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My four older boys are all about 2-3 years apart, and while they definitely kept me busy when they were younger, it was managable. Now having kids only one year apart like I do now is a whole new ball game that I’m still getting used to. Just last week while I was working, Joseph, Olivia and Lauren were all crying at the same time and for all different reasons. It’s probably comical to watch me go into total mom mode where nothing phases me.
To be honest, the only thing that used to really phase me was when my older kids first started to eat on their own and kept making a huge mess. It drove me so nuts to watch the food hit the floor, or even worse fall on their clothes, that I would just end up feeding them myself to avoid the aftermath, a total disservice to a curious and learning toddler. I’ve wisened up since those days and I now keep Huggies® One & Done® Refreshing Wipes handy and I also have come up with a few tips and tricks to encourage toddlers to eat on their own. Scroll to read my five ways to encourage toddlers to eat on their own.
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Five Ways To Encourage Toddlers to Feed Themselves
1. Let them pick a special spoon and plate set. Toddlers love to be in charge and when you allow them to pick their own utensils it will encourage them to feed themselves.
2. Allow them to make a mess. I’ve learned that if I’m armed with Huggies® One & Done® Refreshing Wipes Refreshing Wipes (we buy them at Sam’s Club through their amazing Pick-Up service click for here more info), the #1 branded wipe with EZ Pull® Dispensing that allows you to get one wipe at a time, it will make the clean up easier for me. They’re also thicker and come with a refreshing Cucumber and Green Tea scent with patented Triple Clean Layers that really get the job done! And my favorite part: Their handy soft packs are great for wherever you go! Seriously, they’re in my car AND my husbands car, my purse, and there’s even a pack that I keep in my bathroom. Huggies® One & Done® Refreshing Wipes are a necessity, no matter the mess or occasion.
3. Have a designated eating shirt. My kids can’t possibly be the only ones who hate wearing a bib! I have a bunch of hand-me-downs and shirts I’ve bought at thrift stores and use them just for dinner.
4. Keep an inexpensive box of garbage bags and place one underneath their high chair and toss them after they eat. You can find a good variety of sizes for only a dollar.
5. Last, but most definitely not least, turn off the TV and have fun with them.
Five Ways To Encourage Toddlers to Feed Themselves
Let’s face it, messes happen. Big ones. Small ones. And all the sizes in between. But sooner or later, you have to look at that mess and smile because they’re only little once and it goes by so very fast!
Hi Jasmine,
All five ways are amazing think. Those 5 will be very helpful for all moms. Really wipes are amazing ! Thanks a lot for sharing with us!
Love your articles and your cute blog 🙂
I have a mom confession. My second oldest, who is now 4, splatted a bunch of puree on my kitchen ceiling and it’s still there! The ceiling is too high and I can’t get it even with a chair! lol Toddlers certainly are capable of anything while eating. I agree, wipes are amazing, I use them to clean my house along, too! 🙂 #client
Great ideas here. My toddlers always wanted to feed themselves. It was just a matter of getting the food all the way to their mouths.
I had to come to grips with the mess too! Love the idea of an eating shirt. My toddler hates bibs and refuses to wear them and I always have the wipes on hand!
I don’t think we ever had an issue with them feeding themselves. As long as we let them do it on their own, they were happy!
It’s been so long I forget how or when my son started to feed himself. Soon, maybe I will get to go thru it again with grand babies.