baby utensils and feeding themselves

hi everyone! i was just wondering when you all started to help your children learn to feed themselves with spoons and forks and using plates and such. edward feeds himself well with his hands (cut up pieces of things on the highchair), but anytime we are out and i put the food on a placemat, napkin or plate, it always gets thrown across the room. im not sure when they are able to process the whole idea of utensils but its difficult because he really prefers to feed himself. i have no problem spoon feeding him, its just that he doesn't like being spoon fed. lately, he refuses to try anything coming towards him on a spoon and not everything can be picked up with his hands, i.e.: yogurt. i have tried handing him the spoon and he gets the idea that the spoon goes in the mouth, but most times, a majority of what is on the spoon ends up everywhere but his mouth. haha. i know this is to be expected, but i don't know if im pushing it too soon or what. anyway, just looking for some pointers on how to go about it and ages when they're normally ready to feed themselves....thanks!

[kclay0840]

I actually can't remember when my first two boys started eating with utensils.  I'm sure I fed my first one longer than necessary--didn't want him making a mess.  Silly, I know.  Anyway, just for comparison purposes, my youngest is 17 mo. old and he will attempt to use his spoon or fork at times, but not much of the food actually makes it into his mouth.  Mostly he just holds the fork in one hand and just picks up the food with his other.  

They're all different.  I'm sure your little guy will eventually become interested in using utensils.  But I know what you mean about the restaurant scene--been there.  :0)  They do outgrow all that though.  Hope that helps a little.

[JoyRenee]

Kids don't usually become experts with the spoon and fork until closer to 2 years old. I have no clue as to how old your son is.

My DD ate with utensils early (15 months). Every little one is different! What I did was at every meal, I served it with utensils. If they ended up on the floor I would frown and say, "No no!" And then I would exaggerate eating with my utensils.

So just start giving him utensils at every meal. He'll get used to them being the "norm" and will eventually be curious enough to eat with them. If he picks one up and uses it properly (or as close to it as possible) get excited!

At 12-18 months they won't hold the utensils right. They usually fist them and get more food on their clothes and tray than in their mouth. That's okay! They need to learn. GOOD LUCK!!! Keep wet wipes handy!

[jd1419]

For a resturaunt bring your own bowl with a suction cup in.  I did this for awhile that way they can't just pick it up and throw it.  And bring your own plastic spoon or spork with you...that way they get used to what you give them at home.  My guys who are now 3 and 5 still sometimes use their hands more than silverware--it is just easier and if we are just at home that is fine...just let him see you use them often and let him experiment with trying to get it into his mouth--he will pick it up in no time.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I gave my kids little utensils from about 14 months on.  It was messy but they had so much fun.  The generally became adept at using the utensils around 2.

[girliegrl1723]

thanks everyone. 2 was the age i figured. edward is just so independent. i may let him play around with the idea for a while.

joyrenee - to answer your question, edward is 13 months old :o)

[kjbutcher]

after 12 months you can give him thicker things like yogurt and applesauce with a spoon, but keep a cup for yourself with your own spoon to make sure he is getting it but he will also pick up the idea of it while making a huge mess in the mean time.  have fun!

[kjbutcher]

by the way, they also have new things out that are yogurt balls.  They look like little hard candies but it is a soft shell with yogurt in them that he can eat with his hands.  I know that doesnt solve the inital problem but if he isnt eating it from a spoon you can at least try that.

[girliegrl1723]

never knew about the yogurt balls, i have to look into that...thanks!