What age should they feed themselves meals?

[Sprogstersmum]

DD is 16 months old - should she be feeding herself meals (as opposed to just finger food) by now? She's not a good eater, not that fussy about what it is but often only eats a tiny amount and frequently spits out mouthfuls before accepting another one. She can feed herself with a spoon or a fork so is capable of feeding herself meals but I worry she'll eat even less than if we spoonfeed her or will she just eat what she needs? Any advice/experience of this appreciated! Thanks

My DD is 12 months and will only eat if she is feeding herself, same syptoms as you describe eating small amounts and spitting out things given to her on a spoon but would wolf down any crisps etc she could get her hands on. We changed tack and swapped her baby bowl for a chopping board and give her a chopping board full of chopped up food and she sits happily usually for 45 mins feeding herself chopped chicken, peas, grated cheese, carrots she absolutely ADORES corn on the cob. When she has had her fill she throws the rest on the floor but can alwayd find room for a fromage frais of some kind! I was fretting the same way as you and spoke to the HV about it she suggested that as long as they were getting protein and fats i.e meat and dairy she should be fine. Yesterday she thoroghly enjoyed stuffing her face with a sliced hard boiled egg and then wiping philidelphia cheese in a circle round her mouth...she looked like a circus clown!

Anyway don't worry just experiment it's possible she is just an independent baby!

Also just remembered that the HV said as long as there is a mix of foods it counts as a whole meal and that I should remember my DD's stomach is only the size of her fist = the size of large walnut!

Does your DD still have milk?

Is she sitting at the table with everyone else? I think it is really important to eat together at this age. I used to supply a plate of finger food, and sneak in the odd spoonful of dinner here and there. Mind you - mine were so greedy not eating was never a problem. They still are!!!

Thanks for replies - yes she sits at the table with us and has a bit of our dinner as well after she's had hers.