Progressing through textures when weaning.
For many families, moving on from pureed solids can seem like a daunting task, when thinking about what textures to introduce, how to know if your baby is managing and what to do if they gag or choke as you progress through solid foods. This article will help you progress through textures and gives hints and tips to help if you get stuck on pureed foods
How do I know my baby is ready to move on from purees?
Most babies will be ready to progress to thicker purees after around two weeks of starting solids and will be ready to trial more textured foods around a month after you have introduced purees. This will have given them some time to get used to taking the puree from the spoon and also get used to using their lips, tongue and cheeks to move the puree around in their mouth to swallow. You may notice that around this time, your baby is starting to bring more toys to their mouths and bite on them, or even to start to bite down on your fingers or clothes when they play. This is an important part of feeding development, your baby is learning to use their jaw for biting, a skill they will need as they progress through different textures. This teething toy* is great for chewing and biting practice.
Why is my baby having difficulty with transitioning on from purees?
Some babies may be more likely to prefer smoother textures. In my experience, babies that may find textured foods difficult:
Were born prematurely or small for gestational age
Have had/are having growth concerns in the first 6 months
Have had a sensitive gag reflex
Have had reflux and/or food allergies with gut symptoms
Have had feeding difficulties in infancy
May have a tongue tie or large tonsils or something else physical which makes feeding more challenging.
The reasons why some babies may struggle will be variable and individual to each baby.For example, it can be related to their oral experiences, their digestion or heightened sensitivity to new things around the face and mouth.
In some cases it is also part of a dynamic between parent and baby, for example if the parent is worried about gagging and choking, they may not progress them as quickly away from smooth puree onto more textures solids.
Some babies may need a gradual introduction to textures, so start off slowly if your baby is having difficulty. Often starting with a small amount of textured food next to the puree, and eating the food alongside your baby can help them to learn that the new food texture is safe. Try to offer the food without pressure, and encourage your baby’s curiosity and confidence with exploring the food. Try not to worry if it takes a few tries before your baby shows interest in the new food. Each time you are exposing them to the new food, they are learning from it (and you!)
How can I help my baby move on to textured foods?
Introduce your baby to mashed/lumpy foods shortly after they start eating puree foods. You can start to try to mash foods with a fork instead of blending them- this will help your child get used to the feel of lumps and grains in their mouth.
You can make the puree food thicker each time to help your baby get used to moving thicker textures around in their mouth. You can use a thick, smooth mash for your baby if they are finding lumps difficult at first, and then gradually introduce some soft lumps for them.
Try to avoid offering purees from pouches and jars where possible. There are many benefits to home cooked food, and remember that each time you serve home cooked food to your baby it is likely to be a slightly different texture, which helps your child gets used to having small lumps or grains of food in their mouth, even when you have blended the food. This will all help with them moving on to textured food.
Remember that some gagging on new textures is ok. It’s a step that your baby may go through as they learn to control more textured food, moving it back in their mouth to swallow it. Gagging is a safety mechanism that babies have to prevent choking and can be caused when the new texture hits the back of their throat before they are really used to it. After your baby gags they may spit the food out, or sometimes they may swallow it again! By continuing to present the textured food to your baby, they will get used to the sensation in their mouth and this should reduce their gagging.
As a parent, it is important that you know the difference between gagging and choking.
Offer finger foods alongside the puree. Your baby is usually ready for finger foods when they can sit unsupported, and when they can bring their hands up to their mouth. Offering finger foods is a great way to develop your baby’s self-feeding skills and also their early biting and chewing skills. You can start with softer finger foods like avocado or roasted vegetable and then move to finger foods that require more biting and chewing as your baby gets used to biting down on foods and moving them around in their mouth.
Use a loaded spoon- this is when you scoop the new texture onto a spoon and put the spoon in front of your baby, or hold it out for them to grasp. You don’t take it to their mouth They do! It works best with a short handled spoon such as this one by Doddl*(enter code DODDLFES10 at checkout for 10% off.) and a thicker puree. This gives your baby control over bringing the spoon to their own mouth and the experience of the new texture- when they are holding the spoon, they are in control of licking, tasting or maybe putting the spoon all the way back in their mouth if they want! Giving your baby control over the spoon can help them feel more confident to try to explore the new texture you are offering them.
If you are stuck progressing through textures while weaning and you would like support.Please speak to your GP or Health Visitor and request a referral to a speech therapist, alternatively you can contact me for help and support.
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