Strategies and advice
Expect messy eating when starting out. Practise feeding when time is not so pressured.
Consider the size and shape of cutlery. Try using child-size cutlery or adapted cutlery with larger handles for children who have a loose or weak grip.
Make sure the bowl is secure using either a non-slip mat or a damp cloth underneath the bowl.
Consider the child’s sitting posture. Preferably, their feet should be supported. Make sure the table is a good height for the child and add a cushion if needed.
Try to eat with your child when you can so they have the opportunity to copy you.
Using a spoon
Introduce the spoon between 9 and 12 months. At first, your child will play with it but eventually they will make an association between the utensil and eating.
When your child is happy to hold the spoon and place it in their mouth, help to guide them in holding the loaded spoon. Assist them by supporting either at the elbow, if they can hold the spoon, or by using your hand over theirs to feel the movements they need to make. Gradually aim to give less and less help. They may need you to place the spoon in their hand to make the correct grip at this stage.
Allow your child to finish off what’s left in the bowl to practise self-feeding if you do not want all the food spilled.
Give sticky foods that will easily stick to the spoon, like porridge, mashed potato, puddings, etc.
Practise using the spoon in play by letting your child feed you or their dolls or teddies.
Using an open cup
Start by using a cup with two handles to help your child hold the cup steady. After this, you can use a cup with one handle and then a beaker that your child holds with both hands.
To help your child drink well, use thick drinks like smoothies or milkshakes. This gives them more time to get ready. Only fill the cup halfway or less to stop spills.
Try to let your child do more by themselves. Let them hold the cup, bring it to their mouth, and tip it to drink. Make sure they sit still so they can control their arms and body to tip the cup slowly.
Some children like cups they can see into or cups that are tilted so they do not have to tip their heads back too much. Examples are Flexi Cups and Doidy Cups.
Using a fork
Once your child can use a spoon, you can start to use a fork at mealtimes.
Give your child a small, easy-to-hold fork first. Let your child practise by taking food off the fork that you have put on for them. Then, give them foods that are easy to pick up with the fork, like fruit or cooked vegetables.
When they get better, you can give them both a spoon and a fork at the same time so they can practise holding and using both.
Last reviewed February 2026