10mo only wants one piece of food at a time on highchair tray

[JuniorMint]

DD (10 months) seems to have got into the habit of only wanting one piece of food on her tray at a time. We've done BLW since she was 6 months, and she will eat pretty much anything, but if I put too many of one thing or a combination of things, she will get frustrated and push everything off onto the floor. However, if I keep her meal on a plate on the table and put one piece on her tray, she will pick it up and eat it, I then put another and she will eat that etc.

For example last night- garlic chicken breast with sweet potato and spinach- cut up on a plate. One bite size piece of chicken- picked up, eaten. One bite size piece of sweet potato- picked up, eaten. Repeat ad nauseum!

Same with a piece of toast this morning- cut into soldiers. The whole lot put on her tray results in it being pushed away, a piece at a time and she will give it a go! Grapes (cut in half) one half at a time!

Am I pandering?! It is quite annoying while I'm trying to eat myself to have to pause and put single pieces of food on her tray all the time, especially as I'm a vegetarian so like to wipe my hands after touching meat. On the other hand, I AM pleased that she's eating, and with the variety etc.

Is it a phase I will have to ride out, or should I be encouraging away from this?

TIA!

She's 10 mo. I don't see the problem. If you were weaning her with mush you'd still be spoon feeding her.

If the touching meat bothers you either raise her veggie most of the time, or use a fork to transfer it. It's not a problem really is it.

Thanks Theas, that's reassuring I suppose I don't really know when spoon fed babies are still fed mush until. I just want to make sure I won't be destined for a life time of giving bite size pieces one at a time

DS2 (15mo) is like this. He likes to have one piece in each hand - any more and he just sweeps his arm across the tray and it all goes flying.

He is good at feeding himself with a fork so I use 2 - one with food on for him and one I've loaded up ready for him. It's a bit of a pain as I have to be quick with swapping forks or giving him the next piece of food or he gets stroppy but I figure it won't be for long. The rate he eats he'll figure out soon that it's way more efficient to have the lot on his tray!

We also have issues with him throwing stuff (food, cutlery, cups, plates) so have to keep it out of his reach anyway, so this method is best all round.

Forgot to add DS1 had some funny eating habits at that age, and now he's 3 he eats pretty well normally!

Thanks for your reply ipswich

I don't think it's pandering, as long as you keep trying every now and again to put a bit more on at the same time. See if two are accepted, then try three and so on!

Thank you Culture

My 8mo is exactly like this! One or two pieces down = in the mouth. Anything more = a race to see how fast he can sweep it onto the floor. Reassuring to know we are not alone!

DD is 22mo and generally I just serve up, but if she's tired or not 100% she gets overwhelmed with a full plate - I think she doesn't know where to start and can't figure out what all the different foods are! When they're small I think it's better to let them do it their way, hopefully then they'll eat more, try more, and it'll pay off when they're bigger.

Hi, I can see it might be frustrating but as the others said, I don't think its an issue. My DS Is the opposite and will keep cramming food in his mouth without swallowing. I wish he would slow down!

My 10 month old is the same. I'm also hoping it's a phase as meals take ages.

ds is 10 months and does the same! also if you offer him something before he finishes his mouthful he spits out what he has to make way for the new bit!

I think to much just overwhelms him so im going with him and just put one or two things on the tray.