Eating with Fingers and Using a Spoon

Looking for new experiences, baby puts his hands in the food. Do we let him?

Babies have a need to touch the food, to explore and learn. It is the first step towards autonomy, as by feeding himself he detaches himself little by little from mother. It is a lot of work for mother, but it only lasts a certain time.

Anticipate
Before every meal attach a large bib around baby's neck or for total protection slip on one of your old T-shirts. Use a plate with a suction pad to avoid it being thrown.

When is the right time for a spoon?
Eating with its fingers is only a stage, not an end in itself. Between 18 and 24 months is the time to encourage use of the spoon. Of course, success will not happen overnight - baby needs time to tame this new implement. Some tips to help him eat like a grown up:

1) Start by giving him a spoon from time to time
2) Show him how to do it (little ones learn by imitation)
3) Give him baby cutlery
4) Be calm and encouraging.

Meals that end in a nightmare
Food in the ears, spoon on the floor, baby is excited. How do you react? Remember this is a phase. Your baby throws everything up in the air - just like adults sometimes. Baby has the right to be tired, annoyed, bad tempered and express himself. If he leaves his meal, he has probably had enough and is no longer hungry. Take him away from the table even if you think he has not eaten enough.

Some tips to make meal time pleasurable
1) If possible have the whole family together for mealtimes - take advantage to be together to talk.
2) Do not distract baby by playing with him whilst he is eating.
3) Surprise baby once a week by offering a cake for tea, a picnic in the living room, a supper of mushrooms