Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

What's the scoop? Bad pun intentional.

What age should they start? What age should they be 100% self-feeding? Any tips to get started???? I've been spoon feeding DS (15 months) up until now but honestly it takes sooooo long I feel like our whole day consists of feeding and napping. I'm certain we're late to this clambake, but obviously it's time we get a move on here. How did you start???????

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

I haaaaaaaated feeding C3, so I had him self-feeding by a year.

Just cut stuff up small, and do the usual, chicken nuggets, fries, goldfish, etc, etc

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

Liam has been self-feeding himself (1-2 meals a day) for about 2 months now. In fact, at 11 months, he prefers it and now isn't loving baby food anymore. We break-up pieces and put them on his tray. He loves it!

We still feed him yogurt and some baby food, but we've given him bits of:
-chicken
-turkey
-ham
-cheese
-breads (all kinds)
-fries
-brocolli
-carrots
-berries
etc

Message edited 12/21/2009 12:09:57 PM.

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

I have actually put little bits of food on his tray while I feed him; generally he pushes it around then ultimately FLINGS it at the dog, who is his BFF at feeding time now. He laughs hysterically and thinks this is great fun.

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

Kaydyn was eating a lot of food by herself around 12-14 months at our house. My MIL still spoon fed her prob until 15 months or more b/c she was afraid she would make a mess.

We just cut up everything really small and Kaydyn took to it great.

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

I must be late too...

AJ feeds herself stuff like chicken, bread, cheese, treats etc.. DRY stuff. But wet stuff I'm still spoon feeding as well as anything really messy, things with sauce, rice, etc.

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

ds is 15 months. he eats crackers and cheerios on his own. everything else I feed him otherwise it would wind up on the floor. I'm not really in a rush bc he is underweight and I need to make sure he eats everything I give him

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

DS has been totally self-feeding since 12 months because that's what he wanted. I do still feed him jarred fruits and yogurt because we don't usually have fresh fruit in the house and I want to make sure he has a well-rounded diet.

If you gave him pieces of food that you know he loves (like banana) before you give him any other food, and you know he's hungry, do you think he'd feed himself?

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

My DC are almost 12 months and have been self feeding pretty much everything except for yogurt and oatmeal, applesauce.
I just cut everything up small and put it on their trays. If it is messy thats ok, it all cleans up!

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

DD actually gives me a hard time bc all she wants to do is self feed..she has started to give me a hard time with yogurt and applesauce etc bc she can't feed it to herself I don't think you're late at all, I think every child will go at their own pace...what if you put one piece of food down in front of him and not too many at once does it make a difference?

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

DS is 8 months & he'll feed himself anything he can pick up. He doesn't do spoon feeding at all yet though. I tried to let him once & I don't think he got any of it in his mouth at all

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

Chloe eats small bits of pears, bananas, melon, cheese (her favorite), peas, green beans and I give her stuff to dry from our lunch or dinner if it's appropriate. If she doesn't eat much or seems uninterested, I will try pureed food, yogurt, oatmeal. She is not so into the pureed food now that she can feed herself. It definitely gets messy, but at least our dog cleans up the floor

ETA: Chloe is 10.5 months and she cannot spoon feed herself at all. She always tries to grab the spoon so I let her try one day - big mistake!

Message edited 12/21/2009 4:15:13 PM.

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

I'm trying to remember when DD became a self-feeder.

She would fight for the spoon at around 10 months, but I still fed her...

I remember my one day girlfriend was shocked that I still fed her because her DD would refuse to let you and then almost as soon as she said it my DD refused to let us feed her anymore. I felt like she jinxed me. She was probably a little over a year at the time.

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

Lately, all Ethan wants to do is self feed. He's one week shy of 11 months. He grabs the spoon and tries to feed himself..it's a mess. So I always give him something he can feed himself on his tray, while trying to shove the wet baby food in his mouth in between him feeding himself lol.

He self feeds puffs, cheerios, banana pieces, apple pieces, sweet potato pieces, etc.

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

miki self fed at about 15 months but she did not use a spoon the right way until 18 months or so

Re: Tell me about self-feeding (the DCs, not the mommies!)

DS is 15 months and has been self feeding for about 4-5 months. I put some things on the tray, but whatever we eat with a fork I put on a fork for him as well. I give him the fork, and he feeds himself. Or I leave the fork on the tray, and he picks it up. Sometimes, he takes the food with his hands, but mostly he uses the fork. I still spoon feed him yogurt and baby fruit. I've been trying to get him to take the spoon, but he hasn't done it consistently yet.