This is so ridiculous, I know, but I was SO excited to see Connor eat some meat yesterday!! I got these soy based chicken nuggets and, while he spit some out at first, he tried some more and liked them!!
So, ladies, invest in Morningstar because this lady is going to buy buy buy!!! It has really low fat, high iron, and high protein.
And, he likes the toddler cereal that has 60% iron. He won't eat it like a cereal, but he'll eat the dry flakes. He is TRULY opposed to anything goopy, lumpy, or mushy. This really made my day yesterday!

I've been worried about his protein/iron intake. I had to lower his milk to 24oz a day so that he would #1- eat more and #2- Get more iron in his system. My aunt who is a doctor recommended this since his speech is a little delayed. I'm not completely worried about his speech, but I was worried about protein/iron and him not eating as much as he should. He was getting too much dairy.

By Amecmom on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:32 am:

When I saw the title of the post, I said to myself, "It must be Connor! Yeah!" I'm so glad. Do you think the delay may be related to him not having enough foods that require chewing? I know with my first he spit out anything solid and did not get the chewing he needed to strengthen his jaw, lip and tongue muscles. Also, I gave my son Borage oil, which is high in Omega Fatty Acids which are found in proteins. If he wasn't getting enough meat, then at least I was sure he was getting the essential nutrients he needed.
Glad he likes the soy!
Ame

By Zoie on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:59 am:

Some totally unsolicited advice... but your comment that he is opposed to anything goopy, lumpy, or mushy could indicate some oral sensory issues that you might want to look into, especially combined with the fact that you say his speech is a little delayed. If you're interested in investigating this, your state's early intervention/Birth to Three program should be able to give you a speech evaluation and an occupational therapy evaluation at no cost to determine whether or not there may be a problem. And as posted above, there could be oral motor problems contributing to both speech and feeding that could be easily rectified with some exercises.

Zoie

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 12:27 pm:

Thanks, Zoie...yes, my aunt (the doctor I mentioned above) recommended that. PamT, who is a member on here and speech pathologist, also recommended this. I couldn't find one in Maryland yet, but I only checked with limited time online. I'm calling my pediatrician today about it though.

By Tayjar on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 12:52 pm:

Here is a link that might be helpful. I don't know how to post links just yet.


http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/specialed/infant_toddlers/directories/local_program.htm

By Vicki on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 02:50 pm:

Just a word of caution...don't buy stock in the company just yet. Sometimes what they have eaten for days, they will no longer eat! LOL As quick as you think they start to like something they stop eating it again. At least my dd has always been this way.

By Heaventree on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 03:11 pm:

Heidi,

I'm not sure if this will be helpful or not, but Matt does not eat a lot of meat either. You could try teaching him how to dip. We go to a chicken place here where they serve a bbq sauce on the side, Matt loved to dip french fries.

So now I put a little sauce (like plum sauce) in a small plastic container and I cut everything into strips rather than small pieces. He dips everything, chicken, vegetables, bread etc. It seems to help get him going when he's having an off day with food.

I find if he is just dipping and sucking the sauce off the food or playing too much I take the sauce away and I don't do this with every meal, just once in awhile to make things more interesting. You could try fruit and yogurt as well.

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 04:47 pm:

Thanks, Heaventree! And Vicki! And Dora!
I looked at the website...I'll definitely give them a call. I'm surprised I couldn't find them? I looked up "Early Childhood Intervention" and couldn't find anything substantiative. (Is that a word?) LOL
And, Vicki, you're right...he once loved peaches but now he screams when I put them on his tray the other day.
Heaventree, I will try the dip! I'll let you know how it goes!!

By Andi on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 05:00 pm:

Great job Connor!

Taylor loves pork, turkey and chicken have you tried all of those?

By Pamt on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 08:58 pm:

Yippee!

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 10:11 pm:

Haven't tried pork yet...every time we make it for ourselves, it has too many spices on it. But, we will try!! :-) Good ideas!