low weight baby gags on lumpy food

[scltmom]

I have a 12 month old who is in the 5th percentile for weight (was born at 50th percentile). I have been discussing weight with the pediatrician since his 9 month visit, and was told that at this age if I want to put weight on him I have to get him to start eating table foods b/c the jar food is not calorie dense enough. He is breastfed, but I would like to begin weaning soon. I have been trying for 3 months to get him eating table food. My son gags on stage 3 food and easily empties the contents of his stomach when doing so (tonight this happened with green beans and rice). Over the last month we have made progress getting him to eat yogurt puffs, cheerios, and other cereal pieces (which I think he melts more than he chews - his shirt gets wet with saliva that drips out of his mouth when eating them). He will not try any diced fruits, veggies, toast, pasta, etc. I put something on his tray before providing jar food at each meal. Recently he started to touch a piece of food occasionally, but does not bring it to his mouth. Also, he does not show much interest in what my husband and I are eating. Is he just slow to take to finger foods? Or does he have a sensitive gag issue that we may need specialist help for? B/c his weight is so low I have not forced the issue (i.e., witholding other food and only offering finger foods). When we were only doing stage 3, he had such a hard time getting through a meal without vomiting he started refusing all food for several days. Any suggestions?

[Renee Radenberg]

He may need to learn how to chew and swallow food. That would not be a reflection on your parenting. Some children just do not know how to do it and need to be taught. They need to learn how to chew and shallow food properly; it is not really an instinct behavior like sucking. Has he been evaluated on how to chew food? If not, then suggest getting him evaluated, by going to your MD, and start therapy so he can start to eat regular food. Suggest giving him either Pediasure or milkshakes (milk and ice cream blended) for additional calories and protein to help him gain weight regardless if you continue with breast feeding or not. Hoped this helped you.

[scltmom]

Thank you for your response. We are due in to the doctor on Mon for his 1 year checkup and I will ask the dr about doing an evaluation. Are there any good alternatives to pediasure for children with cow's milk allergies. I am going to have him tested to verify his allergy is with cow's milk, but he recently broke out in hives.. which seemed to reappear when reintroducing the milk. This is the primary reason we put weaning on hold after beginning a couple of weeks ago. It's unfortunate as he really liked the taste of cow's milk as well as the chocolate pediasure.

Thank you again, I am very appreciative of your insights.

[Renee Radenberg]

Pediasure is lactose free which means is does not contain cow's milk sugar. Usually when someone is allergic to cow's milk their reaction is bloating, gas, and diarrhea. He may be allergic to something else. In the meantime until you find out what he is allergic to, you can use soymilk and make soymilk smoothies (soy milk, soy ice cream blended) for additional calories.