How to get 12 month old to feed herself?

[Loops81]

When I started weaning (at 6 months) I was doing a mix of baby-led and spoon feeding, and she seemed to prefer picking up food to feed herself. However she never ate a huge amount so I got impatient and started feeding her more mushed up food with a spoon - and I have just discovered her nursery has been feeding her purée for the last three months (despite me telling them she could have lumps and self feed - argh!). So lately she prefers me to feed her smushed up food and won't pick up anything unless it's toast (or cake!).

Now that she's 12 months I feel like this is a huge regression and I wish she would self feed more. How can I encourage her to? Should I just stop spoon feeding her and hope she will get hungry enough to grab stuff again?!

[mrsmeerkat]

Mine preferred eating with his fingers and at 12 months.since he has turned 18 month's he won't let us feed him at all and can use the toddler knife and fork. I cooked his meals for childminder though. Lumps are very important for speech so I would get onto nursery

[mrsmeerkat]

I suppose I mean that keep on going leave spoon for her and walk away but it will happen

[CultureSucksDownWords]

I would leave her to feed herself and just stop spoon feeding her. Insist that nursery do the same. I would be pretty cross with nursery tbh, and make it clear to them that you consider that they've ignored your clear instructions.

It's going to take a little while for it to click with her, but if she's done it before she can do it again.