Do I offer alternative?

[Iusuallylovecake]

DS is 13 months, not the easiest to wean but is doing better now. On 3 meals a day and snacks.
So we're still introducing new tastes and foods and some meals he just refuses after 2 or 3 spoons. What do I do? Don't like the idea of him being hungry but also if I offer something different he'll soon learn that there's something better on offer! He seems to eat much better at nursery which is frustrating because at home he's fussy!!!! Help!!!!

[FATEdestiny]

Does he need to be spoon fed?

I put a selection of the food the rest of the family was on the highchair tray, pull the highchair up to the table and then leave baby to it while we all ate our dinner. I'd keep picking bits up and giving to baby to keep the eating going, but really it was just she ate what she ate.

By the time everyone else was done, if baby was still taking food I'd keep her going. But if not by that time, I'd clear away regardless of how much she'd had. Sometimes she ate most if it, sometimes hardly anything. I'd still clear away. Then I'd offer fruit or yoghurt.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Is he spoon fed at Nursery @Iusuallylovecake? I bet he has to feed himself there and he’s being a bit lazy at home because he knows he can get away with it

I’d do exactly what FATE says. No need to offer an alternative. If baby isn’t eating, just assume they’re not hungry.

[Iusuallylovecake]

Thank you both, yes I'm suspecting that he's being a bit lazy!!! He's just v up and down with food so it gets a bit stressful! He's been a bit better this week so being tougher is working!!!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Another thing with them is to look at what they’ve eaten over a week rather than focussing on a single meal. Lots of babies and children will eat lots some days and hardly anything on others. If he’s refusing food, he’s probably not hungry but will make up for it another day

[mindutopia]

Just offer plenty of milk on demand after. He'll fill up on that if he's truly hungry, otherwise I'd just let him play and feed himself and give it time.