Yeah, I totally get the mushy veggie struggle. My kiddo got so sick of pureed carrots, I thought she’d stage a revolt. We did a lot of roasted sweet potatoes and mashed avocado—both soft but not totally bland. Sometimes I’ll sneak in some spinach into scrambled eggs or blend cooked veggies into soups, which somehow feels less “baby food” than straight-up mush. The menu does get repetitive for a bit, but it’s usually just a phase until their mouth calms down.
I totally hear you on the “mushy veggie struggle”—my youngest basically declared war on mashed peas after week two. But I’ve actually found that sometimes, sticking to *just* soft foods ends up making things harder in the long run. Like, I get the idea that their mouths need a break, but in our case, we tried easing in some slightly firmer stuff sooner than I was told, and it seemed to help with the “food boredom” (and the pickiness that came with it).
“Sometimes I’ll sneak in some spinach into scrambled eggs or blend cooked veggies into soups, which somehow feels less ‘baby food’ than straight-up mush.”
I love this idea, but I’ll admit, my kiddo caught on fast and started picking out the green bits. What worked for us was doing really tiny, steamed veggie pieces mixed into things like mac and cheese or even soft rice. I was nervous at first—worried it’d hurt or get stuck—but as long as it was super well-cooked and cut small, it was fine. It seemed to give her a break from the monotony, and she got used to “real” textures again without a big jump.
Another thing—if you’re open to it, I found that letting my daughter help pick out or prep her lunch (even if it’s just stirring or choosing what goes in a wrap) made her more willing to try new combos. We did a lot of soft wraps with hummus, shredded chicken, and grated carrot. Not mushy, but still braces-friendly.
I guess my main point is: sometimes a little variety—even if it’s just a different shape or texture—can make a huge difference. I know every kid’s different, and I’m definitely not saying to ignore the ortho’s advice, but maybe don’t be afraid to experiment a bit if the mush phase is driving everyone nuts. It’s a balancing act, for sure...
- Totally agree on the food boredom thing—my kid got tired of the “pudding diet” within days.
- We tried mixing up textures too, like really soft roasted sweet potato cubes or tiny bits of avocado in tortillas. It wasn’t a huge risk, and it helped her feel like she wasn’t stuck eating baby food forever.
- Letting her “design” her own lunch was hit or miss, but sometimes she’d surprise me and actually eat the veggies she picked.
- Definitely a balancing act between following the ortho’s advice and keeping things interesting... but I think you’re right, a little variety goes a long way.
Mixing up textures is key—my kid flat-out refused applesauce after week one. Honestly, I started tossing in soft cheese cubes and mashed beans with rice, just to break the monotony. Not every experiment worked, but hey, at least it wasn’t all Jell-O every day.
Mixing it up is definitely the way to go, especially when you’re dealing with picky eaters and braces at the same time. My youngest had braces put on last fall, and suddenly all her favorite crunchy snacks were off the table—she was so bummed. Applesauce lasted about two days before she declared it “too slimy.” I get it, honestly.
I started sending her with little containers of cottage cheese mixed with fruit, or pasta salad with soft veggies and shredded chicken. She actually got excited about lunch again once there was some variety. Soft cheese cubes are a good call—I do those too, sometimes with some hummus and pita if I’m feeling ambitious in the morning.
One thing I found tricky was figuring out what would stay fresh until lunchtime without getting weird or mushy. Some of my experiments were flops—like, steamed broccoli just doesn’t hold up in a lunchbox, no matter how you pack it. But yogurt tubes and overnight oats have been solid winners for us.
Have you run into any issues with certain foods sticking in the brackets? My kiddo can’t stand when stuff gets caught, especially rice or beans. I’m always looking for ideas that are both easy to chew and don’t make brushing after lunch a nightmare. How do you handle that?
