does your lo eat off a plate? eat with a spoon?

[debo620]

Noah is now 11months. We haven't ventured to self feeding with a spoon, most of the time if he gets the spoon---he just grabs the food ie. oatmeal and proceeds to put that in his mouth. What age should he realistically be feeding himself with a spoon?

do your 11month olds eat off plates?. I haven't been great with finger food--I mostly just put it on his high chair tray. thinking I will try to find some good suction plates/bowls. we have friends who only ever let their daughter eat off a suction plate from like 6months old. Now at 13 months----she just sits right at the table and uses a regular plate and never even tries to move it. I should have done that.

[*Kimberly*]

My son is 10 months and I have not even attempted to let him try to feed himself with a spoon.  He is still learning how to master finger foods.  I do not use a plate.  At home I put things right on the tray.  When we are out I use the sticky place mats or a napkin.  I am not in a huge rush to push either with my son.  He seems to do things on his own timescale and me helping doesn't help.   

Kimberly

[debo620]

yes, I don't want to push him either....but do want to guide him along. How and why would he eat off a plate if I don't give him one in the first place? time to find some good suction plates....

[*Kimberly*]

True, I did not mean to imply that you were pushing your child.  I only wanted to point out that my lo is only a month younger than your's and has no idea what to do with a spoon or a plate.  I think the suction plates and bowls are cool.  The also have suction silverwear so they cannot throw those either.  I plan on introducing a spoon in the near future once my lo has some more practice picking things up with his fingers.  He is on a spoon strike, with me, and I am not sure if that will transfer if he has the spoon.  It might not because he will be in control and not me.   

When you were younger did you ever think you would be grappling with issues such as suction plates and it would be a tough issue?   

Kimberly

[debo620]

did I think any part of raising a child would be tough....no not this tough. 
lots of lessons learned for next time...

[*Kimberly*]

I never imagined the types of conversations that I would find "normal", like BM's.     I never imagined I would get so excited over small things, like my son clapping his hands.     And I never thought decisions like what sippy cup to use and whether to use one or not, would be so hard.   

I have heard good things about using a suction plate/bowl.  I think the spoon is more difficult.  I had heard that the best way to do it is to let them have a spoon in their hand but to continue to feed them with a spoon on your own.  Then hopefully, at some point, they will try to imitate you and pick up some food with the spoon.  I am nervous about starting because I can only image the mess my son will make.  Good luck!   

Kimberly

[Johno & Aurelias Mum]

Its true that the best way is you both have a spoon.  Unfortunately from a cleaning point of view is that it takes a lot of practice so youve got to let them have a go and accept that they will make a mess. 

We had some suction bowls but they stuck so well, I couldn't get them off the tray without leftovers going everywhere so we gave up on those.

Use bowls, not plates as it gives them an edge to spoon up to and plates for finger food.

Since about 2 years old, DS has been able to spoon things without making much mess so I think you have a bit of practice to go yet 

[KathrynK]

I introduced a suction plate several weeks ago when dd started refusing the spoon and it has worked a treat! It's a Tommee Tippee one with 3 sections, I put different things in each, for example some chicken casserole in the middle, with some mashed potato in one side and some peas in the other side. This was on the advice of my health visitor- she said Sophie is old enough to see different types of food at one meal, rather than just mashing it all up together. She has a spoon to hold (always) and she helps herself to peas while I spoon in the rest. She will try to get some food on her spoon (with varying success)- mashed potato works well for this as it sticks to the spoon so she can try to get it in her mouth (again with varying success- I make a big fuss when she is successful!)

[KellyC]

I must be doing something wrong, none of my suctions plates stick!!

I really wouldn't worry at Noah's age.  Zander used to eat his food straight from his highchair tray and always used his hands to eat - back then if I'd given him his food in a bowl or plate he'd have thrown it on the floor!  I also think it's best to give them a little food at a time to begin with as a big plate of foods could overwhelm them.  At around 12 months Zander started nursery and the children all sit at a little table together and eat (sooo sweet!) and at this point we also started giving him his food in a bowl at home (not a plate, too difficult to scoop things up) and his own spoon.  Alot of the time he holds the spoon in one hand and eats with his other he also holds the spoon out to me or DH and says 'ta' and we load it for him and put it back in his bowl for him to feed himself.  Just lately he's been attempting to scoop the food up for himself but it really is quite tricky and requires alot of co-ordination.  I've heard a fork is a good idea as it's easier to stab things and get it to their mouths but we usually eat things like shepherd's pie, fish pie etc. where there isn't much food to stab!  I definitely think it's a good idea to sit down for meals together so he will watch you and want to eat in the same way - eventually!

Kelly x

[15milner]

I can't remember about using a spoon independently but we did always have 2 on the go.  In terms of using a plate.  YES all the time.  Partly because we have a Trip Trappe high chair with no tray which meant that Matthew has ALWAYS had to be at the table with us.  (that was very important to me) and I have always served him using our normal plates and bowls.  I only have 1 melamine plate and the plastic bowls were for when we were out and about. 

alex

[jumblebox]

I must be doing something wrong, none of my suctions plates stick!!

Our 9mo DS very quickly figured out how to undo the suction cup under the bowls (after figuring out how to undo the suction toy we'd bought him). Would love to know which ones stick well enough he can't get them loose!

[debo620]

have any of you looked at or tried the baby bjorn plate---its not suction but does claim to have a stay put rubber bottom and a flower like design that is hard for lo to hold and thus chuck. Its about $20.00 but I have always been so pleased with all of their other products. It also comes with a soft fork/spoon for later on.

[linfran]

We use the Tommy Tippee one too with ds (who is nearly 11mo) and it works great for the compartments but sometimes doesn't stick.

As for table manners, we've found the best thing we've done is have our meals with him and he tries to copy us.  His meals are made up of some finger food and some stuff that needs a spoon.  He'll also want to try what's on our plate and if it's healthy (ie no salt or sugar stuff) we'll let him.  We also have a little fork for him as he went through a phase of refusing the soon but would take his food off the fork.  He does sometimes stick his fingers in it but we are starting to give him his own spoon and he tries to feed himself - bit messy but I guess he's gotta learn sometime.

[debo620]

ok, so just wanted to let you all know---or for those who care---I bought the Baby Bjorn plate for 29.99
It is awesome. Its so simple and cleverly designed. It is not suction, yet it kind of stays in place and because of the design with a thick bottom----it is not very easy to pick it up. Noah just ate his whole lunch off of it and no attempts to throw it on the floor, it comes with two spoons and is apparently great for when they are spoon feeding themselves aswell as they can easily scoop the food on to the spoon. Also so transportable for those times when you know you won't have a highchair tray. 

[KellyC]

That's great Deborah