Good afternoon,

I've got another feeding question. I've been successful in integrating textured foods into Rebekah's diet by feeding her coarsely chopped food by spoon. I've not been successful in getting her to self-feed. She will only feed herself puffs and occasionally pieces of cheese. Everything else I've tried immediately gets dropped onto the floor. For example, I tried cutting up green beans into bite-sized pieces and put them on her tray. She picked up the first one, squished it in her fingers for a moment, and dropped it onto the floor. I tried feeding her a piece so she could see it was good (she likes coarsely chopped green beans fed by spoon). She would spit it out as soon as it touched her tongue. I've even tried pieces of sweeter food, like pancakes, muffins, and bread, but nothing has encouraged her to self-feed. Do y'all have any other techniques I can try with her? Is this a sign she's just not ready? It seems by 11 months she should be ready, but I'm certainly not experienced. I've just watched friends' lil' ones assert their independence at the table by 11 months. Anyways, any advice would be appreciated. TIA!

Megan

03/06/98 - Married DH
10/10/08 - Welcomed Rebekah Faith

She may just be slow going on eating... my boy was a late eater too.... he eventually got the hang of it... he didn't even eat mushy baby food til 9- 10 months and didn't eat table food until he was well over a year. I had tried from six months but he pretty much exclusively breastfed until 9 months b/c he just refused to eat it.

She'll eat it when she's ready.... JMO

Thanks!

I know all babies develop at different rates in everything they do. I just don't want to do something wrong and delay her development. Really, I'm excited she's been eating a wide variety of lumpier foods by spoon.

Thanks for the reassuring comments!

Megan

03/06/98 - Married DH
10/10/08 - Welcomed Rebekah Faith

I certainly wouldn't worry, Megan! :) Before you know it she'll be feeding herself like a champ, just keep offering it to her. She could be really interested in feeling the textures on her fingers and it distracts her a bit?! Definitely not something I'd be concerned about :)