My daughter has been eating solids for almost 2 months now. Ever since we started, she is very interested in grabbing the spoon and eating from it. But she grabs the food part, not the handle, and gets it everywhere. I want to encourage her to discover things on her own, but it makes me dread feeding her. When will she learn? Should I discourage her grabbing the spoon?
Has anyone else had this experience?
2006-07-19 07:50:14 · 19 answers · asked by happymommy 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Hahaha..My daughter does the same,guide her hand to the handel when she tries to grab it, let her think that she is feeding her self but still hold the spoon too other wise you've got a disaster on your hands, but it can be fun and interesting. My baby loves it.
2006-07-19 08:02:30 · answer #1 · answered by Tara S 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its natural for a young child to be inquizative. How old is she?
If you are feeding her in a highchair, try putting some finger foods on the tray to keep her focussed on those and not on the spoon you are using to feed her. Depending on her age of course, things like frozen peas, cherrios, small bits of banana or watermelon.
I think it is good to expose kids to the "feel" of things. Cold warm soft hard, mushy etc. This is a perfect time for you to teach your daughter about the different textures.
If you are not happy with the mess she may create put a vinyl table cloth under her highchair to catch the food that drops and help with the floor clean up. Have a wet wash cloth handy to wipe her up too. Or just head straight to the tub after lunch for another fun time together where she can enjoy the water.
As your daughter grows she will become a less messy eater, but don't hurry the process. . .just enjoy that she is experiencing and learning.
2006-07-19 15:00:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't discourage her. It means she is showing interest in feeding herself. Let her grab for the spoon and gently turn it around the correct way if she grabs for the wrong end. Be prepared for her to make a mess for awhile. Sounds like she's doing great. My daughter wasn't interested in feeding herself for a long time and was content to have me spoon feed her.
2006-07-19 14:58:04 · answer #3 · answered by herdoula 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give baby a clean spoon to practice in between your feeding her getting "bites" to her mouth that is all she is trying to do is do what mommy is doing. She will drop it pick it up and give it back to her. Or put a dap of food on her spoon and let her pracice. It will get a little better but that's the point of letting her do it her self is so she will be independent. My 20 month old could feed himself very well at 14 months.
2006-07-19 15:26:29 · answer #4 · answered by *bossy* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any of us who have fed a baby, have been through it. She is curious, you might hand her a spoon of her own to hold. Use a bib to protect her clothes or let her eat in her diaper. It takes a while. You must be patient, not too big of bites at a time and know that when you are done you may have to go straight to the sink to clean up. Definitely not a task you can get in a hurry with!!!!
2006-07-19 15:02:07 · answer #5 · answered by kayboff 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you could give her a spoon to hold while you are feeding her. Then she'll just play with that or try to start getting food on it like you do.
One thing I've never minded (surprisingly) is my child getting messy, and I've been very impressed because she's never really made any huge messes or anything! I feel lucky...
Just remember everything is always washable (baby too!) and that stage won't always last... Just take plenty of messy face pictures and enjoy it while she's little!
2006-07-19 14:58:36 · answer #6 · answered by angelbaby 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's common, it is part of their learning new things. Yes it's messy, but let her self feed, she needs to someday anyway. It's very normal and should be encouraged. She will eventually use the utensils the correct way, but in due time. Be patient and let her eat how she wants to eat. Do not discourage it, it will only cause problems later.
2006-07-19 14:55:00 · answer #7 · answered by masmalan2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i always let my son feed himself once he was able to pick up things. i always gave him a spoon, showed him how to use it, but in the end he wound up just using his hands anyway.
always let your baby feed themselves though, no matter how messy it gets! it is a natural part of learning to self feed. eventually she will do it the "right" way, mainly from watching others eat with utensils. just make sure she eats with you and the rest of the family, and don't discourage her from being messy.
there is no real timeframe for children to learn how to use a spoon or fork, but my son has mastered his utensils pretty much and he is two. if you always feed your baby yourself, she will never learn!
in the meantime, it might be advisable if you buy a cheap shower curtain to put under her high chair. wipe it up after meal time, and occasionally toss in the wash, and air dry. :-)
2006-07-19 14:56:19 · answer #8 · answered by curious 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter who is a twin still does that and she is one but my oldest daughter who is two stopped that at about one but its different for each child. You should let her keep doing that and she will figure out that if she grabs the food then she cant eat it off the spoon.
2006-07-19 14:54:51 · answer #9 · answered by Bree 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let her grab the spoon, but hold the handle closer to her hand so she learns to grab that, the boy i babysit (he is 10 mos) does something similar but with his bottle ( well more like a sippy cup) he would grab it backwards so what i do is turn it in his hand allowing him to learn it easier to hold it forward, and now he grabs it forward, so let her grab it while still guiding her not to grab the spoon part of it
2006-07-19 14:57:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋