Peas are apparently over the line.
Nicholas has been, until today, an excellent eater. He's tried sweet potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes and corn, pears, applesauce, peaches, bananas, and a combo of bananas, apples, and pears. When first trying each food, he would often make a bit of a face at the new flavor. But each time he finished the container, and by the second container seemed to thoroughly enjoy the new food, whatever it was.
After two meals we're not even halfway through the first container of peas. Nicholas has decided that he does. not. like. peas. The first bite he took energetically (how should he know what's coming until it gets there?), but then made a face that says, in any language, "ew, gross!!!" He clamped his mouth shut. Then he started crying, and I snuck a second spoonful into his mouth. So he started turning his head to the side so I couldn't reach his mouth, and was whimpering (since he couldn't open his mouth). We gave up after a few minutes and moved back to his usuals.
At dinner, we tried again, and by then he'd learned even more tricks. Not only did he refuse to take the mouthful, not only did he turn his head. Now he wanted to grab the spoon to play with—if I keep this away from Mommy, she can't put icky stuff on it! You could practically hear the gears working. Grandpa Dan suggested letting him put some on his fingers so he could acclimate himself that way, but that just made him more upset; that meant he couldn't even suck his thumb!
We're trying to look on the bright side. In about six hours, he learned a plethora of new skills and ways to communicate, all based on peas. Of course, he still won't eat them, and I'm not sure what will convince him to do so.
(And, frankly, the peas were actually not the greatest. I licked some off the spoon when we switched him to sweet potatoes, and the peas had a strange aftertaste. So I can sort of sympathize with the child. But don't tell him that.)
Anybody have any tips for smoothing the transition to the greens, short of holding his mouth open? That is, we're looking for solutions that don't involve Child Protective Services.
I'm 31 and STILL would rather any of those veggies to peas. Have you tried giving him a real pea or two? Same taste, but a whole new texture. I'm sure that it's not big enough for him to choke on - especially if it's cooked and a bit mushy. Just an idea!
ReplyDelete*I am not a doctor and would not pretend to be - I can't remember back that far for Abby, unfortunately!
He never finished that first container, but he ate enough that he seems like he's not allergic. So we may try one of the combos that includes peas at some point in January.
ReplyDeleteAnd we're utterly confused about when he gets to start anything that resembles "real" food. But when we do, an actual pea might be a good thing to give him early on. Mushy and small.