Appropriate for a 14 month old ??

[koalabear]

two questions, i guess more about behaviour than actual food ....

1. when should a todler start using utensils? we've started trying to get DS to use a fork and spoon but all he does is either pick the food off the implement and use his fingers to feed himself, or throw fork or spoon and floor and use his fingers to feed himself.
   
   
2. at 14 months, if they throw their food on the floor, is it ok to say "that's it, no more" and not give them anything else so that they learn not to do it, or should you really keep offering different alternatives until they actually eat something?
   
   thanks in advance

[saadia]

kb, I also have a 14mth old ds and am interested to see what you are advised as I'm not sure about these issues either. At the moment if he doesn't eat what he's given I usually still give him his pudding and I am feeding him his main meals myself but leave him to it with finger foods.

[WigWamBam]

My dd was almost 2 before she got the hang of a spoon. My HV's advice at her 21 month check was to start her with a fork instead, for food that she could stab, and that once she got used to a fork she would be fine with a spoon - and she was. He's still only little, so I wouldn't worry about it just yet.

If he throws his food on the floor, the usual advice seems to be to take it away and take him down from his chair. He'll soon get the hint that if he throws it, he won't be able to eat it. Don't make a fuss; just take the food away, otherwise he'll do it just for the reaction you make.

[SenoraPostrophe]

14 months is very young to be using a spoon yet. dd was about 20 months and i haven't even attempted it with ds yet (he's 16 months).

I tend to agree with wwb on throwing food too - they're a bit young to reason with at this age. Personally i would ignore the food throwing, try feeding him some more and if he does it again just get him down and try again later.

[oooggs]

DS will use a spoon or a fork (not both together) but forgets and then uses his fingers (especially with Rise Krispies) but as soon as you say 'please use the spoon' he will.

Now 17mths - doing this from 15mths

[Gobbledigook]

Mine were nowhere near using a fork or spoon at 14 months (I don't think, memory hazy!). They used a fork much more easily first and then moved on to a spoon.

Let him eat with his fingers I'd say but keep putting the fork and spoon out for him to experiment with.

[knat]

My ds is now 19 months and has tried to use a spoon from about 16 months or so intermittently. Now she will take the spoon off me if it is loaded and will try to load it herself depending on her mood, other times I have to feed her !! I've found that sometimes if I put the plate down on the tray and leave a spoon there and just walk away for a minute, ie to get my tea or whatever then she will pick the spoon up herself and try to load it. Just keep it around so when interest is shown they can try. As I say even at 19 months some days are better than others and you think you've cracked it only for her not to bother the next day!

[Nemo1977]

my ds has used a mix of using cutlery and fingers from around 12mths although he has now mastered it.

also throwing food on floor i trued to teach ds to say he had finished so if he throws it i would just say o so have you finished. Then just tidy it up with no fuss but dont give anything else, unless u were going to give something later iykwim. I always give ds a fromage frais after his tea so he has some food in his tum for through the night but if it is lunch or breakfast then nothing else is given.

[koalabear]

thank you ladies - very helpful, and very reassuring to know that we're on track!