When did your lo start using utensils?

[maggie2]

Ds is 19 months and I give him a fork with every meal (well, every meal that includes foods he can "stab"!).  He's still learning and making progress.  He still can't do much with a spoon, and I think part of the reason is because I usually spoon feed him the mushy foods (he LOVES oatmeal!!!).  When I do spoon feed, I give him the spoon if he wants to put the food in his mouth himself, but then he hands it back to me for more.  I guess I don't really allow him to experiment too much with "spoon-type" foods, mainly because he hates wearing a bib and I just can't stomach the mess   I'm just wondering if I should be really encouraging him to experiment more at this age?  What do you all think?  He's also in a booster at the table now - didn't seem to like his high chair much any more, so any mess that he makes will likely end up EVERYWHERE!  But I'm willing to take some precautionary measures (drop cloths, etc.) if I find that kids his age should really be using utensils more than he does now...

Thanks for any input or advice!!!!
Maggie

[Lana]

Well my 4 year old still sometimes uses his fingers instead of his fork or spoon.  I've gotten to the point that I dont worry about it as long as he is eating i am happy .   I also found that the less I "harp" on him about it the more likely he is to use the utensil.

I would just keep on offering and he will eventually be able to do it on his own.  Also you could try to use two spoons when you spoon feed.  One for him and one for you.  Then he may try to scoop on his own or you may just keep on trading.

HTH

[Shortcake]

Our dd is 16 months and just chews her spoon if i give her ne to encourage her. I'm not worried tho as none of her friends have mastered it yet either!! I'm sure the penny will drop eventually!!!

[* Paula *]

My DS had his own spoon just after he turned 1.  He had his own little bowl with a tiny bit of what ever we were feeding him in it.  This he was allowed to play with and try to learn to use the spoon, while we fed him from his normal bowl.

At the age of 17 months DS would not let us feed him anymore, and spoon fed himself from then on.  He has now mastered the art of feeding himself.

My next step is to introduce the fork.  He still tries to use it as a spoon, and will pick up all the bigger foods with his fingers.

[tylersmommy]

I hate messes too! I used to thicken just about everything Tyler ate with a spoon. I kept a box of baby oatmeal on hand and used it to thicken grownup oatmeal, soup, mac and cheese, just about anything. A non-messy way to get spoon practice is to give a bowl of cereal without milk, like cheerios. You'll get a lot of them on the floor, but at least it isn't goopy.

That said, Tyler is 3 and still only uses utensils when the urge strikes him. He didn't even want to try until he turned 2. It really doesn't matter to me, I know he'll figure it out before college!

[Katet]

Gosh I must be the odd one out, my 22mo has been using a spoon & fork since he was about 12mo & never lets me feed him... doesn't wear bibs & hardly makes a mess either... my 3.5yo is now "attempting" (as of this last week) to move to "grown up" cutlery (his choice) & gave his "toddler" knife & fork to his brother... who is now happily trying to use the little knife. My 22mo now also likes to try & butter his bread.
I haven't pushed it, but just let it happen... I don't remember much mess after a week or 2 either.

[maggie2]

Wow Katet!  I can't believe your lo has been using them since 12 mo!!!   That's terrific!

I think that I just have to suck it up and let him make a mess and learn from it.  Although I do also like the argument that he'll definately learn before college!!! 

I guess the other thing is that I'm due to give birth in a couple of months, and it would be so nice if he were able to be a bit more independant at meal times

Thanks for all the input ladies!!!  Still welcoming more for anyone who would like to share!

[*Natasha*]

Proablt around 14months DD started using normal cuttlery spoon and fork and feeding herself. She does great now even eating all her yoghurt on her own and finishing her cereal scrapping out the bowl. The messy part is getting better thank goodness.