How do you get your baby to eat table foods?

Kristy - posted on 09/07/2010

My daughter is 7 months old and she loves it eat..But once in awhile she will not eat anything so I put it in front of her and instead of me feeding it to her she would rather do it herself. She makes a good mess but I let her have fun with it and she will eat it if she can do it herself..

Anita - posted on 03/28/2009

unfortunately at this age kids are more interested in whats going on around them...my 18mth old has always been a vrey good eater and loves his foods...at the moment though he more interested in playing...Maybe you li darling doesnt like the texture of the mash potato or the taste of it on its own...if its the texture trying baking  the potato instead and if its the taste try mashing some sweet potato into it to give it more taste/sweetness....some toddlers like to eat off their parents plates becos they think the food is different to what u serve up for them so try leaving ur plat close enough for her to grab hr own food off ur plat if u dont mind her doing so....the other thing is if u allow ur lil one to snack during the meals try to cut down on the snacks so that they they are a lil hungry when its meal times..toddlers also think they are older kids now and want and likes to use adults utensils...our lil one try's..really trys to eat with chopsticks ...u can guess how much  ends up on his lap..in this scenario its handy to have another bowl of his food were u feed him inbtween he's feeds and attempts of feeds..:)

Laura - posted on 03/28/2009

My suggestion is that you need to consider that she might be getting to the age that,,, when she gets hungry she will eat. you just want to watch out as she continues to get older to not get her into the habit of not eating what is offered to her, then you will get into the habit of always giving her what she might want to eat and not what is being offered to eat at the time. Not okay as time goes by and toddlers become kids.

Theo - posted on 03/28/2009

start small things. Even if she makes a mess go for it. that is how they learn to experiment on things that they can feel, smell, and taste. Using their sense will help them along.

try the baby cereal (fruit loops) even baby crackers. Try to put some food in her plate one food at a time. If she does not know what it is she would not touch it. try something that she will be familiar with. Whatever your eating even try to put it on her plate. they will eat if they are hungry. try anything with mashed potatoes if that does not help try cut up cheese, small pieces of fruits....or even yogurt (baby kinds)...eventually they will love the taste and love to eat...

Jessie - posted on 03/28/2009

when i introduced table foods to my kids i made it fun, i started out with cereal, then hotdogs, but i tried to make it fun. i would eat some then i would over exagerate on how good it was. sometimes if they wouldn't eat what i gave them, then i would let them sit there until they atleast tried it. you cant give in, when they are hungary they will eat. give it time and be patient.