my baby will only eat finger foods!?

Question

my 14mth old baby will only eat finger foods as if i try to feed him with a spoon he wants to do it but cant get it in his mouth and gets cross! he will happily eat all sorts of finger foods but im a bit stuck for new ideas. would appreciate any ideas.cheers

Answer 1

my 12 month is the same at the moment. I used to let him have his own spoon while I was feeding him, and he seemed to be happy with that, he would put it in his mouth and take it out, I would then put the spoon with food on in. I have now changed slightly. I let him have his spoon, but hold his hand and guide it to the bowl to fill it then I guide it to his mouth. Once he has it in his mouth I let go of his hand and let him do the rest. It does take a long time to feed him now, but he is learning to do it himself. Every now and then I let him take the spoon to his mouth on his own to see if he is mastering it. I would advise getting a suction bowl and a rather large splash mat too as it does get a bit messy!!!

Answer 2

I remember when my 20 month old daughter was going through this - probably at around 14 months. She didn't want me to feed her anymore... she wanted to do it all by her independent self. I just gave her food she could pick up with her hands but put a spoon on her plate too. It will be really messing eating habits until she gets it down but she'll catch on sooner than you think. Looking back it seemed to take about a month and she had it down pat. I suggest taking her shirt off and letting her go at it and maybe even lay down an old sheet under her high-chair to catch all of the food that is guaranteed to land there. Good luck!

Answer 3

I think a lot of baby's go through this phase, it's an assertion thing. if you feel you need to get more nutrients into him by feeding him from a spoon, then try finding something to occupy his hands while you do so - obviously it's gonna get covered in baby food, but maybe something shiny and wipeable would be good. Alternatively try giving him his own spoon to play with... again still going to be messy, but at least while he's trying to play at copying you, you can get the odd spoonful in his mouth in between.

As for finger foods, pretty much anything we eat with a knife and fork can be eaten with the fingers - so try potato, baby carrots, and any other fruits and vegies that can be held. maybe also even try cutting up pieces of chicken or fish into smallish strips as well. Cheese is an obvious one, and I think you're covering most of the food groups with this lot. Good luck, and be persistant, they have to learn to do it themselves, but they also have to learn that sometimes it's mummy who is going to do it ;)

Answer 4

Hi there Nic P, The only way your baby is going to learn is to do it themselves. Tracy w is right in suggesting that you both have a spoon each. Don't give in to just finger foods because it may be easier and cleaner. Sit opposite your baby and eat your food with a spoon, show them how its done. I did this with all four of my children. Your baby will gain a great sense of achievement and independence. It will be very messy for a while, but your baby will learn quite soon. I wish you all the best! :o) x

Answer 5

Your baby is doing well, to expect a fourteen month to eat with a spoon and fork is not realistic. The fact that your baby wants to feed himself shows that he has determination and will adopt silverware when his dexterity is more developed, don't sweat the small stuff.

Answer 6

all babies go through this stage of wanting to be independant, i found the only way round this was to have a spoon each you feed him as well as him trying to feed himself, gets very messy but while he is busy learning how to use his spoon you can sneak a few spoonfulls into his mouth without him realising, good luck and i hope it works for you

Answer 7

keep practicing with the spoon.at 14 mnths try cooking little meatball cut the vegies into little pieces,egg you can make many egg dishes,slices of bread.virtually let him eat what you just cut into baby size pieces.he will with the spoon in the end.just wipe his hands and face after meals,and save on washing up

Answer 8

Just keep offering him utensils to eat with. Also, you should make sure that you eat as a family so that he can see you using utennsils.

He should get better by 6 months and it's good that he's trying.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

My son has only fed himself since he started solids. He will let us feed him, but its so much easier to let him feed himself :)

Steamed veggies are good. Whole wheat pastas, meat, fruits, eggs, toast, crackers...your options are really endless!

It can get messy sometimes... i just give him the messy stuff (speghetti, etc...) right before his bath. We had a night like that tonight :)