Self Feeding – Spoon?

[Anonymous]

So at Marisa’s one year visit yesterday the Ped asked if she was trying to

messily feed herself with a spoon. I said no – she only wants to bite on and

play with the spoon. He said for the first 5 minutes of each meal to hand her

a spoon and see if she’ll feed herself the puree or whatever and then help

her after that. I dont’ mind any mess but that seems a little much to me

since she doesn’t really show interest in self feeding with a spoon and only

does well with a limited amount of finger foods. What do you guys think? Try

that? Give her a spoon but feed her with one at same time? Something else

entirely?

[Anonymous]

Humm..no tips Karen as we’re not there yet-sorry. BUT, I am seeing the OT on Friday again (started therapy yesterday) and we’re working with getting Ian to feed himself a bottle as even when he starving he refuses to drink himself. Maybe I can pick up some transferable tips and ask her about spoons too? I know the feeding clinic told us start to chop up FF that Ian likes (such as banana) and serve them on a spoon so he connects the dots that food can be either on a spoon or finger fed.

BTW-I still have to email you back but we tried chicken nuggets (picked up from your suggestions) and he loves it. Have you tried the dinosaur ones at whole foods-they’re gluten and dairy free but I think taste better then the bell evans ones. They’re also alot softer so maybe Marisa would go for them more?

[Anonymous]

Karen, I realize that Kaelyn isn’t a good example because she didn’t have many feeding issues, but we used to let her play with a spoon while we fed her. She liked playing with it and then started actually trying to help us feed her. At some point (I think around 14 or 15 months) she started refusing to let us feed her with a spoon because she wanted to do it herself.

[Anonymous]

I personally don’t think there’s any rush, but it can’t hurt to put one down on the tray and let her play around with it. They don’t actually get the hang of it until quite a bit later. But watch out, once she realizes that she can try it herself, she might not let you spoon feed her anymore. Hailey goes nuts if we try to spoon feed her, as she wants to try herself, but unfortunately, little to none goes into her mouth that way.

[hellbennt]

jonah was late on the utensil thing, lol! I used to worry! but he’s more than fine now well, what’s ‘late?’ it’s just that his buddies were a bit ahead of him using spoons and then forks…anyway, we just let him have a spoon to play around with…heck, he still will go to eat with his fingers from time to time. when we’re with grandma (mil) I feel embarassed and mention something to him about manners (he’s 3 so we can have these discussions, LOL) but she always surprises me and says to let him enjoy and use his hands…

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. I think I will just continue to give her a spoon while I’m feeding

her and if she starts to feed herself or try or seem interested just encourage

her? I like this Ped but he is very “old school” and really seemed big on just

letting her do it for 5 minutes first – but she’s hungry and wants to eat!

Tracy – I might walk over to Whole Foods later or otherwise tomorrow. So

are they near the Bell Evans nuggets (the Dinosaur ones)? I may try those! Let

me know what your OT says as well and good luck!

[Anonymous]

When Emma was Marisa’s age she really didn’t have much interest in using a spoon and she still isn’t now. The fork on the other hand she loves to use, especially with her hot dogs. I agree with everyone, there is no rush, they will do it when they want. Before long they will be telling you “I do it” so until then I’m just doing whatever works.

[Anonymous]

My girls weren’t using a spoon to self feed until at least 15 – 18 months. I think your doc is rushing her. I always let them play with a spoon, though. When they were ready they tried it and picked it up quickly. Just like everything else, when they’re ready the learning comes easily.

The Gerber Little Dippers are great for practicing spoon feeding.

[Anonymous]

I agree and so does DH – so we’ll continue as we have been. We are going to

try fish sticks soon, although I don’t want to try anything new until we’re

past the reaction timeframe for the MMR shot and then will probably try milk

first. I will definitely pick up those spoons too Christine!

[hellbennt]

safe fish chart (scroll down for chart)

http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/quicklist-deta il.asp?Main_ID=716

[Anonymous]

That seems really early to me too! I let Isaac play with the spoon or fork while I feed him and he has NO interest in feeding himself now. I know my niece started when she was 18 months old and my sis never tried to get her to do it on her own. I think there is no need to push I think they will do it when they are ready!

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