Won't be spoon fed, finger food gets thrown on the floor

[Miss Vintage]

My son for the last few weeks has refused to be spoon fed, I know this means he's probably ready to feed himself, but most finger food I give him he throws on the floor. The only food that doesn't get the treatment is bread sticks, dry toast and some fruits, his favourite being blueberries. I'm not sure what to do, I'm worried he's not getting enough to eat. Has anyone got any experiences they could share/advice? I should add he's allergic to dairy.

 

[randomrach]

My LO doesn't like being fed either unless it's something she really likes. I would stick with finger foods lo does like and top up with as much milk as you need to. My lo can eat most things off of a fork and enjoys doing it - she's just turned 11 months. You should try that and give lots of encouragement, my girl thinks she's so brilliant and clever when she uses her fork its so sweet!

 

[LoveMyBaby786]

My lo was doing this. I always give him half finger food and then something I can feed him with but I always let him hold a spoon/fork as well to he can try and feed himself whilst I feed him aswell. If I dont do this he will not eat his food. Worth a try x

 

[Miss Vintage]

Thanks ladies. I've tried giving him the spoon and that does sometimes work so I'll persevere with that and a fork, and try some more finger foods. I was thinking of little sandwiches seeing as he likes bread so much, is he old enough for that?

 

[Balloo]

Until they're one food is just supposed to be fun so dont worry too much Hun, my LO throws lots of her food on the floor ATM (consider getting a dog as my Hoover just cannot cope with the mess!!) which she never used to do. I reacted once, flipping once I tells ya, and the monster has decided that is it the most fun thing in the whole wide world!! I asked my local health centre guru (honestly shes amazing, if i could clone her and sell her to families id make millions!!) and she said not to panic and Just keep going and along as LO is putting on weight fine then just get ready for some big clean ups! x

 

[Balloo]

Also definitely old enough for sandwiches! My LOs favourite is cheese spread or ham. Just make them up and cut them into fingers, xx

 

[Miss Vintage]

Thanks Balloo, I will try sandwiches

 

[randomrach]

There are lots of things you can try - steamed veg, fruits, potato wedges, fish fingers, rice cakes, multigrain shapes, dried fruits and sultanas etc.

 

[Miss Vintage]

Rice cakes and steamed veg are two of the things that get chucked over the side! He does love raisins though.

 

[randomrach]

Rice cakes and steamed veg are two of the things that get chucked over the side! He does love raisins though.

my lo isn't fussy but doesn't like being fed. She's already had 15oz milk, weetabix, half a slice of plain bread, rice cakes, sultanas, blueberries, half a satsuma and a yogurt today. I know she'll let me give her dinner today because she really likes soup. Some days she hardly eats though your lo obviously isn't hungry.

 

[Shadowy Lady]

mine goes through phases of having her fave food and tossing everything else. I don't think it's very odd. She used to love her baby biscuits and strawberries but now she hates them. Babies know when they're full and they will let you know when they're hungry. So if there's something he's not eating don't force it and try something else or a different time.

 

[xHaylesx]

ahhhhhh Mac is doing exactly the same thing! Has a couple of spoonfulls at the most unless it's yoghurt! Drives me mad at times but i know he'll eat when he's hungry, he's more of a snacker i think. He also tosses loads of finger food on the floor x

 

[KatieB]

Same here! Alex now clamps his mouth shut at the spoon, unless it's fruit or yoghurt. Oh, and he lets me feed him porridge in the morning. He's starting to eat finger foods more proficiently now, in that slightly less is going on the floor and more in his tummy! He loves toast, sandwiches, fruit, scrambled eggs, brioche, chicken, avocado, rice cakes, babybels... a real little hoover

 

[Scottish mum]

I do both. I let him pick and I feed him with a spoon to ensure he's eating enough! Just get a mat under him for the mess.

It's good for them to feel the texture but its also important they eat too so I mix it x

 

[Melissa x]

Sorry only read first post but just wanted to add my son started this couple of weeks ago so I gave him the spoon and he started feeding himself! I had to guide him abit to start or spoon it on but then he just did it! Maybe just offer a spoon and see what happens, you could also have one if it helps actually get some food in!

 

[Melissa x]

Now ive read on and see you have tried this! Oh no another thing my son loves is dipping breadsticks in homous

 

[ericacaca]

If all else fails with Oscar I give him a banana! He loves them! x

 

[broodyhen]

Wow what a coincidence. My son is EXACTLY the same and allergic to dairy and born 17/9/12 so around the same time as your LO?

We've struggled with weaning from 6 months. The HV said if you haven't cracked weaning by 9 months you may have a fussy eater on your hands so I was worried too. My son BF a lot which I think is part of the reason he shows little interest in food and just throws it on the floor or makes a big mess. Finally in the last couple of weeks he seems to have found a form of weaning he likes. I have to break food into small pieces and feel him it with my fingers! So he likes all meat but only if I break tiny bits off and put it is his mouth. Won't touch anything off a spoon. He likes bread, fruit, etc but obviously we are a bit restricted in that I can't feed him sloppy runny stuff! Ha. Luckily he is getting a taste for food now and managing to go longer between milk feeds. Good luck!

 

[Zephram]

I've noticed with my baby that if I put more than one piece of finger food on his tray at once he will just play with them instead of eat it. So I put one bit at a time and he eats each one in turn. You could try that!

 

[Miss Vintage]

Thanks so much for all the helpful suggestions ladies, we've tried sandwiches with some success, and will persevere with getting him to use the spoon himself. Good to know my baby isn't the only one to find it hilarious to chuck all food on the floor!