[Gwen72]

I have a problem that I don't know how to fix. W will be 11 months old tomorrow. He has done really well sitting in his highchair at the table and eating from 6 months old up until recently. I think the problem started when he finally got enough teeth that we introduced him to finger foods like whole grain cereal and crackers. Now he wants to spit everything we feed him onto his highchair tray and then pick it up with his fingers to eat it. This includes oatmeal, yogurt, mashed veggies, anything. We totally ignore the spitting but wipe up his tray as soon as he spits so there is nothing for him to pick up. My thought is to ignore the behavior I don't want but I shower him with praise when he takes a bite and eats it. This still leads to a screaming, throwing anything he can get his hands on fit. I don't want him to associate his highchair or the dinner table with a battle of wills so when he rages I clean him up, take him in the living room and let him have his fit. When he calms down we go back to the table and try again. I can get about three bites in him before he spits and we start all over. I don't know what to do. My goal is to stop the spitting without prompting a temper tantrum. Is there an easier way to get through mealtime? Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!

[tweetybirdus]

Sounds like he just wants to do it himself, an independent streak. You could try starting to teach him to use a spoon.

[Fran27]

At 11 months mine were both done with us feeding them. They would scream, clamp their mouth shut, grab the spoon, you name it. So we stopped and only started giving them things they could pick up.

[Jensboys]

And be prepared for a gigantic mess

But yes, sounds like he only wants to feed himself. That's age appropriate and developmentally on target! Congrats mom!

And again, BE PREPARED FOR A GIGANTIC MESS. My 18 month old seriously needs a bath after EVERY meal. Or so it seems.

[mommamarci]

We use a hand over hand method. The child gets a spoon and Mommy gets a spoon. So, while he is trying to figure out how to use his spoon to get the yogurt, you can shovel several bites in. We still do this with Spencer. Usually I can get about three bites in him in the time it takes him to get his spoon all ready to go!

[Saya]

Maybe try feeding him more finger foods that he can pick up with his hands rather then be spoon fed. I don't remember exactly what an 11 month old can eat, but maybe cooked carrots or peas (or my daughter will eat raw frozen veggies by the handful, actually), avocado, cheese, or just pieces of whatever you're eating cut up really small. Sounds like he's ready!

[JenC]

Josh only did baby food for a few months until he had enough hand-eye coordination, then he INSISTED on feeding himself. He was totally self fed with stuff he could pick up before he was a year old.

Sorry if all this isn't what you want to hear, but it sounds like we all have the same idea!

[OnTheJourney]

My DD NEVER did babyfood. I think I tried cereal on and off for about 2 months before giving up and facing the fact that she is "little miss independent!" She started feeding herself cereal cookies (I made some that were all good stuff and no sugar and preserves) at about 5 months and it went on from there. Soft fruits, cooked veggies... there are tons of things babies can eat without teeth.
By 11 months, both of my children were feeding themselves with their hands and with forks or spoons. However my son still lets me feed him at 3 years - lol, but my DD - 16 months, has never let me near her mouth with a spoon.

Maybe try giving him finger foods, a few at a time so he doesn't make too much of a mess, and see how it goes. Also I think it has been mentioned, but give him a spoon and while he is trying to eat, sneak in the bites.

I am sorry to say, but if it is the mess you are afraid of, it is just beginning!

[Amber76]

Ben did the exact same thing for a while and we just started giving him his own spoon to help feed himself. That helped a LOT with the frustration with us feeding him. After a few months of that, he was happy to let me help him because he LOVES to eat and figured out that the food made it there faster when I do the feeding:-) Of course, he feeds himself almost everything except yogurt and oatmeal so I guess he's willing to give in on those few things.

[megaphonemo]

Same as everyone else, right about that time, both only wanted to feed themselves.... We did get a cool bowl that suctioned to the high chair, that at least eliminated the temptation for DD to play frisbee with a full bowl of food....

I was actually pretty impressed with how well my 20 month old fed herself rice last night... Big mouthfuls right off the spoon.... not to say that about the same amount did not end up on the floor, but at least she ate!! She also does great with 'go-gurts' the yogurt in a tube. Just make the hole smaller, and she sucks it right out!

Good luck with the inevitable mess....!