At the age of a toddler, babies begin to show their independence even in food. This is a good opportunity for you to teach your baby how to feed on his own instead of having to be fed every spoonful as before.
The good news for mom is that at the age of a toddler, the baby's skills to use hands and fingers are much more skillful. I can observe that you become more proficient when drinking from a glass, when holding a spoon to splinter or putting food in your mouth. It can be said, your baby is very eager to try this skill. This is a good start for your baby to learn to eat alone, gradually reducing the mother's support.
Babies start to put food into their mouths by themselves from the 8th month
Tips to help your baby practice eating alone
Prepare 2 spoons: Mom and baby both hold their own spoons. Mom, scoop the food and wait for the baby to imitate it. Maybe the baby will win the mother's spoon. If so, mothers should exchange spoons with the baby so that the baby will discover how to scoop and eat food from her spoon.
Make things that are easy to scoop and stick to the spoon: Mothers should prepare some soft and easy-to-stick foods on the spoon so that the baby can easily touch the food and put it in his mouth.
Note eating utensils: The baby's spoon, fork or chopsticks should be the right size for the hands. Use a spoon or fork that is large, round and not sharp. Moms should not choose disposable spoons, forks and bowls, they are fragile or wrinkled, hindering the baby's learning process.
Choosing the right tools will help your baby eat more confidently
Patiently encourage and wait
The practice of eating as well as practicing standing, walking, generally takes a lot of practice. It is understandable that it is understandable that the experience of indiscriminate meals and food scattered throughout the house. But best, mothers should let the baby tinkering with her own hands. Watch quietly and help your baby only when needed.
Practice the manners on the table
Want your baby to become a lady / gentleman in the future? Mom do not forget to practice polite eating habits from the beginning. Some suggestions suitable for babies in this age group:
-Mom please "drag" me into the conversation at the table
-Mom always eat nutritious foods in front of baby's eyes. Don't tell your children to eat A and B foods when you never touch them.
- Be polite in the dining table. For example, say "thank you". Soon the baby will grasp these and practice proficiently.
From 8 months old, the baby is able to hold and eat food by himself. By the 13th month, the baby begins to pay attention to the use of eating utensils such as spoons and forks. At about 18 months, your baby will know how to combine different tools into their diet. Mom, please follow your journey of food discovery and self-eating.
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