Scenario 1

Nicholas is a 13-month old with developmental delay. His pediatrician is concerned because he does not eat solid food. He does not have reflux, but his parents feel he may have problems with swallowing. His measurements appear to be within normal limits, and his parents report that his growth pattern has not changed over the past few months.

You ask his family about his feeding history, and his parents report that he used to eat solids (they were introduced when Nicholas was about 4 or 5 months old), but he quickly stopped eating them.

Now, he takes a standard infant formula, in amounts that provide adequate amounts of energy, protein, fluid, and micronutrients. Nicholas’s family continues to offer solid foods to him; he will play with the foods, but will not eat them.

Is it appropriate to expect Nicholas to eat solid foods at age 13 months?