (my girls will eat until they puke so I can't just keep feeding them until they stop). So I follow up table food with baby food 1-2 meals a day (they'll split a container).

I have baby food to use up so its not an issue, but my poor pumpkins sit there and CHEW the purees looking at me like "Really? You are giving us this?!" So maybe I won't buy any more baby food and just use up what I have.. but when did you trust they were eating enough and stop giving them spoon-fed purees? (we are also eliminating bottles, but that a whole other thread). Thanks for any info you can give me! -leighann

 

Have you tried spoon-feeding them big people food, in addition to letting them self-feed? For dinner, I usually give the babies whatever we're having. If needed, I'll mash it up or make a (coarse, chunky) puree. They love it. Maybe your babies would like that better than smooth, bland purees?

 

Thanks for your suggestion Holly! The first time I tried to spoon feed them chunky food (before they got good at self-feeding), they gagged and then refused to open their mouths. But that was like 2 weeks ago, so I should probably try again since they are clearly showing me that they can chew and understand that even if it comes from the spoon, you can chew it. I'll try that tomorrow. Its so nice to be able to feed them what we eat! I feel so liberated that they will eat it and they enjoy it!

 

I agree with Holly -- try spoon-feeding things like rice and beans, mac n' cheese, etc.

I used to make savory Cream of Wheat (with a little cumin, garlic, black pepper -- I'm Indian so this is normal, LOL), mix in a little plain yogurt, and shovel it into my older DD when she didn't eat enough. (Which was until about 6 months ago, but that's an entirely separate thread. )

BTW, I didn't get a chance to respond to the other thread -- but welcome! I've always looked forward to reading your posts, and you'll make a fabulous moderator! :good:


ETA -- oops, I was posting at the same time as you...

 

My girls never loved "baby food". So I have always gave them some mashed up table food. They now love to finger feed themselves but i am always ready with a spon to make sure they have enough.

 

I used to worry about the same thing. I just followed their cues and eventually figured out how much they needed to eat. My girls never stopped eating when they were full, until we went onto solids all the time. If they haven't had enough and are truly still hungry, they are going to let you know. We did a lot of snacks in between meals in the beginning when going onto all table food.

 

Mine were completely off baby food by 10 months, they were never big baby food fans and they ate table food much better.

 

Mine are almost 10 months and i am still doing baby food... I try some table foods but worry about stuff hurting their tummies. I am relaxing a bit now and they are doing great with puffs, cheerios, wagon wheels, fruit roll up things.... SO i just need to not worry... Sometimes i hate to say it but babyfood is easier... OOOOPS did i say that? I did buy a food puree thing to help me out... Tonight they are having butternut squash... and some turkey sticks...

 

I used to do this too and at some point I bet your girls will just not eat it anymore. I got the look for about a week of "are you kidding" and then they would just spit it out. So I gave up with the baby food. But I did start spoon feeding soft stuff like yogurt, soft fruits, homemade pudding, etc at the end of finger foods just to make sure they were getting what they needed. Dont worry just try and follow their cues and make a few of your own as you go!!

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Feb 20 2008, 08:39 PM) [snapback]632377[/snapback]
I used to do this too and at some point I bet your girls will just not eat it anymore. I got the look for about a week of "are you kidding" and then they would just spit it out. So I gave up with the baby food. But I did start spoon feeding soft stuff like yogurt, soft fruits, homemade pudding, etc at the end of finger foods just to make sure they were getting what they needed. Dont worry just try and follow their cues and make a few of your own as you go!!


This is exactly what happened tonight! They had pasta and meat for dinner (and ate a lot!) and then I started feeding them some baby food. Meara cried and spit it out and Ana ate a little bit and then ripped off her bib and threw it on the floor. Meara said Uh oh! And momma said "Guess you both are done!" I think I'm going to start mixing the left over baby food into real food just to use it up, but I don't think I'll buy anymore. Funny that we figured it out 24 hours after I posted this question!

Thank you all for the replies!

 

Aint independence grand??