How to encourage my 18mo to use a spoon?

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We did BLW with DS with great success, he's a brilliant eater but we didn't introduce cutlery from the beginning. Fast forward to now & he still won't use it! We give him a spoon/fork with every meal but he'll either ignore it or hold it in one hand & shovel food with the other!

All his friends the same age are brilliant at using spoons, as the only BLWer of the group I am wondering where i went wrong!

I didnt do BLW and dd didnt use a spoon until around 17 months old.

Shes 20 months now, and great at using a spoon.

I just gave her a spoon with every meal, and i used to eat my meals in front of her. She started using it on her own.

I didn't do BLW with either of my 2. DS1 starting using a spoon quite well at 17/18 months. And a spoon + fork from about 20 months. DS2 has had a spoon from about 11 months, but generally will give up with it after a while and just use his hand to get as much food as possible in his mouth in the shortest space of time possible. He's 16 months. They get it eventually - it's just that to start with they find spoons slower.

Go to asda. They have these spoons shaped like aeroplanes and they were fab, colourful and interesting so DS2 wants to use them. (and no more hands in the cocopops bowl for mum to clean either yayy)

I agree that the medium of yohurt is excellent at encouraging spoon usage. Full fat total greek yoghurt and a bit of stewed fruit is a winner. Also mash. Anything sticky!

I often scoop the food onto the spoon for my Dts and then they pick up the spoon - they are 16 months, BLW but have been keen on spoons for ages.

Also had great results with forks. And if you haven't done it already, move to toddler metal cutlery. I really rate the boots own brand ones as they have a nice small head on them. DTS was stabbing away at roast potatoes with gusto last night (while DTD was lobbing chicken in her mouth with her hands!)

what kind of spoon are you using? My DD was not remotely interested in the plastic, small spoons. As soon as I just gave her a metal teaspoon that she could shovel more food onto she was very interested. Pretty good by 17 months and now at 19 months very good!

Thanks for all the suggestions, will try some different types of cutlery. We have given him custard before now & he still preferred to use his hands!

He's already had ice cream this year, i am always amazed at how well he manages without a spoon! If it wasn't for the social aspect i would probably leave him to it!

yes, my DTD eats ice cream with her hands too, even if it's on a stick!

They all get there eventually.

Op my ds is 19mo and is exactly the same ! He even eats yogurt with his fingers !

My daughter is almost two and still prefers to eat with her hands, although lately is using cutlery more and more. I wouldn't worry.