Introduction:
Babies start exploring foods when they are introduced to solid foods, also known as complementary feeding from six months of age. As they grow, they start observing various food types. When babies self-feed, they improve their motor skills, become independent, and know the food they eat. Self-feeding habits develop between 12 to 18 months of age, which include holding and drinking water from a cup, introducing the food into the mouth using a spoon or fingers, and slowly gaining control over it.
Why Is Self-Feed Important?
The three reasons why self-feed is essential are:
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The child learns to be independent. This skill is required during the later stage of life.
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The child’s fine motor skills (function involving specific movement of the muscles to perform a particular task) develop gradually with self-feeding. During this stage, the child might spill their food, spit and make a mess, but all these help them shape their fine motor skills. They also learn how much food is to be kept in the mouth at a time and how to chew and swallow.
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The child gets acquainted with the food’s taste, texture, smell, and temperature. They learn that solid foods like apples can be picked up, not milk or curd.
When Is the Correct Time to Introduce Self-Feeding Habits?
Once a child is introduced to solid food, they may show interest in self-feeding by grabbing the spoon or taking the food from the plate. They usually develop this habit by one year of age but can be a messy eater. However, by two years of age, they would have gained sufficient control and sometimes feel bad if they spill the food on their dress or if food sticks to their fingers. Some kids take time to learn and can be messy eaters for up to three years.
What Is Considered Normal When Children Self-Feed?
The following are considered normal when a kid self-feeds:
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Creating a mess while eating.
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Holding the plate and spoon and waving those up.
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Flipping the plate and spilling food around it or on the table.
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Spreading the food around the mouth.
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Refuse a particular food that the kids used to like previously.
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Avoid certain foods based on their color and texture.
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Eating only specific foods.
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Self-feed only with a spoon or a fork.
How to Encourage Self-Feed in Children?
The healthy eating habits are:
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Serve an Appropriate Amount: The food must be served in proportions based on their age. If the child is one year old, then one tablespoon of every food must be served. If they are two years old, two tablespoons must be served, and so on.
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Be Patient: When the child makes a mess while eating, it is common for parents to become impatient, but allowing them to learn in their way is important.
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Allowing Them to Lend a Helping Hand: Encouraging them to pick foods of their choice from the shop, allowing them to help in small ways while cooking, and motivating them to serve food on their plate themselves, can increase their interest in eating.
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Eye-Catching Foods: Preparing the foods attractively and introducing various colors can motivate them to pick and try the food themselves.
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Positive Reinforcement: When a child is less messy than the previous day or if they eat new, healthy food, they must be appreciated. This inspires them to improvise and be better the next day.
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Setting a Good Example: When parents or the caretaker eats alongside the kid, they observe and learn how to eat without spilling and know what to eat.
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Eating With Other Children: When children are encouraged to eat with other children or siblings, they observe their eating behavior and the types of healthy foods they eat. They would also like to follow the same, but parents or caretakers should refrain from making comparison with other children.
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Schedule the Time: Scheduling proper meal time can help them get accustomed to the routine and prepare them to eat simultaneously.
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Child-Sized Utensils: Serving kids with small utensils and cutting the food into small pieces can enable them to handle the cutlery and the food easily.
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Own Choice: Kids can be served based on their choices from the variety of foods on the table. It should be kept in mind that only small portions should be served. Otherwise, it might create an aversion. The kids can be served again if they ask for more.
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Stop When Full: When the toddler shows signs such as throwing the food or spoon, saying ‘no’ when asked to eat more, or pushing the plate away, the child must not be forced.
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Engage in the Conversation: Rather than making the child focus only on eating, they can be engaged in conversations with the family to observe and learn good self-feeding habits.
How Should a Child Be Trained to Self-Feed?
The child can be trained in the following ways:
1. Start With Finger Foods: Finger foods are soft, small pieces of food that can be held by the toddler and are easy to chew. These foods include mashed banana, potato, sweet potato, or mango. The finger foods should be kept at a considerable distance from the child, so they can easily pick and eat them. Serving finger foods in small portions can prevent them from spilling and can be refilled once the child finishes or wishes to have more. Parents or caretakers should be vigilant when children self-feed and must not allow them to take food while lying down or playing. Few foods like raw carrots or nuts can cause choking and should be avoided. The child must be encouraged to eat in an upright position.
2. Using a Spoon and a Fork: The child will not know how to hold a spoon, but it can be taught earlier as this helps improve their motor skills. The first morsel of food should be placed on the spoon, and the child must be asked to put it in their mouth. The spoon must be easy to hold and soft without any sharp edges. The parent or the caretaker can demonstrate how to eat using the spoon and ask them to repeat the same. The kid must be appreciated if they eat correctly.
3. Messy Baby: Messy eating, spilling, and playing with the food is quite normal. This can be minimized by:
- Putting a bib around the baby’s neck.
- Cut the food into small pieces.
- Allowing them to use their hands if they would like to.
- Spread a sheet below the chair.
- Using suction plates so that they do not move when picked up by the baby.
What Should Not Be Done During Self-Feeding?
The following should not be done:
Empty the Plate: The child should not be forced to eat more and asked to empty the plate. This might overload them, and they can develop an aversion to eating. They might even puke at times. Encouraging them to inform the parents/caretakers when they feel full enables the child to learn about their body and appreciate the feeling of being full or hungry.
Punishments and Rewards: Scolding the child when they spill or litter the place, punishing or beating them can make their mealtimes scary. They should also not be given any rewards, like offering chocolate or ice cream if they empty the plate, eat more, or do not spill. This makes the child always expect a reward for eating and increases their liking towards unhealthy, sugary foods.
Do Not React: When the parent or the caretaker reacts by picking up the food thrown by the toddler, they might consider it a game and repeat it. It is best to stay calm, ignore, and clean up the mess later. It helps in a child's development.
What Are the Most Prevalent Feeding Challenges in Children, and What Are the Solutions to Try?
Consuming Only Specific Food Types:
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Provide finger snacks. Since they let kids feed themselves, they are typically more well-liked.
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As parents, they can lead by example by consuming a wide range of meals and refraining from dictating to their children what they enjoy and do not like.
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Serve the kid's favorite dish in moderation and other things one would want to introduce.
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Keep introducing new foods to the child, but do not force, entice, or bribe them to consume them. When allowed to sample a new dish twice a week for up to twenty times, most kids will give it an attempt.
Disliking Vegetables:
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Vegetables are not always required to be lush and green. Try non-leafy vegetables like corn, cauliflower, button mushrooms, pumpkin, carrots, and others that are yellow, white, or orange in color.
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Instead of serving veggies on their own, incorporate them into meals and sauces.
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Serve sliced cucumber or cherry tomatoes alongside fruit skewers for older kids.
Unwilling to Chew:
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Parents should watch to see if their child has the oral motor abilities required for chewing.
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As they are too accustomed to consuming blended or finely chopped foods, children may not chew. To correct this, gradually improve the food texture, such as making the kid's porridge less pureed or reducing the cooking time.
Eating Slowly and Holding Food in the Mouth:
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Make sure the serving sizes are reasonable. Try giving the child a smaller piece at first and then a larger one once they finish their meal.
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Reduce the amount of distractions, such as TV, toys, and pacing.
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Avoid giving the kid milk, snacks, or beverages one-hour preceding meals to ensure the kid is truly hungry.
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The best course of action would be to prevent this from developing in the first place, as it can be difficult to break an ingrained eating pattern in a child.
Young Children or Toddlers Want to Select Their Food:
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Instead of asking the children what they want to eat, parents can give them two choices and ask them which one they prefer.
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The adults need to be persistent in the instruction they provide the child since parents are typically strict while grandparents may be more forgiving.
When to Consult a Doctor?
A pediatrician (child specialist) can be consulted when:
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There is poor growth and development of the child.
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Continuous refusal of food and appearing tired.
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Drinking only milk and nothing else.
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Preferring only soft foods and having difficulty chewing.
Conclusion
Self-feeding is the best way to improve a child’s eating habits. They become aware of the food’s type, amount, texture, and taste. Being patient and allowing the kids to explore the food themselves is a great way to enhance their eating skills. They will gradually gain control and learn to eat without spilling or creating a mess. Parents or caretakers should be supportive and encouraging and enjoy the child’s activities as the child traverses through each phase.
