Starting utensils

Hi!

We've tried spoons in the past (actually when they were about 7mths old) They actually did a great job, but crammed the spoon too far in their mouth. Then we transitioned from puree and they do a great job feeding themselves with their hands. So I've tried to reintroduce spoons, and they just toss the food and chew on the spoon.

I'm not afraid of mess, but I don't like to be wasteful...so should I just plan on making extra food, knowing they are going to toss half of it?

How long does it usually take for them to get the hang of it?

How did you transition?

Many thanks!

reb

 

I really did not get hardcore with utensils until they were 16 months old. Mine are really good with forks, my DS can use it but prefers to eat with his hands. They are hit or miss with the spoon, some times they do great and others they make a huge mess.
What I did is I just kept offering them at meal time and would show them how to use it. My kids love to hold on to the spoon and play with it, so I would let them hold on to one and try to practice with another. I would make a little extra in case of messes. Good luck!

 

We give our guys baby forks near the end of each meal to practice with. They're getting pretty good about forking bits of food and sometimes even getting them to their mouths. Right now it's just practice, though. I think it's going to be a few months before they're actually feeding themselves with utensils more than fingers. We don't let them have spoons yet. Forks are much easier for them because the food sticks!

 

I've started offering them forks and spoons the past couple of weeks and they surprised me at how quickly they picked up on using them both! They'll still do a hand/fork combo but they use it more and more at each meal! I've demoed how to use both, they've seen me use them when we're out to eat, and of course I've used them while feeding them both. Try it!

 

We started using these at around 12.5 months. They've pretty much got the hang of using them, but a lot of times they prefer to use their hands We still offer either a spoon or fork at every meal [depending on what they're having]. I chose the take and toss utensils cause they're easy for them to grasp and also I don't worry about them choking on them.

 

Mine do really well with forks, we just started by giving them each a fork at meals and showing them how to pierce the food and bring it to their mouths. Spoons make much more of a mess! When I give them spoons for something like yogurt I usually hold the bowl and let them dip their spoons in and put it in their mouths. They usually have more fun dipping the spoon then actually eating the food but it's good practice I guess!!

 

This is why I love you all so much! OF COURSE a fork would be easier...it didn't even occur to me! My poor kids! hahaa

THank you so much for sharing! We are going to start offering FORKS at meal times!
Thanks again!!
reb

 

I'll let you in on a little secret...I stole the fork idea from someone on this forum as well.

Good luck!