Self-Feeding

My son is 9 months old and LOVES finger food, but the problem is that I'm the one putting the food in his mouth. He can pick the food up between his finger and thumb (pincer grasp) and has been able to for quite some time, but refuses to put the food anywhere near his mouth. He won't even let me lead his hand to his mouth when he has the food in his fingers. He uses all his strength to not put his hand near his mouth. Yet, he WANTS the food, and badly. He will sit there with his mouth wide open banging on the table. He is not interested in baby food anymore. Pediatrician is not concerned and just said his motor skills are not there yet and will come with time. Feeding him is taking forever and I feel like there's something really wrong. Any suggestions??

Re: Self-Feeding

Don't know if you're already doing this, but when I get tired of waiting for DD to finish and I think she's getting bored I break out a spoon and finish feeding the solids to her in spoonfuls. It doesn't help you get him feeding himself but it would speed up the process. I found that after a few weeks of self feeding one piece at a time she was able to handle a small mouthful of several pieces if the food is familiar to her already. HTH

Re: Self-Feeding

DD was like that at 9 months old too, then it seemed just like one day she started to put things in her mouth instead of just holding them.

I think she was about 10 months old when she started actually putting them in her mouth.

ETA: I used to give her puffs all the time to practice, they are easy to pick up and put in.

Message edited 4/12/2007 12:02:26 PM.

Re: Self-Feeding

Yeah, I've done that. That's really not the issue. He can handle lots in his mouth ... it's the fact that he's not even trying to get it into his mouth himself that's upsetting me.

Re: Self-Feeding

He is so young, you are expecting too much. Give him time and help him for now.

Re: Self-Feeding

Ok, you guys made me feel better. I just feel like everyone else his age is feeding themselves and I'm a worrier by nature. He doesn't really put anything in his mouth -- never has.

Re: Self-Feeding

If you are really worried that something isn't right, call early interventions for a free evaluation -- it will make you fell much better!

Re: Self-Feeding

It sounds like it's not an issue of whether he CAN, but whether he WANTS to. In fact, it sounds like my little nephew is starting to assert himself, and trying to tell mommy exactly who rules the roost, just like his mommy

I wouldn't worry. Don't make an issue out of it... otherwise he'll make an issue out of it. Give it time, and it will probably end up being a phase that will eventually pass

Re: Self-Feeding

Don't worry... I remember that I worried as well when Nicholas was 9/10 months old because of the same issue. I practiced and I put cheerios and puffs in front of him, I tried to teach him and I was comparing him to another babies... One day, before he turned 11 months he did it. The thing is they do it at their time, no when we want them to do it. So, don't worry... your son will do it sooner or later. By the way, the same thing happened when I was trying to teach him how to drink from a sippy cup. It took a couple of monts and many different sippy cups and finally he just learned. I understand you because I am a worrier myself.

Message edited 4/12/2007 1:37:48 PM.

Re: Self-Feeding

Thanks Everyone. I guess I should be grateful that he's not trying to put everything in his mouth!