Ethan just turned a year, and he's still got only 4 teeth with one more beginning to pop. (his top 2 front and bottom 2 front) So he's a late bloomer with teeth, and I'm trying to think of ways to give him people food that's easier to eat for him without being a choking hazard.

So far veggies have to be super soft for him to gum/mush. I've tried very small pieces of toast with spreads, eggo waffle bits, pancake bits, mashed potatoes, rice ,etc. As for fruit the only thing so far is applesauce/fruit puree, and bananas.

Scared to try meat right now cuz of the teeth thing.

Any other suggestions to increase the types of meals? I'm running out of ideas here!

He can really have about anything. They don't have to have teeth. Their gums are plenty strong to chew up most things you can try.

nocona's right, he should be able to chew up anything you are eating. start with small chunks of hamburger or whatever.

it's scary and he may gag a bit but he needs to learn how to chew up tougher things :nod:

good luck!

Alex only has 5 teeth (all front ones) and he eats everything and anything we give him including dry cereal, crackers, meat cut into small pieces and fruit. I never worried about him not having teeth, but he did need to learn to chew/mash the food with his gums.

Try it, I'm sure Ethan will do fine! :)

Dawn

Emma didn't get her first tooth UNTIL her 1st bday, and at 18 months she has only 4, with two more that have just cut through the gum. Hasn't slowed her down in the slightest. She eats everything and anything, including meat.

You can offer him anything really- my paranoia is more with the size of the food, and not giving things that can easily get caught in the throat. There's very little that he won't be able to break down using his gums/saliva.

I gave Carter ground beef when he only had 4 teeth and he did fine with that. Also small cubes of chicken. Also pasta and rice.

thanks! I didn't realize that about the gums! I'll try more now! *cautiously* of course!

Riley didn't get her first tooth until 15 months, and didn't get anymore until she was 19 months old, but she ate everything from pork chops to tacos :)

the company Munchkin makes a feeding device where you put food in a little nylon sac attatched to a holder that is almost like a pacifier. You can put just about anything in there and you'll see what he is able to do without his teeth. Its for younger babies really but for kids that gag on things, I think its a good idea to get them used to the idea of chewing BEFORE swallowing.

My kids were dangerous with just their gums, they could mush and chew up just about everything. I avoided stuff like steak and carrots, but just about everything was fair game as long as it wasn't in chokeable-sized pieces or with pointy edges.

~Cheri

P.S. I forgot to mention my Cecily has only 6 teeth - and two were recent additions. She is 17 months old. Like I said above she eats just about everything we eat. She won't thank us for mushing things up for her either.

~Cheri

I was also going to tell you about the feeder Cherbear mentioned. It's called the Baby Safe Feeder. I got mine at Toys R Us, not sure where else it's carried. Alyssa didn't get any teeth until 13.5 months and she gummed many things! The feeder was an awesome thing though! My dd has a horrible gag reflex and is taste sensitive. So it was nice to have a safe way for her to figure things out!

Amy

Alex didn't get his first tooth until 10 months, still only has 6 at 16 months. I gave him everything and watched him gum away!

I agree with everyone above. They can really do some damage with those gums!! :)

I agree, too!
My son is 12 months and I give him wheat toast, pasta, chopped veggies, chopped fruit, shredded chicken/turkey, crackers, etc... But it's all cut up pretty small. Pea sized, I guess. Oh, and he has 4 top teeth and 2 bottom.

He only has two bottom teeth. the front ones. I am at the point where I give him little chunks of about everything now. As long as it is not a choking hazard. It has to be small enough for him to swallow whole without chocking on it. Gerber makes lots of stuff that disolves. Little crackers and puffs. He has to eat he is a growing boy. It's not his fault his teeth have not come in yet. Can't live off milk alone. He still wakes up so hungry at night. Don't know what else to try.. It is a little at a time as we learn together everyday.:gimi:

Brenna didn't get her first tooth until 19 months and she ate everything! At almost 2 1/2 she has 12. Nothing bothered here, if it was in front of her she ate it.

~Kerrie

Whoa, this is an old thread!

I agree though, Kincaid ate table food at 8 months old and didn't get teeth till 10 months old...they really don't need them to eat most solids!

I didn't notice the dates!

~Kerrie