Help Yourself!

[Alibobster]

My ds is 13 months and up until now I have always spoon fed him. Tonight, as dh and I were eating at same time as ds, I let him do it himself and he managed no bother with his fingers. I just wondered at what age should he be using a spoon and I'm now worried that I've held him back by spoon feeding him all this time.

Ali,

Kids all use a spoon at different ages. My first was probably over 1 (can't remember but with my second I did baby Led Weaning and so she was never spoon fed - she used her hands until about 8 months when she used hands or spoon. Now at 16 months she using hands, spoon or fork whichever suits. Sounds like your DS is ready for a spoon/self feeding so I would make sure he always has one to try then you can always load it for him or shovel some in when you've eaten your dinner.

Does he have plenty of finger foods anyway?

You won't have held him back in any way at all but do let him make lots of mess and have a good go from now on .

Sorry for taking so long to reply laundrylover.

Thanks for your thread and advice. DS does have lots of finger foods and manages them no problem. I will be encouraging him to do it himself from now on, although he's having shepherd's pie today so I may give him a wee hand

You'll be amazed at what he can shovel in! DD2 just gets fistfuls of food and wolfs them down.

YOu could have a look on the baby led weaning blog for more advice if you fancy.

When you feed him, give him a spoon too. starts to encourage them to use it andthat way you can still get some in there while he is squishing it in his hands !!