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Feeding himself
Hi all
I'm after some advice as yet again my sil has made me feel like a complete failure as a mother!!
Cameron's almost 14 months and refuses point blank to feed himself anything, even finger foods. He'll hold onto food and play with it but it never goes anywhere near his mouth. I give him some type of finger foods with every meal to try and encourage him, but so far he just isn't interested. I figured he just wasn't ready and was happy to continue offering him the foods, but with either myself or John continuing to feed him the majority of his meal.
Then i happened to mention this to John's sister, apparently he's just lazy and has figured out that we'll feed him so that's why he doesn't bother. I could understand this if he had been feeding himself and suddenly stopped, but he's never fed himself, he just plays with the food and throws it on the floor!!!
I'd love to know what you all think. I really don't know what else to try, i can't make him feed himself.
Sorry for the moan, but this is just the latest in a long line of things that i'm rubbish at!
I'm after some advice as yet again my sil has made me feel like a complete failure as a mother!!
Cameron's almost 14 months and refuses point blank to feed himself anything, even finger foods. He'll hold onto food and play with it but it never goes anywhere near his mouth. I give him some type of finger foods with every meal to try and encourage him, but so far he just isn't interested. I figured he just wasn't ready and was happy to continue offering him the foods, but with either myself or John continuing to feed him the majority of his meal.
Then i happened to mention this to John's sister, apparently he's just lazy and has figured out that we'll feed him so that's why he doesn't bother. I could understand this if he had been feeding himself and suddenly stopped, but he's never fed himself, he just plays with the food and throws it on the floor!!!
I'd love to know what you all think. I really don't know what else to try, i can't make him feed himself.
Sorry for the moan, but this is just the latest in a long line of things that i'm rubbish at!
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Replies
Don't let anyone make you feel like you are no good at your job as a mum, that is not on.
All children are different and progress at different rates. Jack was not interested in feeding himself and I still used to feed him some meals up until just before he was 2, whereas Charlotte was feeding herself before her 1st birthday!! That's girls for you!
The one thing I did find that helped was waiting til he was so hungry he was really ready for his food, then I put finger food in front of him while the main was cooling down. I also gave him a spoon as well as me and eventually he clicked on to what he should be doing. It won't change over night, so don't worry if it takes a few weeks/ months he will get there.
You are really sounding very down at the moment. Take care.
Zoe xx
If your sil's baby is feeding himself, then great but like Zoe says, all babies are different.
Katelin was'nt feeding herself till she was about 16/17 months. She was more than happy to sit in her highchair with her mouth open waiting for me to shovel it in.
She fed herself only when she was good and ready.
Infact, its a bonus that he still wants you to do it as you know exactly what he's eaten.
I think katelin has done well with her dinner till I get her out her highchair and find loads of food in her seat.
He's still a baby and he loves his mummy feeding him. Take no notice of you sil.
Zoe's right,you do sound a bit down. What you need is a good long chat on pp one night!
Lucy - Her son is almost 12 and is just perfect!!!!! I normally just ignore her but was feeling a bit sensitive today so took what she said to heart.
Claire - Cameron only occasionally holds his own bottle, i quite like still having him cuddle in to get his milk!!
I know i'm doing a good job, he's happy and healthy and that's what matters. I'm going to persevere giving him finger foods with his meals, i'm sure he'll do it when he's ready. I really shouldn't complain, he's a great eater and so far hasn't refused anything put in front of him.
This morning i gave Cameron some toast fingers while i made his weetabix, i just laid them on his tray and turned my back to get his bowl out the cupboard. When i looked back he was very busily chomping on the toast!!!
Would it be awfully naughty of me to stick 2 cyber fingers up at his Aunty and say HAHA!!!!
As for your sil grrrr that was v.thoughtless of her as you are a great mummy, Cameron always looks so happy in the pics you post so you are doing a fab job!
He prefers to hold things and touch them, while going hmmmmm, hmmmmm!!!
He's a very odd lil man!!
I didnt realise your sil's boy was 12.
Lets all stick up 2 cyber fingers to her (oops! she dont come on here does she?)
She's got far more important things to do, no time to chat!!
Unless it's to give me her advice, she's always got plenty of time for that!!
The little devil fed himself some of his sandwich at lunchtime today too, i'm not telling her though. She'll think it's all down to her!!
I think sometimes if people kept their opinions to themselves then it would be so much better. I do feel sorry for that 12 year old having such a stuck up mother though. Surely she must realise that kids progress at different rates.
Hope you are ok xx
I just want to tell you that Seif too has no interest in feeding himself. He will put anything he finds in his mouth, tv remote, toys, gadgets etc... but when I give him finger foods he just plays with it and looks at me. I was very concerned but when I asked a few friends they told me to give him time and he'll feed himself when he's ready.
so please don't despair, I'm sure Cameron will come around soon.
Best of luck
Samiha