FEEDING PROBLEM

Hello

My daughter is 19 months old and generally all is well apart from a problem with her eating habits. I know that by now she should be able to at least attempt to try and feed herself, but it is just not happening. This has been going on for a few months now. I thought it was a phase, but I am starting to get worried.

When she was around 14-15 months she seemed to be showing an interest in picking up finger foods, holding them, putting them in her mouth, licking, tasting it etc. I used to give her baby biscuits, bits of banana, any fkind of food really and she would quite happily hold and taste it herself.

She eats well and does not refuse anything if it is fed to her, but now I see no development in her actually wanting to feed herself. She does not want to pick up food with her fingers, and will tentativally 'touch it' but that is it. If i give her a biscuit which I know she loves, she will just hold it and maybe lick it, but will not try to bite. If i were to take the biscuit and break small bits off for her and put it in her mouth, she then will eat it. She will quite happily put anything that is not food in her mouth by herself though, so I know it's not anything to do with her hand - mouth coordination.

I have tried making food something that is seen as play and a game, but am running out of ideas and wondering what I am doing wrong, or have done wrong.

Please can you give me any tips, advice as I am worrying if she will be able to feed herself as 'finger-foods' is a stage that does not seem to be happening.

Thanking you in advance.

Meah

[Renee Radenberg]

her weight and height is normal for her age. Have you tried a spoon for her to use? If that does not work, suggest having her evaluated for eating skills.