Baby Self Feeding
Learning to self-feed is an exciting and motivating time in a child’s life. It’s also an important skill that positively impacts many aspects of a child’s development. Two important points, every parent needs to take care before allowing your baby to self-feed.
Teach Baby how to chew
Babies don’t need to learn how to swallow, but they do need to learn how to chew.
Fact is babies don’t need teeth to start solid food. The teeth that we use to chew, our molars, often don’t come in until after baby’s first birthday. Prior to that, babies can munch and grind with their gums. Make it dramatic! Capture bay's attention and then use big hands/ actions to show them how you open and close your mouth while you chew. This way your baby will naturally learn from you to chew the food with their gums which will make the self-feeding process simple and safe.
Safe Swallowing - Safe Eating
Upright positioning is important during eating because gravity is on your side for safe swallowing! During the early days of practicing eating, the front of the mouth is where food should be. This helps the baby develop a sensory map of the mouth and makes spitting food out easy! If food isn't ready to be swallowed (isn’t adequately chewed) it can cause gagging. Food at the front of the mouth helps baby learns to spit it out. A baby that is reclined or laying down has gravity pulling the food further back in the mouth and that's not ideal for safety or skill development.⠀⠀
Strong sitting also supports the respiratory system. Stable and enough oxygenation (breathing) is essential for safe swallowing and learning. When babies are leaning, they are not positioned to take full breathes which reduces comfort, learning and disturbs successful participation and endurance.
Proper breathing techniques also support safe swallowing!
Teach at the Right time
Self- feeding using the fingers typically begins around 6-7 months old when children start eating solid foods and show a growing interest in trying foods using their hands. By 12-14 months old, children take on more of an active role using spoons and cups on their own to feed themselves. Regardless of the method for self-feeding, when offered these experiences at the right time in life, children can learn these vital lifelong skills.
Follow your Baby's Leads
Feeding Baby is not a "One-sized fits all" situation. This isn't classic "Baby Led Weaning . Where baby should hold the food independently. Other way, you can try follow your baby's leads and make her enjoy herself and allow her to feel safe in parents arms.
It's ok not to follow the strict rules with feeding. Some babies who refuse to eat in a high chair will explore food in your lap. Follow your baby's lead, be flexible and remember that feeding is a social activity.
Make it Fun and be Flexible
There is not one right way and it's ok to have fun, follow babies lead and be flexible.
Mess is fun so baby learns mealtime can be enjoyable. Baby learns more about sensory properties of the food when they touch and squeeze it. Babies learn how to self-feed faster and more efficiently when we let them practice. You avoid power struggles trying to keep them clean. Touching the food helps the brain know what to expect when it goes in the mouth. Constant wiping of baby's face, mouth and hands can make mealtime a negative experience for baby. It's a fact that your baby will enjoy his meal only when his hands remain free on the food.
Even if no food gets in their belly, the mess signifies all the learning that took place and of course you get the very best pictures, videos and memories to share!