6 Signs Your Baby Is Ready to Use Utensils

Babies are total champs when it comes to feeding. They figured out how to eat all their favorite foods on their own using their adorable little fingers. cute Make sure you’re ready for the next level: cookware.

So when should babies start using eating utensils? Well, it all depends on the situation. Using eating utensils is an important step for babies and toddlers who are developing fine motor skills. You don’t want to frustrate your child by being too early, but you also don’t want to wait too long. Even something as simple as spoon-feeding can help your child learn and grow in so many ways. “Using utensils is an essential skill for developing fine motor skills while fostering independence, social skills, and confidence during eating,” says Dr. Angela Valdez-Huizar, a pediatrician at Phoenix Children’s in Arizona. “It’s also a stepping stone to other fine motor skills, like holding a pencil and writing.”

Dr. Erin Adonino, a pediatrician at Wilmington Health in North Carolina, agrees. “Using a tableware to feed is one of your baby’s first big steps towards becoming independent,” she says. “It also improves hand-eye coordination, which leads to spatial awareness. Self-feeding also helps develop sensory processing skills, as they experiment with different textures, tastes, and sensations in their hands as well as in their mouths.”

Signs your baby is ready to use eating utensils

If you have any doubts, When should babies start using tableware?Dr. Valdez-Huizar recommends monitoring several important behavioral signals, including:

1. they sit without support
2. they are constantly reaching for objects
3. they have good athletic ability
4. Increased interest in family mealtimes
5. they open their mouths expecting food
6. Able to grasp objects with thumb and index finger

Dr. Jenelle Ferry, a pediatrician and director of feeding, nutrition and infant development at Pediatrics Medical Group in Florida, says learning the scissor grip, or the ability to grasp small objects with the thumb and index finger, is a “key milestone” in using the device. If your baby has not yet fully mastered this skill, he may not be ready to handle a spoon.

When should babies use forks and spoons?

Dr. Addonio typically recommends starting with spoons and introducing eating utensils around 10 to 12 months of age. Spoons are circular and made to scoop, making for a more intuitive entry point. “It’s so dirty at first!” she warns. “However, as your baby learns the concept of a spoon and uses it more often, his fine motor skills will develop further and he will be able to use it proficiently by the time he is 18 to 24 months old.”

Once your baby gets the hang of the spoon, you can introduce the fork. Dr. Addonio generally advises introducing a fork at around 15 to 18 months, but if your child is having success using a spoon, you can start closer to 12 months.

Of course, every baby is different. It’s perfectly fine to introduce tableware early if your child seems interested. Pediatric occupational therapist Kelly Willmott recommends introducing devices as early as six to nine months. “I encourage parents to give their child a spoon when they start eating purees with a spoon so that they get used to eating the spoon at mealtimes and can spontaneously bring it to their mouth and explore,” she says. Put a spoon in a bowl and see what you do with it. “The goal at this stage is not mastery, but touch and exploration. By getting little hands to hold tools and experiment early on, you’re laying the foundation for them to be independent and feed themselves in the future.”

What to do before installing cooking equipment

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and your child at first. Give them control and let them focus on making it fun.

Wilmot points out that you should avoid overloading your child’s high chair tray with food too quickly. “Give them a few bites to fill them up, then offer them the utensils while you sit and engage with them,” she advises. “If there is too much food in the tray, they will often finger feed or overcrowd.”

Choosing the right spoon or fork

There’s a reason why so many companies make tableware for babies and toddlers. It’s much easier (and safer) to get started than everyday silverware. “Choose cookware that is lightweight and free of sharp edges,” says Dr. Ferry. “The short, wide handle makes it easy for little hands to grasp.” She suggests silicone spoons as a good first choice because they’re “gentle on fragile gums and made from non-toxic materials.” (Bonus: They also come in handy during teething.) And be sure to have a few sets on hand. Babies love to drop and throw dishes.

Wilmot also notes that the size and shape of the bowl can affect the experience. “Scooping in a flat bowl can be difficult,” she says. Tall containers, such as yogurt cups, may be easier for children to dip into.

What about knives? Don’t worry for a while. “Children typically do not develop the ability to cut food with a knife and fork until school age, between ages 5 and 7,” says Dr. Valdez Huizar.

The perfect food to introduce utensils

Dr. Ferry recommends starting with thicker foods that are easier to scoop. “Yogurt, mashed avocado, and mashed sweet potato are easy to spoon on,” she says. Start with a small amount and add more as needed.

When it’s time for forks, Dr. Addonio prefers “soft foods that are easy to prick,” such as banana slices, cooked sweet potatoes or carrots, cut pancakes, and cooked shell pasta. “I think it’s okay for babies to eat anything on their plate, as long as it’s presented in a way that doesn’t cause choking,” she says. “Now let’s have them play with the tools and see what happens!”

If your child “is not able to consistently use” tableware by about 18 months, Dr. Valdez-Huizar recommends calling your pediatrician. They may refer you to an occupational therapist who can help assess your situation and come up with a plan.