MOMMAS of kids eatting REAL solids.;..

Karen This is not an easy time, I know! Every meal has underlying panic that choking is a possibility.

I think I started giving Paul his Cheerios whole at around his 12 month bday. But, I can be a little overly cautious about that stuff, I admit.

Just last night, I was feeding him a mini-hamburger and crumbling up the pieces of chopmeat, but he would not eat it. Finally, I just handed him the other half of the 'mini' burger and he took it, and promptly took a healthy bite out of it! Finished the rest w/no problem. I was laughing so hard b/c he was probably like - 'Mom, I've got molars...give me something to bite INTO!'

I am more at ease giving Paul certain foods 'whole' when they are soft. I will not give him Ritz crackers whole b/c they can be dry and sharp if he doesn't chew enough. Just use your judgement, and Emma will show you what she's comfortable with. And watch her closely as she eats....I know Paul will make a scared face if something isn't going down too easy...and then DH and I jump up frantically, ready to heave him upside down, to dislodge whatever might be stuck. It's not fun, but they get better

Claud i love knowing that paul is older than Emma and I can turn to you for some 'Ive just been there' advice (Heather thank you for your advice as well, you have a year or so of information to give us relativly new mommies)

I gave Emma whole Cherrios starting around 9 months. OMG I have this thing about giving Emma anything whole... even hamburger. She insists that a handful of Cheerios isnt enough in her mouth when she tries to stuff more in.

I guess i should wait till she has molars... she has 8 teeth. 4 top and 4 bottom. I guess Im just rushing things but the other day I was on the PJ ferry and there were twin girls 8 months old each with their own french fry happy as can be... and here i am making ant size portions for my 13 month old because I dont want her to choke.

She LOVES peas and carrots (Gerber Grads) and the ravioli things that they make... but I cut those in 1/2 too.

If I had a dollar for each time Emma made the 'mom/dad I might choke face'...

IM SO GLAD IM NOT ALONE !!!!!!!!!

I am also overly cautious like Claud. Claud, I remember seeing you feed Paul and I said 'now THATS my style' Because seeing my parents or sister feeding JA's cousins, makes me nervous
I dont know if its an ITalian thing to SHOVEL food into a kids mouth, but I dont like it one bit

I have so far given him pastina, cheerios (broken up), cottage cheese, bread, watermelon, and some others I cant think of...

I think its better to be overly cautious. Even with my 2 and 4yr old nieces, I'll say 'small bites, girls!' and then 'chew!!' because one of them has a tendency to forget to chew and just swallows these huge pieces!

So I guess this is something you do at your own pace and as you see your child comfortable with eating a certain amount, you can increase