Babies eat at the breast.As toddlers, they will want to eat their own food because they consume a lot of different foods.Self-feeding can take some skill.Helping your toddler learn is something you can do.
Step 1: If your child wants to feed himself, pay attention.
Eating with the fingers is the first way that children learn to feed themselves, and you should watch for signs that your child is ready to try.It may start before the toddler period at around eight or nine months of age.Your baby will try to grab food.At first with the whole hand and then the fingers.He or she is ready to start eating his or her own food.The ability to grab small items with the thumb and forefinger is crucial for effective self-feeding.Between seven and eleven months of age, most babies develop this skill.
Step 2: Give your child safe foods to eat with his or her fingers.
Give your older baby or younger toddler bite-sized pieces of food that are easy to chew and swallow.You can offer many more foods by the toddler years if you stick to foods that are easy to digest.Some suggestions include: low-sugar cereals, especially o-shaped and puffed varieties, small pieces of ripe, soft fruits like bananas, mangos, peaches, or watermelon, and cooked vegetables like carrots, peas or sweet potatoes.
Step 3: Have your child practice with you.
Don't just place food in front of your toddler and walk away, meal times are a chance to interact and help your child learn.Sit with your child, talk about the new foods, and hold up individual bites to encourage the pincer grasp.Take your child's hand and demonstrate something.
Step 4: It's a good idea to watch for choke.
When your child is learning to eat finger foods, always supervise him or her.You can reduce the risk of choking by keeping the bites small, but not so small that he or she won't chew.
Step 5: Prepare to have a mess.
Babies and toddlers are messy.If you can, place a protective cover underneath your child's high chair and use bibs.
Step 6: Praise your child for their effort.
Make sure your child knows that self-feeding is good and that he or she has made you proud.
Step 7: There are signs that your child is ready.
When your older baby or younger toddler can eat finger foods and has started to grab the spoon from you during meals, he or she is probably ready to learn to eat independently with a spoon.
Step 8: Pick the right spoon.
You want something small for a toddler's mouth.Special baby spoons are usually made of plastic and are lighter.
Step 9: Start with a couple spoons.
You should use one spoon for you and one for your child.You can feed your child as usual, and he or she can try out the spoon.If your child uses the spoon primarily to bang on the plate or high chair tray, don't worry.He or she will figure it out.
Step 10: Your child will learn how to use the spoon.
Put your hand over your toddler's hand to demonstrate how to hold a spoon.Put the spoon in your toddler's mouth.You can use two bowls as your toddler learns.You can feed your child from one and he or she can use the other, which should have a small amount of food in it.
Step 11: Pick the right food.
If you want your child to get the spoon to his or her mouth, you should start with thicker, denser foods.They work well with yogurt, cottage cheese, and pudding.Thinner purees and soups should be used as your child progresses.
Step 12: An example should be set.
Family meals are important for teaching self-feeding skills, communication and manners.
Step 13: Praise your child for their work.
Let your toddler know you're proud of him or her.
Step 14: Your toddler is ready.
It is best to wait until your child has a strong pincer grasp and can use the spoon.The fork can be introduced at that point.Most children are ready by about eighteen months.
Step 15: You can choose the fork.
A fork with rounded tips and a lighter weight is ideal for young children.These are easier for a toddler to use.
Step 16: Start with food that is easy to pierce.
Offer larger pieces of food that are easy to pierce and hold with a fork, as do some kinds of cooked vegetables, meats, and pastas.Don't eat foods that are too small or slippery.You don't want your child to be frustrated.
Step 17: Help your child use a fork.
You may need to show your child how to pierce and pick up food in the beginning.
Step 18: You should encourage eating with the fork.
If your child continues to prefer using his or her fingers, it is fine to encourage fork-eating once your toddler is two or so.You can wait until the preschool years to push for better table manners.
Step 19: Praise your child.
Let your toddler know that you like his or her new skills.
Step 20: Babies can drink from their own bottle.
An older baby can hold a bottle and drink on his or her own.This will teach your child how to use a cup.
Step 21: A cup with a lid is something to introduce.
By a year of age, most children can drink from a cup.A lidded cup made for toddlers will make life easier for both of you.This will mimic the feel of a bottle.Even with a lidded cup, your child will make a mess.It is part of the learning process.
Step 22: Put the lid back on.
You can remove the lid once your child has mastered drinking from a lidded cup.It is better to refill the cup multiple times than to have your child dump a full cup all over the place.
Step 23: Help your child as they need it.
You can make it easier for your child to drink from a cup by holding the cup steady and placing your hands over your toddler's hands.