Seeking Help with Getting Child to Eat with a Spoon.

I had this same problem with my son and now that he is close to two it has only gotten worse. The only thing that I can suggest is having two spoons, one for him and one for you. Also, with things like soup try adding a little bit of rice to it so at least it has some sort of consistency so it is easier for him to feed himself. Last, dont have a power struggle it only makes things worse. I hope this helps....Try foods that are not that messy. Good luck

I have an 18 month old daughter and she loves this spoon (see link below). It has holes in it to help the food stay on better. Try thick yogurt or thick applesauce with this spoon. If he still doesn't want to try, wait a few months and try again.

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/85204/68772/117.html

Hi A.,

Most kids want to explore their bounds, but they also appreciate communication. For now feed him things he can eat with this hands, but a spoon is optional. When it's mealtime, tell him "Okay, it's time for us to eat, will you help Mommy set the table?" Hand him the spoons, and ask him to put one at each persons plate. You may guide him, but let him do the work. When you sit down for the meal, proceed as you normally do, but do not correct him if he eats with his hands. You should use a spoon and let him see you use your spoon. Ask him how his meal is? Does it taste good? Tel him how good yours tastes, and intentionally use your spoon at this time.

You may have a few messy meals, but in a week or so of consistent behavior, he will want to be a big boy and will follow suit.

I hope this helps, keep me posted. :)

My son is 17 months old. He still won't eat with a spoon. He tries, but would rather stick his fingers in everything. For a while, I would only feed him things that he could pick up with his fingers. He eventually started to want other things as was content to try himself or let me feed him. At that age though, coordinating the spoon to the mouth is difficult for them. Once my son started trying, the food was usually on the floor before the spoon got to his mouth. We still give my son a spoon occaisionally, but the way I look at it is if we make the spoon available he'll use it when he's ready. If they see us using them, they're going to want to sooner or later. You don't want dinner time to turn into a war already. One thing that worked with my son was giving him a spoon to use with something he didn't need it with, like chicken nuggets. I would chop them up. They're just easier to get on the spoon for a little one than something soft. I think a lot of it is just frustration over something they're unfamiliar with and don't know how to do, so if we make it easier for them in the beginning they don't get so upset. Sorry this is so long, but I know how frustrating it can be. And not all the same approaches are going to work for every kid. Good luck.

I would try a fork and stay away from things he has to eat with a spoon. Things like soup and jello are hard for toddlers to eat anyway. Forks are easier to eat with both of my kids did forks first its easier to stab food with a fork than scoup with a spoon and keep it on there. Its ok for him to eat with his hands if hes not playing in it.

I am sorta going through that all I do is give mine a spoon and let him figure it out

My son is almost 3 years old and he still wants to eat with his hands! At 15 months i was lucky to get him to even hold a spoon or fork, much less use it! As for him eating things that you might need to use a spoon for, maybe have him hold the spoon with your hand over his and feed him that way? maybe that will make him feel more in control rather than you feeding him. or there's always the tried and true airplane technique.

I know how you are feeling. My daughter is 17 months and she eats with her hands and a spoon. I just make her a plate of whatever we are eating most of the time and give her a toddler spoon. Sometimes she will pick up the spoon and put her food on it other just uses her hands. They have to learn on their own. And mine is so independent that it's not funny. Just give hime time and let him see the spoon and he will pick it up soon enough. Good luck.

My son is also 15 months and we are trying to introduce the spoon as well. Up until lately we only gave him food he could pick up because he didnt want to be fed. Which was fine with me. But what I do about two to three times a week, on bath nights, I give him a bowl of something that needs a spoon, like applesauce or yogurt and let him go to work. I only use bowls that have a big suction cup on the bottom so it sticks to the tray and so he cant pick it up and throw it. It is messy that is why we only do it on bath nights but it gives good practice and he totally gets the concept he just needs a lot of fine tuning. Also I find at this age they like to mimic our behaviors so you can always try to eat something with a spoon with him so he can try and copy you. Sorry for being chatty. Good luck!!

Sounds like your little one is telling you what to do instead of you telling him what to do. I had the same problem with my daughter. finally one night I had it. I sat down with her and every time she threw the spoon down, I put it back into her hand and in a very firm voice told her to eat with her spoon. I then acted out exactly what she should do. It was a fight but she did learn. If she didn't want to eat then I let her go hungry until she asked for more food. It didn't last long, maybe 15-20 minutes and then I started all over again with the spoon training. You have to be firm and consistant until they learn what they need to know. It takes time and it is hard, very hard, but you have to be the parent and get him to listen to you. Good luck.

Buy some fun toddler size spoons. You can get hard plastic ones or metal ones. I like the plastic at this age. Put a bib on him and realize he is just going to make a mess. That is how kids learn. You might try a game of "I'll give you a bite and then you do a bite yourself." At least you will know he is getting something. Also, try to stick with things that are finger foods. If you have to give soup, thicken it with a little cornstarch so it doesn't spill as easily. I would avoid jello. My kids still have a little trouble with it (it is so wiggly) and they are 5 and almost 3. Good luck.

There is the BEST spoon on the market that a friend told be about. I got one for my daughter who just turned 1 and she does great with it. I got her's a Toy R Us but I believe Target carries them too. They are GREAT!!

http://www.sassybaby.com/product?productid=60&product...

This may or may not work but alot of kids this age get very independant. Make the spoon "his" idea. Put it on his tray or nearby with any sort of food he is having allowing him to initiate it. It may help to give him a bite or two with it and then put it down not into his hands and let him grab for it. Just an idea. Hope it gets better soon.

Erin

My son is 22 months old and still doesn't eat properly with a spoon, but he won't start eating either until he has either a spoon or a fork in hand (I bought him child safe spoons and forks) If you haven't done this do so as my suggestion. Also don't force him to use it. One little girl I know is two and picks her food up w/ her fingers and then places it on her spoon and eats it. It takes some time for them to get use to using them. But the more your little one notices you using one and has one to at least experiment with at meal time the easier it will be for him to use itand accept it. As for soup trying draining it so that he can just pick up the noodles veggies and meats, unless of course its tomatoe or something then try just putting it into a sippie. We don't do soup much with our little one. Although eating with fingers is very messy its all part of them learing to eat and be independent...the independence only gets worse...or should i say better?