How To Introduce Cutlery When Weaning Your Baby
Regardless of whether you’re following the baby led weaning (BLW) or traditional weaning route, it’s never too early to start your little one on cutlery set perfect for their size.
Tips for introducing cutlery
Have the right cutlery.
We at EasyTots launched the worlds’ first made to measure EasyMat suction plate designed specifically for the Ikea High Chair. The best part? It works perfectly with our hugely popular cutlery for weaning your baby which makes it perfect for any mum looking to introduce cutlery to their baby.
Now that you have the equipment sorted, let’s get to the things you need to remember when introducing cutlery to the baby:
1. Start with a spoon
Most babies find that spoons are the easiest piece of cutlery to get the hang of, as the scooping action is easier than the stabbing motion required from the fork. Scooping requires less pressure and force from the wrist so they’ll get the hang of a spoon much more quickly and not become frustrated from struggling with a fork straight away.
Make sure the cutlery is a really bright colour combination to make them attractive to the eye and capture the interest of little ones to encourage them to pick up the cutlery and explore it. The curved handles should also fit neatly into tiny palms and bend slightly at the mouthpiece to help guide the food from hand to mouth. Our proprietary forks and spoons are designed to do just that.
2. Start them early
Offer cutlery to your little one as early as possible, so that it is available for them to explore when they are ready. Simply place onto your mat or highchair tray alongside the food your little one has and allow them to ignore or play with it as they wish!
3. Make meal-times a family affair
Wherever possible, eat with your little one so that they can see you eating and learn from watching what you do and how you use cutlery. Your little one will soon learn that they should hold the cutlery by the handle and guide it to their mouth to taste the contents – you’ll be amazed at what they learn from copying you!
4. Consider pre-loading
Feel free to offer pre-loaded spoons if you wish. You can scoop a little of whatever food you’ve offered, and place it onto the mat or highchair tray. When your baby chooses to explore it, there is something for them to taste on the end to help them get the idea.
5. Progress to a fork
As your little one becomes more confident with the spoon, you could start to offer the fork so that they can explore this new piece of equipment! Again, allow them to watch you stab your own food and enjoy it. They’ll soon master this new action too!
6. Relax!
Remember that every child is different – some love using cutlery early on and others prefer to learn by feeling the textures directly with their hands. Take their lead and let them explore in their own time – they’ll be sat using their exciting bright new cutlery before you know it!
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