What age can babies start feeding themselves with a spoon?

[ChunkysMum]

DD is nearly 7mo, she eats most things pureed and is getting quite good with finger food. We do a mixture.

When I'm feeding her, I put the food on the spoon, then hand it to her, she puts the spoon in her mouth and eats the food, then I take it back and put more food on it.

I was wondering at what age they start being able to load the spoon and completely feed themselves. At the moment, she doesn't quite get it.

DD is 12mo, and still can't do it - she places the spoon in the bowl (not always getting it properly in) when she wants more, but is still not coordinated enough to actually scoop food onto the spoon. Equally she doesn't fully see the point when dipping her hands in and licking off (yogurt) or picking up the entire bowl and pouring it into her mouth and all down her front (soup) works too.

dD did this from very young, albeit messily. dS took much longer, partly due to laziness I think, I reckon he was nearer 18 months. DD also drank soup and purees by sticking her face in them. It was the quickest way!

Chunkysmum - my 7mo DD is the same and I was wondering the same thing. I've just kind of been going with it because I haven't got the foggiest when babies usually get coordinated with it. I kind of figured it's not now but was curious as to how it would progress.

DD is 15 months old and has just started doing as you or I would with a reasonable success rate. Previously she would dip the spoon in or suck a loaded spoon. She has been using a fork for about 2 months now.

I think that it has something to do with the development of their wrist movement.

DD is 14mo and can't load with spoons or forks. She uses them as percussion instruments, and dips her hands in yoghurt or just lifts her bowl up and drinks. Sometimes she tips everything onto her highchair tray instead of eating out of plates and bowls. Oh and she loves moving food around with the cutlery too.

I think she doesn't see the point in cutlery since its faster to eat without.

17mo is getting better & better at this although she still prefers to eat with her hands if poss.

I read somewhere that they Do not have full wrist control until about 18mo.

At 12mo on saturday DS is starting to show some interest in the spoon. He bangs ++ with one during meals. He has a few times tried to get food onto it and into his mouth with total failure. I've been encouraging him but most meals he opens his mouth and wants to be spoon fed.

The NHS stuff suggest by 18 months children should be able to use a spoon and a fork. So dont rush your LO, it sounds like she is doing a fantastic job so far!!!