Hello!

“My daughter is nearly 11 months, I’m just wondering at what age should she be able to start attempting to feed herself? I have friends who still spoon feed their children and they are 3 and older, am I just being to impatient or should I try to teach her now?” What answer would you give this mum? When should children start to feed themselves?

Posted by Anon, 30/03/13

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  • One year is a good age to train them for feeding themselves


  • Let her try now, just give her a spoon and let her try. All of my kids were eating somewhat independently by a year old. My youngest is 2.5 and I wouldn’t even dream of spoon feeding her.


  • Good to know! Really very interesting comments on this! Thanks


  • When they’re capable of holding a spoon is when you should let them start feeding themselves….or at least start trying. It’ll take a while for her to get the hang of it and you’ll probably need to have a spoon too. But she’ll learn. Good luck


  • 3 is too old to be spoon fed unless there is an isue ie disability. Under 1 the daycare let them go for it and only help them if they need it. They seem to like independence and taking control


  • gosh mine is 6 months and already grabs the spoon and trys to find his mouth. puree of course. I think finger food from 8months?


  • every child is different. As soon as my daughter was able to pick up food for herself I gave her a spoon. she mainly just used it to chew on but now at 18 months she eats yoghurt and cereal by herself.


  • It will happen over time!!


  • Hope you managed to find the answer you were looking for.


  • Every child is different, it won’t be long


  • How did your daughter go with feeding herself?


  • My daughter was about 28 months when she could confidently use a spoon to herself with minimal mess.


  • You will know when they are ready . Both mine were keen and used to want the hold the spoon themselves. Then it just went from there..


  • Let them experiment and play with baby cutlery . It is a good learning opportunity, even if she doesn’t use them straight away to eat food with, but her little hands can explore how to hold them


  • Let her go for it! The only way shes going to learn is through practice and in my opinion its never too early to give a kid a spoon and let them make a little mess. I think its a little odd for a 3 year old to still be spoon fed!


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