Feeding themselves

I basically agree with this concept, however mainly only because it suits our lifestyle, and our expectations.  I don't know if it is for everybody, as some parents have kids that are really fussy eaters - and struggle to get them to eat the right foods, or even enough food. 

Our wee man got hungry at just over 5months... He saw a man eating at the airport, and went ballistic wanting the food.  When we got to my Mum's she got someone to bring over some baby rice - he couldn't get enough of it, and yanked the spoon off me... From then on, even though he only started with one meal per day - we both had a spoon... Since he was about 6mths old, I haven't bothered to feed him, he fed himself, and we helped him finish up neatly - if he let us help.  So basically he led the way... Whenever I take him anywhere, I notice that there are other parents with enough food to sink a ship.  All these little packs of fruit, sandwhiches, crackers, kiddy snacks etc - even when they are out for only a couple of hours, and they constantly offer their kids food... I only take what we would normally eat at that time, kids don't need to eat non-stop and pick and choose all day.

I usually offer the same food that we are eating, if he doesn't eat it, I will make him sit nicely at the table with us (he has done this since about 12mths.  After about an hour - I re-offer his food, and if he says no, then that's it until the next meal time, and again, he eats whatever we are eating - or not at all.  Eating is a social occasion as well as a time for sustenance, we eat out a fair bit with friends so we need to have a well mannered young man that isn't fussy.  I try to get through all the food groups early in the day when he is hungriest, so if he refuses dinner because he is a little tired - then it is no big deal.  We are lucky, we do have a little garbage guts - however we are also very strict about his manners when eating, and always have been.

Re: Winnie. 

Yes I guess "Lazyness" was a pretty harsh word of me to use.  I guess Im looking at a careers eye view.  For example.  I now have a 22month old in my care and have given him a spoon to eat with.  He couldn't do it, he tipped it upside down and didn't understand how it all works.  After a few days of allowing him to experiment and basically just let him go for it, he soon realised that if he held it the correct way that I was showing him, that he got more food.  The parent was shocked to see him eating with a spoon.  She says to me "I always just feed him, I guess its just lazyness on my part"  I get these comments from lots of parents.  Yes parents are under pressure, but if these parents have such devotion for their children they need to let them develop and use their self help skills.   I do not intend to direct my opion to a particular person, but I will say how I see things. Regards and happy feeding

Ps I am new to this so please excuse me if posted in wrong place.

Oh I loved feed times, letting Roo and Piglet get messy. It would get everywhere, hair eyes, ears a little in the mouth though. They used to laugh and giggle so much and get fun out of seeing food drip on the floor. We would then play splosh in the bath. I think feed time is just another learning curve and we have to relax and go with the flow and make it as much fun as possible. However I dont think that worrying about mess is lazyness. I think a lot of parents are under preassure to keep on top, and the devistation with baby led feeding, can be just one more mess to tire already tired parents. Parenting the messy way can be very exhausting.

Luv Winnie.xx

here is a link to a site that gives a good description of baby led weaning....sounds wonderful to me!