My Baby Won’t Spoon Feed
June 8, 2023
My baby won’t spoon feed! Jill Castle offers tips and advice for parents when their baby is refusing spoon feeding.
In this episode, I address a listener’s concern about spoon feeding their 14-month-old baby who prefers finger foods. The listener’s baby was born prematurely, and weight gain has been a struggle despite offering various foods.
I explore two key aspects: developmental readiness and growth. Developmentally, we consider the baby’s corrected age and milestones, emphasizing that every child progresses uniquely. Regarding spoon feeding, I provide tips such as offering the spoon without pressure, modeling using a spoon, and preloading the spoon.
I also discuss the importance of discussing growth concerns with a pediatrician, ensuring a high-fat diet for proper development, and the value of bringing the baby to the family table. Lastly, I recommend additional resources on our website for self-feeding tips, developmental milestones, mistakes to avoid, and responsive feeding.

My latest book is here – Kids Thrive at Every Size, How to Nourish Your Big, Small, or In-Between Child for a Lifetime of Health and Happiness.
What You’ll Learn About My Baby Won’t Spoon Feed
- The importance of developmental readiness and growth in spoon feeding babies
- Tips for encouraging independent eating and addressing concerns about weight gain in young babies
- Understanding the developmental milestones of premature babies and their impact on feeding
- Strategies for introducing spoon feeding to a self-feeding baby
- The role of fat-rich foods in the diet of a young baby and promoting healthy growth
- The benefits of including babies at family meals and establishing a positive feeding environment
- Recommendations for offering solids before liquids to encourage appetite in young children
- Additional resources and articles on self-feeding tips, feeding milestones, responsive feeding, and starting solids
Listen to the Show:
Resources:
Featured in this Show:
- Subscribe to this show
- Follow me on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
- Subscribe to my YouTube channel and see the latest videos
- Self-Feeding Tips for Babies and Toddlers
- Baby Changes and Feeding: What to Expect
- 4 Mistakes that Slow Baby Self-Feeding
- What is Responsive Feeding
- The Smart Mom’s Guide to Starting Solids
- The Shop on The Nourished Child
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Enjoy the Show?
- Don’t miss an episode, follow on Spotify and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or RSS
- Leave us a review in Apple Podcasts.
- Join the conversation by leaving a comment below!




Jill Castle, MS, RD
Jill Castle, MS, RDN is a pediatric dietitian with over 35 years of experience and the mother of four grown children. She helps families raise healthy eaters and healthy kids at every size, with nutrition, parenting and lifestyle behaviors.
