Encouraging self feeding

As your child's hand to eye co-ordination matures, she will find it easier to feed herself. Finger foods will become an increasingly important part of your baby's feeding. You should also encourage baby feeding themselves using a spoon or fork as soon as she is able to hold one. It will be messy at first and she may well end up biting the wrong end but eventually the food will actually go to its intended destination.

Bowls that have a non slip base are a good idea as it means that your baby is less likely to push the bowl around the tray in frustration as she tries to get a spoonful of food. Serve food in colourful bowls and plates and try to make the food look attractive using contrasting colours and cutting food into interesting shapes.

If more of her food ends up on the floor or on her lap than in her mouth you could use a two-spoon system. Give her a spoon to hold so she can attempt to feed herself and use another spoon yourself to get some of the food into her mouth.