We started down this road a long long time ago - the Dustbin (as he has been rechristened by anybody who has seen him eat) is now 21 months. At first, he hardly ate a thing - refused nothing, but swallowed very little. This went on until he was 9 months. Then he had days when he'd eat quite a bit, followed by days when he'd eat next to nothing. Still not sleeping through. At 11 months, he had mostly good days - 3 meals, 2 snacks, still not really sleeping through (can you see the theme here? OK, I'll let you in on the secret - food and sleep are not linked.) We had no problems with poo, burps, farts, strange grumbly noises. But the DB gets occasional tummy ache now when he has eaten vast quantities too quickly, and his huge intake of fruit and veg means that his nappies are generally toxic. Gagging was a feature at each meal for a good 2 weeks. We also found that the concentration involved in eating meant that he needed to nap more frequently than before being weaned. The mess and dropped food remains a feature to this day, although it is much much better than when we started and I don't really think he eats any less tidily than the average toddler. His only food quirk is that he does not like his grub to be all mixed up. This is very inconvenient since it rules out such yumminesses as shepherd's pie or stew. But I have learned not to whinge out loud about this, since I am much envied by other mothers whose toddlers eschew all green stuff. Would we do it again? In a heartbeat. In fact, by Christmas, I hope the DB will be pointing and squealing 'choking, mummy, choking' as his little brother or sister endures the same gagging outrage that the DB went through at Christmas 2005. Such fun!!!!