How can we get our 1yr old to put things in his mouth?

Question

Our baby has always had an adversity to picking things up and putting it in his mouth, which has been a real blessing so far. The only thing he will actually pick up and put in his mouth is his pacifier. The problem arises with finger foods and such, he refuses anything, it doesn't matter how "tastey" it is, even his favorite food, bananas, he will not eat unless given to him on a spoon. It's gotten so bad, lately, that he won't even let US feed him finger food, unless it's on a spoon.

This isn't really a problem, except that we wonder is this going to be a problem with later development. So the question is 1.) is this going to be a problem with his develpment and 2.) is there anything we can do to get him start eating fingerfoods?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I have been a child care provider for 20 years. I have a little guy right now in my care who turned 1 on March 3. He has the same eating pattern as your son. Just last week, I gave him a piece of macaroni and cheese on his high chair tray and he actually picked it up and put it in his mouth for the first time. What I do that seems to work is when the baby begins to eat pieces of food rather than pureed food, I put one or two pieces on the high chair tray while I am feeding them with a spoon. Many babies begin trying to pick them up and put them in their mouth pretty quickly, but some also just play with the pieces for awhile. Some ignore the pieces or throw them on the floor. It is a learning experience for them, so just keep offering him a piece or two on his tray at his meals and snacks. Eventually he will get to the point when he wants to check it out. Some babies have more sensitivity to how things feel and even though he may love bananas, you have to admit they are quite slimy and he may just not like the texture on his fingers, yet. His development will be fine. Try some different textured foods such as Cheerios, small pieces of meat, pasta, bite size pieces of toast, string cheese cut into slices and than 1/4's. Just place one or two pieces of something on his tray and let him decide to pick it up when he is ready.

Answer 2

He is probably a serious eater. "I'm hungry. No time for playing around, just put the spoon in my mouth!" Try feeding him enough to keep him happy right before you eat. Then, let him sit in high chair at the table with food he can eat while you guys eat. Monkey see; monkey do. Even if he just decides to play with it instead of eat, it's a step forward. Also, maybe he'd like to try feeding himself with utensils. I have a daughter who is starting this. Lot's of tips here:
*Get suction cup bottomed bowls to put his food in so he wont have to chase it around the tray. (Kroger is where I found mine)
*My daughter holds regular baby spoons by the v-e-r-y tip (??? who knows ???) so I found some that have a short fat ring type handle to grip. problem solved.
*Most foods are hard to balance on spoon. Mix it up. Last night I gave my girl black eyed peas which she could never eat with a spoon on their own. I stirred a tiny glob of mashed potatoes in her bowl with them to act as "glue" so they would stick to her spoon long enough to hit her mouth. She ate the whole meal this way.
POINT TO REMEMBER: If he is a serious eater, he won't try any of this on an empty tummy. Experiment only after he's a good appetizer but could still eat more.

Answer 3

It could be your baby just does not like getting dirty. Do you have any play dough? If he is supervised he can play with that. Dont forget there are recipes for other strange gunk you can make at home with flower water and baking soda. What about finger paints? Incourage play with things like that. Then try the finger food again. Can he try and feed himself with a spoon. It might be messy but this ways he will discover food falling off of his spoon, picking it up and putting it back on the spoon. And then he might find it is just easier to pick it up and put it in his mouth himself. Hope this helps! Good luck and good health to you and yours!

Answer 4

It sounds as thopugh your child may have some sensory issues. Discuss this with your doctor. Also it is a good idea to have a full developmental screening.
Early Intervention Programs can usually be found in the community pages of your phone book or by contacting your department of education.
If sensory issues are involved it may mean developmental or speech therapy. Don't wait too long as it is easier for the child if these issues are diagnosed early.

Answer 5

LOL My son was the same way!!
He HATED to get "yucky" things on his fingers. He never ate 'finger-foods' with his fingers.......he HAD to use a spoon. Sometimes I spoon fed him, other times he would literally sit at the high chair for a hour or more trying to get that piece of fruit on a spoon!
I bought him toddler size forks and taught him to 'poke' everything.......the only foods he would ever pick up with his fingers were 'dry' foods like crackers or cookies (not messy).
He did like to have a washcloth on his high chair tray...just in case he got something on his hands! lol

He NEVER played in the mud, or with bugs, fingerpaint, playdough or anything that would stick to his hands! (very rare for a boy)
my son is now 13.........he STILL hates to have sticky/dirty hands........

Answer 6

Your baby is only 12 mo old, he is still a BABY. If he likes to be fed with a spoon thats ok. When he feels its time to feed himself, he will. Look at it this way, have you ever seen a 5 yr old being fed by his mom with a spoon? Don;t try to make your baby grow up too fast, it goes by fast enough as it is.

Answer 7

i would put cherios on the couch or coffe table and show him you eating them right off the coffe table or couch with your mouth cut out the hand work and make funny noises when you do it he'll want to copy you plus once he starts he won't want to stop you could also do this with french fries or anything good just to get him started on the finger food solids or you can just give him a bowl full of cherios and a spoon its hard to eat off a spoon and much easier to eat with your finger you could snack with him with your hands while he struggles with the spoon maybe he'll see you and want to try

i don't think it'll be a problem he probably sees you eating with your spoon and wants to be grown up you could just cut everything up and put it in a bowl so he can eat it with a spoon

Answer 8

All children are different...each of mine reacted differently to new experiences (especially with food)...Don't push the issue too much, it could backfire. I would just be patient and keep offering it. I leave a little bowl of cheerios for my son on an end table for him to discover on his own...good luck!

Answer 9

This is a hard question and one that needs addressed by his doctor. First don't try to force the baby to put things in his mouth it will only make matters worse.
Second your baby may have sensory issues and maybe causing this issues and may need to see a speech therapist. I would have a chat with his doctor and see what he/she may think I am sure things will get better with time.