At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

Seeing all these pics of the little ones feeding themselves. I was wondering at what age did you start? Alex is 11 months old and I am ashamed to admit he doesn't use a spoon yet. This is my fault because I haven't let him experiment all that much, only once in a while. He can self feed finger foods I guess I am going to have to give up control and let him make a mess.

Re: At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

Michael was just about a year when I started leaving a spoon in his bowl. Now he's pretty good at it, better with cereal and yogurt because it sort of sticks to the spoon - he has the idea of the fork, but he gets lucky if something sticks to it... try just giving him a yogurt and leave the spoon there, he may surprise ya!

Re: At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

Andrew is 13 months old and he will only feed himself with his hands. He flings the spoon on the floor!

Re: At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

Claire is 14 months old, she doesnt have the skill to put much on the spoon or fork, but if I put the food on, she can get it to her mouth with no problem. I think you have to let them play to build on the skill.

Re: At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

I honestly never thought about giving my son untensils. I thought that came much later on. Most of my friends said between 12-18 months is when their children showed interest and started to learn.

I had let him play with spoons but that is about it. Around mid-11 month he started showing interest in the spoon big time. He wouldn't eat unless he had a spoon in his hand - even though I was feeding him. Now, I give it to him and he tries to eat but it is all just a mess right now. If I put the food on the spoon, he can kind of get it in his mouth - sometimes he does real well and often he misses. If I give him some bay food in a bowl he can kind of do that but most table food is too awkward for him.

He is 13 months now and he is practicing and it is messy but very fun. I just bought him a fork this weekend but I am yet to try it. I think you still have plenty of time - don't worry.

Re: At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

I let Andrew play with utensils and he could use a spoon ok, but not with any dexterity.

I would say by 18 months, Andrew was able to use a spoon and a fork while eating and at that point graduated from eating with his fingers. He nows does it very well, but I think the whole process of mastering it doesn't come until later on.

Re: At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

I posted pictures of Miranda with a spoon and while she did get it to her mouth she hardly feeds herself.
I wouldn't worry. I'm sure he'll let you know when he's ready to do it himself.

Re: At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

He is starting to, but I'm too afraid that me may stick the spoon too far into his mouth so I kind of help him

Re: At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

I just started giving Kevin the Gerber Lil Dipper. I usually feed him most of his meal and then dip the "spoon" in his food and hand it to him. He's pretty good at getting it into his mouth but he can't dip it in the bowl by himself yet.

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Re: At what age did your baby start feeding themself?

Thanks ladies, I was feeling like a bad mommy because I haven't really let him use the spoon, other than play.