Spoon Feeding.

[onelasttime]

Hi there,

I have a 14 month DS and I was just wondering at what should he start to feed himself with a spoon?
He is eating finger foods himself and at some meal times I give him a spoon to hold but he only plays with it. I try to show him how to use it but he doesnt understand.

So just wondering at what age I should try using a spoon with him?

[the pero clinic]

Dear Rachael&evan,

You should be encouraging your little boy in spoon feeding now, if he hasn’t already picked it up. Continue to give him a spoon during meals and occasionally hold his hand in yours as you move the spoon to his mouth to feed him.

Coordinating the spoon’s movement to the mouth, as well as scooping up the food and keeping on the spoon can be tricky. Pretend and play with spoons at non-meal times as well. Encourage your son to feed dolls, teddies, yourself and himself without the added pressure of food.

If he continues to have difficulty in learning to use a spoon, or with any other aspect of using his arms and hands (such as during play), see a paediatric occupational therapist for some tips.

the pero clinic