Hi My baby is around 9 months old,but he is not eating with his hand
He takes food in hand and throws it or plays with it
I am trying to give him finger food daily but he doesn't put food in his mouth
Is it concerning or what should I do ?

Question

Hi My baby is around 9 months old,but he is not eating with his hand
He takes food in hand and throws it or plays with it 
I am trying to give him finger food daily but he doesn't put food in his mouth
Is it concerning or what should I do ?

Accepted Answer

It's not uncommon for a 9-month-old baby to explore food by playing with it rather than eating it with their hands. At this stage, babies are developing their fine motor skills and learning about textures, shapes, and tastes. Here are some suggestions to encourage your baby to eat with their hands:

### Strategies to Encourage Self-Feeding
1. **Model Eating Behavior**: Show your baby how to eat by using your own hands to pick up and eat food. Babies learn a lot by watching their parents.
2. **Make It Fun**: Turn mealtime into a fun experience. Use bright, colorful, and soft finger foods that are easy to grasp and chew.
3. **Patience and Persistence**: Keep offering finger foods consistently. It can take multiple exposures before a baby becomes comfortable with self-feeding.
4. **Variety and Texture**: Offer a variety of finger foods with different textures. Soft pieces of cooked vegetables, small pieces of fruit, cheese sticks, and small pieces of bread can be good options.
5. **Positive Reinforcement**: Praise and encourage your baby when they make attempts to feed themselves, even if they don’t succeed every time.
6. **Minimize Distractions**: Ensure that mealtime is calm and focused. Turn off the TV and put away toys so your baby can concentrate on eating.

### Examples of Finger Foods
- Soft-cooked vegetables (e.g., carrots, sweet potatoes, peas)
- Small pieces of soft fruit (e.g., banana, avocado, pear)
- Soft cheese cubes
- Small pieces of cooked pasta
- Scrambled eggs
- Toast or bread strips

### Developmental Considerations
- **Normal Development**: It’s normal for babies to play with food as part of their sensory development. Learning to eat independently is a gradual process.
- **Motor Skills**: Fine motor skills develop over time. Encourage practice without pressuring your baby.
- **Safety**: Ensure foods are cut into small, manageable pieces to prevent choking.

### When to Seek Advice
If your baby shows no interest in self-feeding over an extended period, or if you have concerns about their overall development or eating habits, it’s a good idea to consult your pediatrician. They can provide guidance and check for any underlying issues.

Remember, every baby develops at their own pace, and what’s most important is creating a positive and stress-free mealtime environment.

Hi My baby is around 9 months old,but he is not eating with his hand He takes food in hand and throws it or plays with it I am trying to give him finger food daily but he doesn't put food in his mouth Is it concerning or what should I do ?