Head, shoulders, floor and nose

[Fallen fauna]

My son is about to turn 1 and trying to work out the best way to feed him is tricky. I want to ensure that he gets enough nutrients and so make alot of the AK recipes but these then mostly need to be chopped or are already very small or covered in sauce which makes feeding himself with his hands a very futile and long process. Due to this he is fed all of these types of meals by me with a spoon or a fork as when he has tried himself he has not managed to get any in his mouth at all. He used to enjoy finger foods but now throws them on the floor after squishing them entirely. My question is, how can you ensure that he gets all his nutrients and teach him to feed himself at the same time? Any ideas would be most appreciated.

[rachaelmae]

LOL good question

You dont! if they are hungry they eat, its a learning process as well, different tastes/textures etc..

You could try the one spoon for him one for you technique, and feed him whilst he has a go.

Mine didnt master spoon feeding them selves till 18months but would happily use hands! Try different types of finger foods and any thing can be finger foods.

They dont need a great amount of food and although its messy i would be inclined to leave them to to it with the occasional spoon from me

Eat at the same time and make a big fuss about ohhhhh a carrot YUMMY type thing so he sees you eating and gets the gist of what he should do.

Good luck, dont stress they do get enough somehow!

[angelbabies]

hi i feed my son from a bowl myself and give him a bowl of easy to eat food with his hands. i've done this since he was 9 months. sometimes he pays more attention to his bowl and refuses the "real" meal i.e. what i want him to eat for nutrient purposes.

at 15mths he still eats with his hands BUT can now feed himself sloppy food with a spoon and i must have only purposely taught him a couple of times.

eating with him has helped but so has watching his sis.

good luck