20 month old won't use cutlery
4 answers /
Last post: 10/02/2024 at 3:01 pm
Hi,
My son is 20 months and has no interest in using cutlery .. he's opts for his hands. He's also going through the stage of throwing absolutely everything!
He has no interest in a spoon or a fork he just throws them on the floor.
I also forgot to add that he will not allow you to feed him also, he will grab the spoon and throw it.
Any advice appreciated please:)
Hi Jade,
I'm Loraine, one of the Netmums' Parent Supporters.
Thank you for posting your concerns in our toddlers board.
You may be surprised to hear that it is very common for 20 month old babies to want to use their fingers while they are experimenting with food. The experts will tell you that it's because they're more likely to 'hit' than 'miss' with their fingers, so I'm sure it's nothing for you to be overly worried about. Just keep offering and demonstrating how to eat with a fork/spoon and eventually, your toddler will want to try.
Hopefully, some of our lovely netmums' community will drop by soon and share their experiences with you, but in the meantime, I thought you might find this link helpful to read through: https://www.babycenter.com/toddler/1-year-old/20-month-old_40007632
Best Wishes
Loraine x
As he's nearly 2 it's quite normal my kids who are 5 and 6 still use their fingers sometimes lol. Try going shop and get him pick his own little set of forks etc snd use rewards some it's easy eat with some it's easier pick up with hands lol. When he goes pre school he will get told off for using hands and copy everyone else. It's not a big issue at this age x
I think it’s quite normal, mine has just turned 2 and will opt for fingers first.
Personally I think it’s to do with baby led weening, so from when a baby first starts eating it’s a lot of finger foods, carrot sticks, red pepper stick, cucumber sticks, breadsticks, and it’s only when we add runnier food like weetabix and milk or yogurt, is when she starts using a spoon
