how do I teach my baby to use a spoon?

Ashley - posted on 11/29/2009

i do the same as crystal, i feed him with one spoon and my son(6 months) holds the other. he sometimes puts it in his mouth as if he is trying to figure it out. i think you have to just let him have the spoon and figure it out. it will happen! i was jsut at a 2 year olds birthday, he wasn't really using his spoon either, just holding it...feeding himself with the other hand..he did try using the spoon a few times though. i think it's like crawling, they will figure it out on their own. i say try having the baby sit with you at dinner too so he see's how you use your spoon/fork. little ones are big on imitating! i'm sure he will get there! good luck!

Marypaz Sioco - posted on 11/29/2009

My, dear Mom like me. as this age of your child they are likely always been playing whatever they can hold. at this time of their age they always want to hold and play. So let them decide and yet u are still the one who will instill the proper way. At the moment they are tend to enjoy barehanded. At this point, if the child is ready for the task that's the time u can teach the proper way of handling a spoon. More power! I hope it will help. Marypaz Herrera

Lianne - posted on 11/29/2009

jus give him a spoon 2 play around with and u use another 2 show him wot 2 do, he'll get the hang of it!!

Julia - posted on 11/29/2009

I'm doing what Christal and Stacy are doing. My baby is 10months, and now enjoys trying to feed himself with his own spoon during each feed, but I have to assist him, help turn his spoon the right way round to the scooping side, use my own spoon to scoop food into his own spoon, and do an initial lift of his spoon off the plate towards his mouth, as he often just keeps trying to scoop. His interest in self-feeding started after I did the below for some time :-

Try playing Feeding games with him. Maybe start with an empty plate, him with his own spoon, and you with yours. Play, "baby feed mummy", and now "mummy feed baby". Rope in his favourite toys if you like, perhaps his teddy or some plastic figurine.

Tickle his interest by comically dramatising the play and real feeds. Lots of verbal and facial expression praises and encouragement.

Maybe start some practice real feeds with less wet foods, like dry cereal shapes, small cut bread cubes, anything that can be scooped onto a spoon, and easier for you to clean.

Stacy - posted on 11/29/2009

What i'm doing with my son is when i feed him he will grab my hand and part of the handle of the spoon with each spoonfull and evenually with doing that you son will learn how to do it on his own depending on your son how fast he learns but i would help him hold the spoon and feed him that way til he learns to do it himself.

Christal - posted on 11/29/2009

Going to throught the same thing. I let my little girl have a spoon of her own while I'm feeding her with another spoon, she tries to dip it in the bowl, but most of the time it gets all over. But I do see progress!

Brandy - posted on 11/29/2009

Nicole just work with him he will catch on trust me they do what they see,