I have no idea how old DS was when i first let loose with a spoon, under a year I think. He is now 22 months and uses a fork and spoon really well, he has massive spoonfuls of yoghurt and gets 95% of stuff in his mouth. The biggest problem I have is him moving food to the edge of the plate and it goes over the edge, although he then scoops it off the table. He used to be stubbornly headstrong and not let us feed him at home but wouldn't use a spoon at nursery for love nor money!!  My DD is nearly 6 months old and obviously cannot scoop but as soon as she can grab the spoon, she does and it is straight in her mouth.

Buy some long sleeve bibs and put a normal one over the top and just GO FOR IT.

Lol - we tried one of those magic mats when ds was about 12 months - and he just pulled harder and harder until the bowl flew off and then pulled up the mat and threw it onto the floor. After that i just used to hold the bowl myself.

"Gave" ds a spoon as soon as he wanted to hold one (well - had one grabbed out of my hand) but he's only been feeding himself with it properly for the last couple months.... and still sometimes his t-shirt gets so hungry that it gets more of the food than he does. DS will give you back the spoon near the end of a bowl when it gets too tricky but otherwise likes to do it all himself unless very tired. (now 21mths)

The big mess dangers are yoghurt and fruit pots as they tip over so easily and then puddle - i now give ds yoghurt in a tiny baby bowl which is much shorter, so it lets me buy yoghurt in big tubs, change the brands etc without him noticing AND he finds it easier to spoon it all out.

ds is almost 21 months now and has been holding a spoon ever since he was interested in it really... probably about 9 months i suppose. he's been feeding himself with a spoon or fork for quite a few months now. i've only let him loose with a yoghurt pot (him holding it too) in the last month though! i have one of those magic mats which is fab as the bowl stays put.

I let dd hold a spoon frmo very young, I baby led weaned her from 7 months so she's been holding a spoon since then, however, only in the last few weeks has she been feeding herself from a spoon. She's getting better every day though. She knows how to use a fork to stab food too which can be easier soemtimes.

I seem to remember DD's nursery letting her loose with a spoon at around 9 months or so and I have let her have a spoon at home from about 1 years old or so.  She's pretty steady with youghurts and mashed potato but other fiddly things will take a lot of practise lol.

ps.  my lo really enjoys it and often doesnt let me help him. < he likes his independence>  but if we go round parents 4 dinners the whole table will have a turn 2 help him with one spoon.  ha.

hi

my lo was about 7mths, he was at nursery where i worked and at first they hold a spoon while u feed them.  then depends on the child and how they progress.  when they are 1 they encourage them 2 feed themselves, as when they are one and walkin they move 2 the next group.  they are normal relaxed as most of the children prefer to use there fingers. but we just remind them to use their spoons.  my lo is 18mths hes ok with feeding himself but depends on what we have. i still remind him to use his spoon.  he will use his fingers sometimes.  in the mornings he has cereal, he is much better than with his dinners.

hi there i let my ds loose with a spoon since he was old enough to hold it!! but hes only just got the hang of feeding himself so go on let your lo have ago!!! lo will love it lol

hello, just wondered how old your lo was when you let them loose with a spoon at dinner times for the 1st time? i know this is going to be a messy time.

Kelly x