As parents, we are always excited and nervous about starting new things! Feeding little ones can be an extra exciting and nerve-wracking time! “When should we start with a spoon?” “How much should they be eating?” “When is the right time to feed them during the day?” “How do I know if they are doing okay?” These are a few of the common questions we get asked as Speech Language Pathologists about starting with spoon feeding. Below are a few simple answers!
“When should we start feeding with a spoon?”
It is always important to check with the child’s pediatrician before starting with spoon feeding. Typically, children are ready to start between the ages of 4-6 months. Children show us different skills to show us they may be ready to start eating from a spoon. The child should be able to sit up in a highchair with some support. We do not want them sliding down or sideways when they are eating. When presented with a spoon, they will show us they are ready by opening their mouth to feed them. If they are not interested in the spoon or opening on their own, they are likely not ready at this time. It is okay if they are not ready the first time you try! Take a few days off and then try again!
“How much should they be eating?”
Parents always worry that if their child does not eat a whole bowl of food, they will be hungry. When they are just starting out, let them be the guide to how much they eat. If they only have 1 bite and then turn away, they are showing us that it was enough for that day. You can try again the next day! If they keep opening when the spoon is presented, you can keep feeding them until they stop! There will be meals where they eat more and meals where they eat less. They should still be getting milk on top of the cereal, which is what will help them continue to grow. At this point, the food is for fun/taste, not necessarily for nutrition yet!
“When is the right time to feed them during the day?”
Each child is different on when the best time will be to feed them. It is important to give yourself and them time while they are learning. So, if mornings are rushed and busy, then try in the afternoon when you have time to sit and focus on what you are doing! If you have more time in the morning, that may be a better time for your family! It is helpful if they are hungry, but not starving before they are spoon fed. They are more motivated when they are hungry, but if they are too hungry, they will likely get frustrated during the feeding if it takes too long. Try a few different times to see what works best for you!
“There are so many different spoons out there! Which one is best?”
When walking up and down the feeding aisle, there are so many choices it can be overwhelming! The brand does not matter as much as the shape of the spoon when starting. It is much easier for babies to pull purees off of a spoon that has a shallow bowl than a spoon that has a deep bowl. It requires more work for them to pull their lip down into the deep bowl, and we want to set them up for success, so a shallow bowl works best!
“How do I know if they are doing okay?”
There are different signs to look for to show us while they are eating if they are truly ready for spoon feeding. If you hear a lot of coughing or gagging, stop feeding them and try again a few days later. If you notice frequent eye watering or other signs of distress (crying, turning away, pushing the spoon away, etc.) stop and try again a few days later. If you notice them continue to push their tongue our of their mouth and spit the food out, stop and try again a few days later. This does necessarily mean they are going to need feeding therapy, it could just mean they are not ready. If these responses continue over a long period of time and they are older than 6-8 months and still having difficulty, you can have them evaluated by an SLP to get some support and tricks to help!
It is important to also note that starting with a formula or milk they already know can help with the transition. When starting to introduce flavors, keep it simple with 1 food flavor at a time and use that same flavor for 3-4 days to watch for allergies. If there is an allergy and multiple foods have been introduced at the same time, it gets difficult to know what truly caused the reaction!
If you have any questions regarding your own child’s readiness or spoon-feeding skills, do not hesitate to reach out and ask us questions! Happy feeding!
-Amber-