all mixed together

[Snacks]

I have given Phoebe finger foods since day 1 on solids (about 5.5 months) however due to us going out a bit and convenience, she also used to have a jar of commercial food pretty regularly - I'd say she'd have at least 1 every second day between the ages of 8 months and 12 months. Then she became more interested in sandwiches (much more portable, LOL!) and the like, so we ditched the jars of mush.
However, she is now refusing all veges and most meat (sometimes she will eat some hamburger pattie/rissole)... UNLESS I mush it up with some gravy! Just discovered this tonight as I served up chicken chasseur with veg and she wouldn't eat it as finger food but once I mushed it together she ate chicken, potato, pumpkin, broccoli and gravy.
Is this a bad thing? If I serve food to her this way is that a step backwards, or would you do it if it means getting some good nutrients into her?
Having a 3yo who eats practically nothing has made me pretty paranoid. This time I want to do everything in my power to encourage my kid to eat like a normal person.

[MrsFabuloso]

I would give it to her however she will eat it. Maybe give her some of it mashed and some of it whole, kwim? Could she be teething and just have a bit of a sore mouth, so mush is just easier for her to eat for now? I think as long as she eats other foods whole, like fruit or crackers or toast or what ever and she is chewing that sort of stuff fine (ie, her tongue and mouth muscles work- chewing can be important for speaking skills!), then giving her dinner/lunch in mush form wouldn't matter. I would rather she had the goodness of a mushed dinner than nothing at all....

[MantaRay]

I would go with flow. If she will eat them mushed, then at least you know she's getting what she needs. I'd continue to offer them to her as finger foods too - the more she's exposed to them the more likely it is that one day she'll eat them. You could also experiment with making the mush lumpier, or even try putting small bits in the gravy and see if she still eats them. But I don't think there's any harm in giving her the vegies and meat in the form she'll eat them.

[Snacks]

Ooh, yeah, it's by no means a fine puree.
Thanks for the input. I think I'll keep giving her the mash then, and, thanks to you both for the suggestion - I'll offer it as finger food at the same time as well.
Interestingly enough, she has no trouble eating junk with her fingers Tonight she is wolfing down chicken nuggets and chips. Hasn't touched the salad! (But had salad and fish at lunch so I don't mind).

[wysiwyg]

They are strange little things aren't they - CJ eats well but is unpredictable when it comes to what form of food prefers at a particular time. Some times seems finger food is the go, other times not interested in that and only wants stuff she can eat with a spoon or fork (prior to 12 months wouldn't touch a spoon or fork - but now often it has to be a standard adult metal fork and nothing else will do) - last week she insisted on eating green beans by putting the end of the bean into my mouth first and then taking it out with her mouth and eating it!!!! When we are at the park I spend my life trying to stop her eating wood chips so how can she be so fussy about what form her food is in I just don't know!!! I just try to go with the flow.

[Snacks]

When we are at the park I spend my life trying to stop her eating wood chips so how can she be so fussy about what form her food is in I just don't know!!!

PMSL! Yes. I just caught P gnawing on the end of a cardboard roll... Surely veges taste better than that?!?

[angelaartsstudent]

I would "go with the flow" too. P is 16 month and won't touch meat if it's not mince cooked up like a cottage pie or a bolognaise sauce. I just figure she doesn't like the chewy texture of chunks of meat.