By what age do i need to teach my baby to eat on his own?

Question

My son is a year old and does eat pureed solids as he has just stared teething. When do i need to teach him to feed himself.

Answer 1

I feel that as all babies are individuals, its entirely down to him. My best advice is to just chill and let things happen naturally. Your baby will try finger foods first (toast and etc) and from then move onto a spoon for yoghurt and cereals. Forks take some time and our son (3) is still not on knives. We don't mind. There's no rush and putting pressure on him will put pressure on you.

Good luck. Enjoy your son. A baby is a wonderful experience, and he won;t be a baby for long.

Answer 2

Its not like teaching him the alphabet. Just put an animal cracker in front of him and see if he picks it up and makes for his mouth.

If he does, he's ready to start feeding some things to himself.

Let him start with crackers, pieces of fruit (no grapes) and other stuff that will dissolve and not be likely to choke him. He'll move up to things like hot dogs, chicken nuggets and other foods in his own time.

Answer 3

Each child will develop at thier own pace. Offer your baby an easy to grip toddler spoon, and safe finger foods during feeding time. When he is ready, he will start trying to pick up the food and get it into his mouth on his own, and he will start practicing getting food onto his spoon and into his mouth. I used the gerber graduate finger foods, they are healthy, safe, and most dissolve easily in thier mouths.

Answer 4

i'd say now. start off with mashed potatoes, and mabey soft, small peices of veg, never anything hard, or too long, he might choke on, like uncut green beans. the main thing is soft, food he can mush up in his mouth.