11 month old keeps putting his fingers in his mouth when eating

[katiepea]

my ds keeps putting his fingers in his mouth whilst being fed from a spoon. He takes the food out of his mouth then either drops it on the floor or puts it back in his mouth. Any suggestions?

let him feed himself, with finger food?
I think it's just one of those things though. does it matter?

No i don't suppose it matters - just meal times take forever. He doesn't seem old enough to be able to feed himself, although I am sure he can reach his mouth - everything else goes in it!

11 months is more than old enough for finger food .. go for it .. and whilst he's feeding himself .. sit there with a coffee and have a break .. you deserve it

He does do some finger foods for snacks, rice cakes and biscuits, but not for his meals. Am I being daft in expecting him to use a spoon???

he probably won't use a spoon yet, but give him one to practice with.
you can always shovel bits in when he isn't expecting it too lol

My DS2 is 11mo and doesn't let you feed him with a spoon at all - never has, really. Oh, he will allow you to give him porridge in the morning as long as he's eating toast at the same time, and he will also accept plain yoghurt on a spoon sometimes, but that's it.

How is your DS with finger food? Would he feed himself, do you think? Mealtimes take a while for DS2, but it doesn't matter, because he's doing it himself and I can be "present" but I don't have to be actively participating in feeding him.

Thanks for your help! Will try that tomorrow. Breakfast is the messy one! Lol

To clarify, DS2 doesn't use a spoon - DS1 didn't till he was about 18mo really either. I just give him food in roughly chopped lumps and he shovels it in.

Maybe we should try toast for him whilst I try to spoon in the odd bit of cereal, so at least his hands are occupied! I don't remember it being an issue with ds1 - just felt clueless with ds2!

why do toast AND cereal?

just give him some toast

maybe with some scrambled egg if he's having egg yet

and leave him to it .. every so often you can give him a little directly into his mouth

also you can make porage pancakes / omelette etc

good luck

enjoy

Ds2 also used to put his fingers in his mouth as he was eating/chewing. We found it a bit strange-was as if the food needed a helping hand to go to back of mouth.Think he grew out of it at about 12-13 months though. Am sure yours will too.