Baby cries when feeding herself

[SB1712]

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. My 8mo (almost 9) is very good with feeding and has been since we started to wean. She’s happy to be spoon fed (most things) but equally likes to pick things up herself like avocado, broccoli, cheese etc.
but lately in the last couple of weeks, if I serve her something where she has to feed herself, she will suddenly just start crying and not like a whinge like she’s hurt or in pain.

I thought it may be frustration or her teeth, if I try and help her by offering her some or trying to rip things smaller and offer it to her mouth it makes the situation worse.
The only thing I find that helps is if I ignore her, but she often just eats the easier things like cheese.

I am trying to do a mixture of baby led and spoon so I’d like her to have the freedom.
Could it be some textures she doesn’t like? I’m getting really anxious at meal times because I don’t know if it’s going to upset her.
It mainly happens with her lunch. She has porridge for breakfast and normally is okay with her dinner.

Feeling worried and stressed…not sure if it’s a phase?

If it helps to ignore her I'd do that. It could be she's picking up on your anxiety around this.

Do you eat your lunch with her? If not start doing that and just eat together. See if that helps.

I try and give her so much encouragement when she’s eating especially when feeding herself.
Perhaps she is, by even when my fiancé does it (who is more laid back than me) she still cries.

I don’t eat with her no as I tend to give lunch at 11.30/11.45 but perhaps I should eat something too, even if it’s a banana or yoghurt alongside her.

Push her lunch back a bit and eat yours with her.

Family meal times really help with this sort of thing.