How old until they feed themselves??

[Heidi]

i have a 12 mnth old that throws everything on the floor LOL.. I would love for him to be more independent, but i dont like the mess.. i guess i better start accepting it and let him learn?? eeekkkkk LOL

Use 2 plates...one for him with only a tiny bit of everything, one to refill it when that's gone. If he starts throwing food, you say "when you throw food, that shows me that you are not hungry" and take the plate away. If you are really worried, you can give him another chance a few minutes later, but he'll learn really fast that throwing food equals he's done.

[allsmiles]

Use 2 plates...one for him with only a tiny bit of everything, one to refill it when that's gone. If he starts throwing food, you say "when you throw food, that shows me that you are not hungry" and take the plate away. If you are really worried, you can give him another chance a few minutes later, but he'll learn really fast that throwing food equals he's done.

i will try this!!

[Francine]

I have a little guy (turned one in August) that has always been a good eater, but I think now that he is a bit older and showing his independence he will just refuse to eat. I will set the plate in front of him, he will look at me and not cry but scream. I seriously think his parents just keep offering him things " Oh, you don't want that? Let's try this, and this, and this, and this" That is exactly what he looks like when he screams at me " I don't want this, give me something else" NOT HAPPENING HERE! If he doesn't eat and starts dropping it on the floor I wash his hands and face and send him on his merry little way.

[Abigail]

I had a 14 month old start with me and anything that was going to need a spoon I would feed it to him and now at 18 months he can start trying to feed himself those things. Those were mostly applesauce and yogurt. All other foods and thicker spoon-needed dishes he has been feeding himself little amounts at a time since 15 months. I start out slow because I want their eating experience to be a good one and I also am not going to waste food. Sometimes if he trys to toss food on the floor I take his plate and ask if he is done because he is throwing his food on the floor. I also tell him that is not okay, we don't throw food on the floor. Something along those lines because all my 1-3 year olds eat in the same room at the same time and it is a teachable moment. Just like when my 2 year olds would continuously get off their chair when they transitioned to the table from high chair they had their warnings that if they got off their chair their food was going to go in the garbage. They learn table manners and when you take the time to work with them it's a great outcome! Kids never are denied food and are never hungry here either so don't assume I take kids food away all the time because I don't. I believe in baby steps and patience and small amounts at time and then seconds. Works great!