So...whats the next step?

**TopStar** · 31-08-2010, 10:07pm

DS is puree / mashed food fed plus finger food.

When and how do we move on to cutlery / self feeding? Will it have impact on how much he will eat?

What were your experiences? Any tips / advice please

**Mrs B** · 31-08-2010, 10:09pm

Wait til he asks/indicates. C is now eating most things with a spoon or fork fairly competently, but much earlier than S did. I'd say at about a year just start leaving a plastic spoon or fork by his plate and see what he does, best to leave it up to him.

Actually, the other thing you can do is give him a plastic spoon now and continue to feed him too; we still do this with C, as she sometimes plays about with hers so I try to shovel food in at the same time. He'll learn by experience, just be prepared for more mess!

**Katiekipper** · 31-08-2010, 10:13pm

From 6-9 months I stopped feeding them anything but their morning porridge and most of their fromage frais, thought if I had time to strip them naked then I let them do the yoghurts etc by themselves.
In those days weaning was pre 6 months of course. Now with Sis I'll just let her do it herself from the get go as she'll be starting out at 6 months. Metal cutlery I gave them at about 15-18 months I think but I didn't insist on it until closer to age 2, but then I've got no issues with toddlers eating with their hands and I know some do.

**TopStar** · 31-08-2010, 10:19pm

Ah yes the mess!!

OK so guess I should be at home for meal times then

Will he get confused if I did some food feeding when we are out and about and let him have a go at home?

Thanks x

**clementinexyz** · 31-08-2010, 10:28pm

I was very much led by Dexter, he decided at about 9m that he wouldn't accept anything off a spoon from me, so eventually I had to give in and stop feeding him altogether. I worried about how much he would eat, and he probably did consume less but their main source of calories by far is milk at this age so it didn't matter.

As for cutlery, he wrestled a fork out of my hands at around 14m and has used one fairly competently since then. I reckon I must have given him a spoon prior to that but can't really remember.

eta like KK I don't mind if he eats with his hands, but prefer him not to when it's yoghurt or beans.

**Mrs B** · 31-08-2010, 10:32pm

Originally Posted by TopStar

OK so guess I should be at home for meal times then

Will he get confused if I did some food feeding when we are out and about and let him have a go at home?

Thanks x

Oh heck, no, just feed him how it suits you wherever you are tbh! They learn very quickly at this age, but won't get set in routines like that.

Mind you, C is currently refusing to eat bread and butter with anything other than a fork; most things go in her mouth with fingers, but not bread and butter. Odd child!

**TopStar** · 31-08-2010, 10:32pm

Thanks clem. DS doesnt drink milk atm, he doesnt take bottle and blatantly refuses formula in a TT cup

so I dont know what he would get his calories from if he eats less.

DS is nearly 10m.

**TopStar** · 31-08-2010, 10:34pm

Originally Posted by Mrs B

Mind you, C is currently refusing to eat bread and butter with anything other than a fork; most things go in her mouth with fingers, but not bread and butter. Odd child!

Isnt it wonderful that they have these quirkiness

**clementinexyz** · 31-08-2010, 10:38pm

Originally Posted by TopStar

Thanks clem. DS doesnt drink milk atm, he doesnt take bottle and blatantly refuses formula in a TT cup

so I dont know what he would get his calories from if he eats less.

DS is nearly 10m.

Breastmilk, I meant, assuming you're still feeding him?

**Katiekipper** · 31-08-2010, 10:47pm

Originally Posted by TopStar

Ah yes the mess!!

OK so guess I should be at home for meal times then

Will he get confused if I did some food feeding when we are out and about and let him have a go at home?

Thanks x

Oh finger food when out is awesome!! I let Ross eat really messy things like spag bol in the highchairs at restaurants as I was paying for the privilege! At home I'd have to tidy it up!!
But they don't get confused. I fed mine whatever was available whenever it was available and they lapped it up. Mine are all huge sarnie eaters which made/makes life so easy as they can always be obtained and eaten relatively cleanly.