Using a spoon / Feeding self

Like some of the others on here, Elle is hardly eating anything. She gets really upset at meal times. I'm wondering, though not sure, if perhaps she wants to feed herself. However, she just throws the spoon away and tries to eat the food (including weetbix and milk) with her fingers. I'm not concerned about the mess but doing it this way she doesn't get much in before it all goes on her clothes and the floor.

She is a VERY picky eater so won't go near finger foods such as veges and meat so mushy stuff and a spoon is our only option (I keep trying bitsy stuff but usually end up pureeing everything as otherwise she won't eat it). She has sandwiches etc for lunch and they go down quite well. She used to love yoghurt but won't even have that at the moment.

At what age to kids usually start to feed themselves? Any tips for teaching her to use to the spoon?

Of course I could be wrong...she may just be very very very very picky with what she will and won't eat!

Give her a spoon while you're feeding her with another one. She might try and put the spoon in the bowl that you're holding. Maybe if she can see how you're doing it, she might want to give it a try herself.

I do the same as Mel. I feed Ashlee most of whatever it is and then give her the bowl and a spoon and let her go for it. She's not good at the scooping part of it, but at least she digs the spoon in the bowl then puts it to her mouth. I guess practice makes perfect and she absolutely loves it!!

James feeds himself pretty much now with spoon and hand he is getting better with the spoon all the time I think it just takes a bit of time and doesn't make to much of a mess either.

She sounds exactly the same as Ben and hes 18 mths so I wouldn't worry at all!!! Some toddlers do not like to eat! ( even naughty things like chocolate yogurt!)

He refuses to eat with a spoon and has to be fed his weetbix, and like Elle used to love yogurt but now has a mini fit as I make him eat it!

He is also the worlds worse most fussy eater who would happily never eat or eat bread..., so don't worry you are not alone.

I have started breaking up a multivitamin into his weetbix just to make sure hes having enough of the good stuff!, and adding omega oils for his brain!!

I'm hoping tis all just a phase and he will one day transform into a food lover... well we can hope, just try not to get stressed and if she will not eat then just leave it or give her some milk before bed to fill her tummy, good luck!

Elle sometimes puts the spoon to her mouth (upside down) but NEVER dips it in the bowl....strange.

Alyssa can't be bothered feeding herself with a spoon (bar a handful of times), and is quite happy to get me to do it for her while her hands are busy drawing with crayons or something like that.

She does like stabbing food with a fork though, and sometimes even hits the target so we have more success with that particular utensil.

i'm the same as lizzle here - the kids have had spoons from quite early. i wouldnt worry too much till she was over her ear infection...

James is only 5.5months and i give him the spoon or he gets angry at me. HAleigh was the same.
There maybe alot of extra mess but at least they have fun while they learn