Feeding your Toddler

[harleysneak]

My daughter is almost 14 months old and we are having a terrible time getting her to eat. She won't let us feed her hardly anything. She can't use a spoon very well yet, and usually ends up playing with the food when trying to use one. When we give her finger foods, she usually ends up throwing them on the floor immediately. About the only things we can get her to eat are a plum, a banana, a little pasta and, occassionally some pizza. Does anyone else have any suggestions for getting her to keep her food on her tray and in her mouth, not on the floor?

[Sister]

How often are you feeding her throughout the day? Does she snack on things like crackers? How often/how many? Do you put just a little food on her plate at one time, or alot? Does she only sit in her highchair for meals?

One thing to remember is that the amount of food a toddler needs to eat to be full and thrive is much, much less than you or I would imagine! She won't starve herself, but I understand your desire to have mealtimes be less frustrating.

[feline]

I think a 14 month old baby is not old enough to use spoon while eating. Perhaps teach her/him when a little older, say 2 years old but you still familiarize him/her now. Also, snacks closes the appetite during mealtime.

[harleysneak]

She has 3 meals and 2 snacks throughout the day, generally that is. She snacks on various items, fruits, crackers, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, the occassional cookie, just to name a few. We give her just a little at a time and yes, she only uses her highchair for meals. I think I answered all the questions.
She did do a little bit better tonight and fed herself green bean dices for dinner while she let me feed her some spaghetti. There are good days and not so good ones, but she seems to be getting better.
As for not using a spoon, yes we are just trying to get her a little familiar with it, but it seems like I am running out of ideas for finger foods that work well as meals.