How has your child changed from when she was younger?
What do you like about this age?
What don’t you like?
The almost-toddler wants very much to feed herself! She seems like a baby, but acts like a toddler. Even if she seems small and clumsy, don’t try to feed her. She will fuss and not eat. She’s not being naughty or spoiled. She hasn’t stopped loving you. She just wants to feed herself. She knows she’s not a baby any more. Let her feed herself, but stay with her when she eats. You need to keep her company and keep her safe from choking.
Here is how your almost-toddler will eat:
- She wants to join in with family meals. Have food that she can pick up, chew, and swallow. Finger-food is any food that sticks together long enough to get it from the high chair tray to her mouth.
- She makes a mess, but not to be bad. She drops food, smears it around, and gets it all over her face. Put something on the floor to catch spills.
- She puts food in her mouth and takes it out — again and again. She gags, but keeps right on eating.
- She gags because food slips back on her tongue. Later, she will learn not to let that happen. If she can breathe, she is gagging, not choking.
- She might let you help her with the cup — or she might not. Put a small amount in her cup, protect the floor, and let her try. She will learn fast.
