So we all know Lamb doesn’t really eat. Blah, blah, blah. I’m trying my hardest not to dwell on it (easier said than done).
He’s now 15 months and Mr Independent. Walking, falling, getting up again. He needs his mummy less and less each day. 🙁
I’ve decided to try a new approach to dinner time. Feeding himself. You may all be thinking ‘he’s 15 months, why isn’t he already feeding himself?’ Well, he does. He picks up biscuits, crackers, raisins and feeds himself. He spoon feeds himself a yoghurt (ish). He’s been doing this for ages. But Jaxson doesn’t eat ‘proper’ meals. Spag Bol, shepherds pie, nope noneof that stuff. So we haven’t had a huge amount of opportunities to give him confidence with a spoon or fork. But this is going to change.
Most of you will know, you shouldn’t draw attention to a fussy eater. This is where I went wrong. I would constantly replace the food he was refusing, just to make sure he ate something. That was a big mistake. Jaxson was now in control. Controlling what he ate and when. Oops. So here I am (before he gets any older) fighting my maternal instincts to get food in his belly,and have begun offering him one choice each mealtime. If he eats something savoury, he gets a pudding. If he doesn’t dinner time is over. Even writing this is stressing me out.
As part of this new approach to feeding Jax, I began using the OXO tot divided plate and OXO tot Fork & Spoon set. I decided to put something different in each section of the plate. I want Jaxson to know what he is eating, and make his own decision whether to eat it. I’m not mixing and mashing anymore, not at the moment. I’ve spent way too long throwing baby food away that I’ve spent hours making. I want him to look at what is on his plate, study it, feel it, and decide if he wants to try it. So far this approach has proven positive. No, I’m not about to tell you Lamb is eat everything I put in front of him. We are still at the same stage we were a few months ago. But what has changed is his attitude at dinner time. Jaxson is now looking at his plate. He tells me if he wants the food by pushing the plate away, or by only eating something out of one section. A few weeks ago he wasn’t even looking at the food in front of him, it was literally invisible to him. Now he is at least considering eating it.
What I love about the plate is the rubber non-slip base. This is so useful when you have a fussy eater who’s first instinct is to push the plate away. The divided sections means you can control the portions you are offering. I think a lot of parents worry they aren’t feeding theirbaby enough, or maybe too much. Having sections in the plate can help you offer the right amount or at least monitor the right amount for your baby. (Appetites differ for every baby).
As you can see the green ring can be removed once your little once has mastered feeding themselves. Lamb still flicks food around the plate, so it will be staying on for him!
As well as the divided plate, I have also started giving Jaxson a spoon and fork every meal time. I want him to feel in control, but without taking my control. He’s not a baby anymore, he’s my little boy and he is growing up. I want more than anything for him to enjoy mealtimes with mummy and daddy. Honestly, I would bring back sleepless nights if it meant he would start eating.
The OXO tot spoon & fork set is fab. Really it is. It is shaped so Lamb can easily feed himself. A deep spoon head, and soft rubber handles. They are really helping his hand to mouth coordination. He’s also learning to stab his food. I was surprised to see him doing it so soon after introducing a fork. Mealtimes are becoming fun, which is exactly what they should be. Maybe once he starts enjoying playing with his food, maybe he will actually start eating it?!
The OXO tot feeding range does retail higher than other brands, but for the quality you get it is definitely worth it.
I bought the OXO tot sippy cup from Jojo Maman Baby for £8, which is the most I have spent on a cup for Jaxson, but buying that has made me realise you do have to splash out if you want high quality.
You can find out more about the OXO tot feeding range here.
Alex x
Why not have a read of my OXO tot sippy cup review, another great product from the OXO tot feeding range.