feeding nightmares - 14 month old

[Ole]

I just wanted reassurance really that my 14 month old is going through a phase, and that it will pass quickly! Mealtimes have become a no-win situation for me - he refuses to be fed so I let him feed himself, but with cutlery it is a very hit and miss situation (about two thirds of food end up down his front), and if I encourage him with finger foods he starts playing with it. The few times he does manage to stick something in his mouth he chews for a bit and then pulls it out and hands it back to me. Lovely! So he ends up hungry and I end up fed up! Can't wait for this phase to be over!

[poppy]

Oh my goodness, I KNOOOWWW!!I am going through the same thing with my 13 month old - very, very, frustrating! No advice to impart but just wanted to add my sympathies and reassurance that you're not the only one. I am trying really hard not to let it become a battle of wills - if he ends up eating nothing but three yoghurts for supper then so be it! (Yoghurt being the only thing he'll let me feed to him at the moment). He's not wasting away so not too worried but I too will be very glad when this phase is over!

[Ruth_Baldock]

Yep us too! Only acceptable foods are: yoghurt, biscuits, ellas kitchen fruit pouches, special k (mummy's breakfast).

[Fuschia]

It's a normal stage. Mixture of urge for independence, and in terms of evolution, once a child can walk it needs to be cautious about what it puts in its mouth, so it's natural for a toddler to insist rigidly on "food" vs "non food"

[Joella]

Echo Ruth_Baldock - our 13 mth old daughter has exactly the same diet as Baby Baldock, she branched out to Cheerios today, so that's progress! Remember our 5 yr old going through the same stage and she now is one of the best eaters I know, so don't stress.