Feeding themselves

OK..I'm sure this is completely normal but all of a sudden my son Cohen wants to feed himself and will not let me feed him. The thing is that he's not very good at it yet and doesn't get much food in his mouth at all. My other son Ethan will let me feed him until he notices that his brother is feeding himself and then he wants to as well. Well, he is worse than Cohen at it. Ethan will just mix up what ever is in the bowl as if he is stirring it and not even try to get the food in his mouth. Ahhhhh!!! I know they are just trying to be independent but of course I worry they aren't getting enough food/nutrients. They eat well for breakfast and let me feed them their oatmeal but lunch and dinner? No way. They do eat snacks throughout the day so I know they are getting some food in their bodies. Any suggestions?? I feel like all I've done this week is pot here!! I do appreciate the responses from you guys!

 

I wouldn't worry too much Brandi - they're probably getting in more than you think! also you can cut food up and let them have a fork or spoon - ie if I'm giving pb&j for lunch (for example) I'll tear it into little pieces and let them have a fork to eat it with - sometimes they get tired of it and just shovel via fingers!

 

I don't have any suggestions either as we are currently trying to use spoons...I give them a spoon every meal - but they usually hold it in one hand and eat with the other or toss it, unless its applesauce or yogurt, and then its VERY messy, all down their fronts...I've been going back to feeding them their yogurt and applesauce...I'm tired of the clean up...

 

My boys were slow to pick up on eating with utensils. I just made sure to give them a spoon or fork every meal so that they could get some practice. I found that once they finished playing with the spoon, they'd usually use their hands to eat their food - even messy stuff like oatmeal and yogurt. I also always made sure there was at least some finger food available so I could be sure they were eating something. My boys are two now and although they can both use a spoon or fork when needed, they use their hands to eat their food about 80% of the time.

 

QUOTE(AmynTony @ May 20 2008, 07:20 PM) [snapback]784187[/snapback]
I wouldn't worry too much Brandi - they're probably getting in more than you think! also you can cut food up and let them have a fork or spoon - ie if I'm giving pb&j for lunch (for example) I'll tear it into little pieces and let them have a fork to eat it with - sometimes they get tired of it and just shovel via fingers!


Thanks Amy! I will make sure I do that. I wish they liked pb&j!!! I think I have the weirdest children ever!! Who's kids don't like pb&j :laughing:

QUOTE(muskokatwins @ May 20 2008, 07:22 PM) [snapback]784191[/snapback]
I don't have any suggestions either as we are currently trying to use spoons...I give them a spoon every meal - but they usually hold it in one hand and eat with the other or toss it, unless its applesauce or yogurt, and then its VERY messy, all down their fronts...I've been going back to feeding them their yogurt and applesauce...I'm tired of the clean up...


It's so messy isn't it! I always say to myself (it's only food and can be cleaned up) but after they are done I dread the clean up. I guess they'll catch on sometime.

QUOTE(megginmj @ May 20 2008, 08:19 PM) [snapback]784331[/snapback]
My boys were slow to pick up on eating with utensils. I just made sure to give them a spoon or fork every meal so that they could get some practice. I found that once they finished playing with the spoon, they'd usually use their hands to eat their food - even messy stuff like oatmeal and yogurt. I also always made sure there was at least some finger food available so I could be sure they were eating something. My boys are two now and although they can both use a spoon or fork when needed, they use their hands to eat their food about 80% of the time.

Thanks for the advice. I know we'll get there I just worry. Too much I'm sure!!

 

QUOTE(Brandi78 @ May 20 2008, 08:27 PM) [snapback]784350[/snapback]
Who's kids don't like pb&j


Mine don't. <_<

Like the others said, it's normal. They need the practice, so it's actually a good thing that they want to do this. My two never seemed interested in using a spoon or fork and now at almost two they are HORRIBLE at it. All because I didn't want a huge mess, but that's going to happen now or later. So I have been letting them and the messes are getting better, but we still have a ways to go.

It's frustrating, I know. :hug99:

 

QUOTE(Brandi78 @ May 20 2008, 08:27 PM) [snapback]784350[/snapback]
Who's kids don't like pb&j

Mine don't either!!

My girls are super independent now too. I let them get in what they want/need. I figure if they are hungry, they will let me know. I have noticed since my girls have become more independent with eating, their snack volume has greatly increased. So I have been providing lots of fruit and better snack choices. And...I give a handful of Cheerios at the end of every "meal".

 

QUOTE(TwinLove @ May 20 2008, 08:42 PM) [snapback]784378[/snapback]
Mine don't. <_<

Like the others said, it's normal. They need the practice, so it's actually a good thing that they want to do this. My two never seemed interested in using a spoon or fork and now at almost two they are HORRIBLE at it. All because I didn't want a huge mess, but that's going to happen now or later. So I have been letting them and the messes are getting better, but we still have a ways to go.

It's frustrating, I know. :hug99:


Ok, I' glad mine aren't the only one's who don't like pb&j!! I was so excited when we got the OK from our pediatrician for them to try peanut butter and then they didn't like it! Oh well.

Thanks though Liz for letting me know that it's pretty normal for them to start wanting to be independent. Like you said, the messes have to come sooner than later. I was just hoping that as they got older they would just pick up a spoon or fork and eat like we do!! :laughing: We can wish, right??!!


QUOTE(MichelleL @ May 20 2008, 09:27 PM) [snapback]784477[/snapback]
Mine don't either!!

My girls are super independent now too. I let them get in what they want/need. I figure if they are hungry, they will let me know. I have noticed since my girls have become more independent with eating, their snack volume has greatly increased. So I have been providing lots of fruit and better snack choices. And...I give a handful of Cheerios at the end of every "meal".


Thanks for the advice Chelley! I do appreciate it. And as I said above, I'm glad mine aren't only one's who don't like pb&j! I just thought every kid did. I guess maybe when they are older. I have noticed that mine are snacking a lot more now too. I try to give them watermelon (which they LOVE) and bananas and yogurt. they also eat cheez its, cherrios, graham crackers, gold fish crackers. Anything else you can suggest??

 

Mine stopped letting me feed them by 15 months and I was thrilled. They fed themselves with finger foods. Just be prepared for the mess. THey did not get good with spoons until closer to 20 months old

Cindy

 

Brandi, they are trying to be independent and that is a good thing, even if it means they aren't eating enough and getting messy. This is the only way they will get better. Try to look at what they are eating over a week and not each day. They will still get enough to eat and I'm sure they will let you know if they are hungry. When we first started using forks/spoons it was so messy, but we just offered them at every meal for them to use and they got the hang of it in no time. They still make messes, especially with spaghetti, but that is to be expected. Offer it at every meal and you will be surprised how fast they catch on to it.

 

Practice makes perfect, I'd let them do it if they want. It is messy for a while, but they will get much better at it, I swear.

 

Isn't it terribly frustrating? But so normal when you think about how they are trying to emmulate everything that mommy and daddy do including using utensil themselves with just about every meal. Arwen mastered the fork at around 12 or 13 months I believe but Lorien only mastered it within in the past couple of months. Arwen can use the spoon very well and has for several months but Lorien is still working on getting the hang of it. 2 things that have helped me; 1. I bought these special spoons ( I think they are made by Gerber?) that are extra deep to better hold food in. 2. I started off giving them foods that are thick and tend to stay on the spoon better. I bought the Thick and Creamy La Yogurts instead of the regular because it doesn't slide off the spoon so easily. Mash potatoes are good for working with the spoon as is cottage cheese and several other foods. I would sit there with them, help them scoop the food (which I'm finding is actually the hardest part for them) and then showing them how to keep it straight towards the mouth. Lorien is getting there but is still tempted to flip the spoon and fork and eat off of it backwards.

When it comes down to it, YES, it's a friggin' mess. I have found that there are certain foods (like rice, and eggs) that I have to actually wait several hours to clean up because if I try to sweep it up, it just mooshes into the floor. I have found that if you wait a few hours, you can than easily sweep it up or vacuum it. I also seriously have planned certain meals based on when they have their bath (usually every other day). So if I know they are getting a bath, then I will totally let them work on something that is a little messier, kwim?