Ten Spoon Feeding Tips Listed By a
Feeding Specialist

This parent tips sheet will focus on helping your toddler master self feeding with as little fuss and muss as possible.

Around the age of 12 and 18 months most toddlers began to start learning how to spoon feed themselves. Most toddlers are curious about using utensils even if their coordination isn’t exactly perfected. It is important to allow them to be curious and to practice.

TIP 1

Practice using utensils with your toddler in pretend play. Pretend cooking and eating with your toddler away from the table or high chair. Use safe cups, bowls and spoons and demonstrate stirring with spoon and then bring it to your mouth. Help your toddler imitate these actions. This is a great way to introduce spoon feeding without the mess or stress.

Tip 2

When toddlers are between 6-9 months they often are curious about spoons. Have an extra spoon for them to hold and play with during mealtime. Encourage dipping and licking off of their spoon while you feed them.

TIP 3

When you do decided to add food for your toddler to practice with choose foods that will give him the most success. These foods might include yogurt, oatmeal, cream of wheat, pudding, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and apple sauce. Soups and cereals should be avoided at first for beginners.

TIP 4

Like with any learning experience choosing the right tools can make the whole experience easier. I have had good success with plastic spoons with fat handles. The Tip Stop Bowl is a great tool for toddlers and parents during the learning to self feed time.

TIP 5

Young children often lack the motor coordination to spoon feed themselves with smooth coordinated movements. This is not to say they shouldn’t attempt the task just be prepared for a mess as they practice to learn this. To help your toddler, scoop the food and then allow him to bring it to his mouth in the very beginning. When your toddler masters this part of the skill next try hand over hand to imitate scooping. Eventually, allow your toddler to completely control the spoon and practice on his own.

TIP 6

Place a mat that can be wiped clean under the chair where your toddler will be learning in. I bought a dog for this job. He works great but still is chewing up things. I had one mother tell me she only allowed her toddler to practice using a spoon when they were at a restaurant so that the bus boys had to clean up after him.(I hope she left a BIG tip)

TIP 7

Use bibs that fasten in the back. The ones that you pull on and off over the head usually add more mess than prevents it. This is especially true when you are not controlling the amount of food being dumped on it. I am a big fan of strip down to the diaper and dunk them in the tub after the meal.

Tip 8

The job of eating is a serious business so watch you toddler during this time carefully. Never allow your toddler to wave or throw his spoon or food. Not only is this dangerous and mess it also establishes bad table habits. Teach good table skills right from the start so your not having to undo bad habits later on.

Tip 9

When your toddler has a good handle on spooning(no pun intended) you should allow him to try using a fork. Gerber has great metal toddler cutlery that works well. Give your toddler foods that will stick on the tines fairly easily like bananas,cheese or small pieces of meat.

TIP 10

Be patient and praise your little ones attempts at spoon feeding no matter how messy. Allow your toddler the opportunity to practice his new skill.

Spoon Feeding Teaching Tools

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