I'm Feeding Myself

Materials You Need: Small pieces of food that your baby enjoys; a place for your baby to sit with food in front of the baby.

What You Can Do Together: This is the age that many babies really begin feeding themselves. Your baby probably isn’t using a spoon yet, but fingers work, too! If you have not started yet, begin by putting some pieces of tasty food where your baby can reach them. She may immediately pick one up and put it in her mouth. If so, show your excitement (“You ate that all by yourself!” or “Did the fruit taste delicious?”). You could also nibble a piece yourself, showing how much you enjoyed it. Or put one piece in your baby’s mouth and see if she does the same.

What Your Child is Learning: Depending on your cultural traditions and your child’s development, you may continue occasionally feeding your baby. However, encouraging self-feeding strengthens your baby’s coordination and skill in using her fingers. These are skills that, years later, help her beginning to draw and write. When you talk to your baby during this time, you’re also encouraging language development (for example, names of foods).