MY frustration with his self feeding!!!

[Samismum]

hello all...

I know that the goal is for then to feed themselves but i guess i just need a bit of a vent!!!

My 15mth old ds used to eat a cereal for breakfast and rice/pasta/potato plus lots of veggies for dinner (this was when i was spoon feeding him)

He now refuses to eat anything that he cant put in his mouth himself and if i even try to put a spoon near his mouth there is a major meltdown :roll:  breakfast is now 1/2 banana, lunch a slice of toast &cheese and dinner if im lucky is him picking food from my plate.

i am finding this so frustrating  :oops:  as the amount he is eating is so little and i know he is hungry as he keeps pointing to the fridge saying "eezze" (his word for cheese!!)

Is this normal?
how long does this last?

I'm finally understanding all these jokes/comments about toddler eating habits :lol:

Thanks for listening  :lol:

[Fife_Mum]

OK, I hope this isn't too silly a question but can he manage a spoon himself? Or a fork? Are you allowing him to practise?

The other thing is have you looked for more fingerfood ideas?
http://www.easy-kids-recipes.com/toddler-finger-food.html

I have this book on my kitchen shelf for when I run out of ideas:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0091889510/qid=1132581697/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_8_1/202-0988860-6828635

I find sandwiches go down well, especially if they are cut into shapes with cookie cutters  :lol:  Star-shaped cheese sandwiches must taste better! I just get to eat all the left-over bits & crusts  :wink:

Also, if he is hungry, does he have snacks between meals? An active toddler needs small healthy snacks too. Having said that he won't starve so don't worry too much.

[tylersmommy]

Have you tried letting him try using the spoon? It's messy and it takes forever to finish a meal, but it's all part of the learning process. I started by scooping up the food onto the spoon and handing it to Tyler or resting it on the side of the dish, and he'd pick it up and put it in his mouth. When he did it right, I'd praise him so he knew that the spoon wasn't for flinging food. I'd also just hand him the spoon and let him have at it sometimes, but if you do that, I'd recommend using a bowl with a suction cup on the bottom to keep it from sliding everywhere when he tries to scoop. If that doesn't work, then just offer all finger foods until the phase passes. Good luck!

[jubee]

I do the exact same thing that Melissa above mentioned with a spoon and a fork.  Our ds tries to do it himself and will ask for help when he gets too frustrated.  I help when he asks, otherwise he thinks I am trying to take over.  He is 17 months now and has gotten pretty good at it.  Good luck.