[ASheppa0821]

When did everyone start trying to teach their little ones to feed themselves with utensils? When were you successful?

[Alejandros Mommy]

I have given Aiden his own spoon since he started eating solids....he still at 18mnths would rather use his hands then a spoon/fork but he is getting the hang of it

[songbirdxx]

A quick reply this time as I should really be working. I no more bothered with utensils than I did with potties. I spoon fed every meal PATIENTLY!! until their coordination was such that they could feed themselves without the food ending up everywhere but their mouths. That can take a long time. This was not because I couldnt cope with the mess, far from it as they used paint brushes before they used spoons! As for potty training, I dont believe in it. Why sress yourself by forcing an active todler to sit on a potty.When mine were 2 and 2 and a half (one took longer) they were both dry day and night and all I had to do was say Here is the toilet, sit on it and do your pee pees! (the rest came when needed)and you can tell by the look on their face if it is a number2!I did this at regular intervals and never used a nappy unless I was going out, mostly though I stayed in during this period as it was intensive and within a couple of weeks no nappies ever and they never sat on a potty once! Try it!

[KR258]

I gave Katelyn a spoon at 12 months and let her go at it...she still ends up using her hands but always starts the first 5 or so bites with the spoon. She usually does real good now at 16 months but also prefers her hand. Its fun to watch and usually a mess to clean but she actually eats more this way...if I try to feed her she protests and shuts her mouth and shakes her head no and the food ends up all over anyway.

[twinzplus3]

spoon feeding is not a skill you have to 'teach' per se. Spoons were within reach and when they wanted to use it they could. . .but I do start solids MUCH later than your average bear.

[ASheppa0821]

I've tried to give her a spoon, but she just looks at me... If I try to help her, she pulls away from me (she's VERY independent, and wants to do everything by herself...). I figured I'd really start trying at about a year, but a baby's coordination at that age isn't exactly what would accomodate feed themselves well (at least I wouldn't think it would be with a spoon, anyway...).

[mollymae]

I have always given Libby(14 months) a spoon to hold whilst i feed her, but josh had taken a yogurt and spoon in to the lounge room without me noticing last week. Libby found the yogurt and when i walked in she had the lid off and was sitting there spoon feeding herself!

Can you imagine the mess?

Actually it wasn't too bad, it was mostly just on face but boy did she scream when I tried to take the pot off of her!

[abramarie]

I started trying to spoon feed when she started on solids. (9 months, I think?) She didn't take to it at all so I stopped trying. After she turned 1 she started going through that wants-to-do-everything-the-big-people-do phase and started using utensils on her own. She's pretty good with them now and prefers regular spoons and forks as opposed to the toddler ones. Good luck!

[deegie]

I don't really remember when I started letting my youngest eat with a spoon himself. He's 16 months now, and insists on feeding himself, with a fork or spoon. I just let him. He usually makes a mess, but I don't care, as long as he stays at the table(I don't have a high chair)until he's done. He doesn't like to eat with his fingers, and doesn't like messes, so he tries really hard. It's pretty cute to watch, but a pain to clean up several times a day.

[KR258]

That's adorable! My daughter loves messes and I am pretty sure she works hard to make them everyday. So enjoy it!! I wish mine would be a little more neat.