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32 years
Hi, My girl is 1 year and 4 months old. She refuses to eat anything from a spoon unless it is mashed AND when distracted. I have tried everything to make her eat solid food. any recommendations? thx
Jul 10, 2013

Dr. Judy Matta Pediatrics
Your baby refusing to eat when you try to spoon feed her can be frustrating..Relax..your little baby is growing up and refusing to eat from a spoon is just part her natural progression to feeding herself.
By 12 months, most children will want to feed themselves. It is around this age range that babies really begin to become more aware of themselves and what they want and assert their independence by refusing to be spoon fed is just another milestone. They may try to grab the spoon away from you or bat at the spoon as it comes close to their mouths. Many babies will simply clamp their lips shut and refuse to open up for a bite.
Offer your baby a bowl and a spoon to encourage her. Mix up her meal as usual and let her try to feed herself. It can be messy at first, but eventually she will manage to find her mouth.
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