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Dig in

"Toot toot! Here comes the train into the station!" the mother enthusiastically brings the spoon swooping around, imitating a train chugging down the tracks... and meets a firmly closed mouth.

Why does eating - something that gives adults and older children so much pleasure - turn into torture for so many babies and toddlers? Think about it. Would you like it if every mouthful you took were fed to you? Babies are just like anyone else - they want a chance to do it themselves! 

By six months, when most doctors recommend the introduction of solids, a baby is interested in toys and other objects (most of which end up in his mouth!). As mothers, we're always telling our babies, "Don't put that in your mouth!" So why don't we at least give them the chance to put in their mouths the things that belong in their mouths?

Dealing with the mess

Yes, self-feeding can be a mess and will remain so for several years. No baby or toddler learns instantly how to juggle a spoon and fork. But practice makes perfect. Toddlers that don't learn to feed themselves at an early age often become lazy and want to be fed at an age when they should be feeding themselves. 

This doesn't mean that you have to turn every meal into a food fight. You can take certain steps to cut down on the mess, but try not to make too big of a deal of little mishaps. 

One of the best prevention measures you can take is to invest in a high chair. High chairs help you accomplish several goals at once: it's easier for a baby or toddler to reach food and convey it to his mouth if it's on a tray in front of him; you emphasize that food should be eaten while one is sitting at the table (as opposed to crawling around on the floor or playing); your hands are free to take an occasional bite yourself, making family meals possible; and it is much safer than seating your baby in front of you on a table - too many babies have had unfortunate falls during a moment of inattention.

If you are still bothered by the mess, try spreading newspapers or a plastic sheet under the high chair to catch whatever misses his mouth. And, of course, make sure you have plenty of bibs - look for ones that aren't uncomfortable or they'll be met with instant rejection. Some convenient designs feature snaps or velcro rather than ties to make putting them on and getting them off quicker and easier. Weather permitting, you can even feed your baby in nothing but a diaper - just plan on giving him a bath immediately afterwards!

Any food can be finger food!

Your baby's idea of finger foods is probably a lot different than yours. To him, anything is a finger food. He doesn't have to be ready for carrot sticks before he can start self-feeding. 

Even cereal can be conveyed to his mouth with his fingers - not very effectively, but some will get there! If your baby hasn't moved on to the more solid foods, try giving him a blob of cereal (or yogurt or whatever you're feeding him) in a bowl and let him feed himself at the same time that you feed him. You can even give him his own spoon. If baby stops feeding himself and starts throwing his food, it's time to call the meal to a halt. In no time he'll get the message that food is for eating, not for throwing.

Cups during meals

At mealtimes, baby should drink out of a cup rather than a bottle. A wide range of sippy cups - some of them almost entirely spill-proof - are available, making teaching baby to drink out of a cup easy. 

A lifetime of healthy eating

Most mothers worry too much about their babies not getting enough food. But most babies, if given the opportunity, will eat enough, satisfying their hunger without overstuffing themselves. When parents insist on feeding babies that aren't hungry, they bypass their child's hunger and teach him that he should eat more than he wants.

The best thing you can do for your child is provide lots of healthy food choices and let him eat until he has had enough, without putting pressure on him. 

Successful Eating Keys 

• Set a schedule for meal times - three meals and two snacks a day once your baby is relying on solid food - but accept that sometimes he won't be hungry.

• Offer fluids in a sippy cup at meals.

• Don't offer foods that are choking hazards, including: popcorn, hot dogs, whole grapes, nuts, firm fruits and vegetables, and hard candies.

• Don't drown your baby's appetite by giving milk before meals.

• Let him feed himself!