As you feed your baby or toddler, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of their spoon or fork dropping to the floor and constantly picking it up and cleaning the mess involved. The first couple of times you may just let it go, but after that…it does become too repetitive and stressful. But don't worry – you're not alone! There are solutions to help make mealtime more enjoyable for both you and your little one.
Why Do Babies Drop Their Spoons?
Before diving into solutions, it's helpful to understand why babies drop their spoons. Here are a variety of reasons:
- Exploration: Babies learn about their world by exploring objects. Dropping things is one way they do that.
- Developing Motor Skills: Your baby is still developing their hand-eye coordination, and dropping things (anything) is part of that learning process.
- Attention: Sometimes, babies drop things to get your attention or to see your reaction, which they do love.
- Frustration: If they're struggling to get food onto their spoon or into their mouth, they might drop it out of frustration. If they refuse to eat or is a picky eater, they’ll most likely throw or drop their utensils. At times, they may just even drop their plate.
Tips to Prevent Spoon Dropping
Here are some practical tips to help keep your baby’s spoon where it belongs – in their hands!
- Use a Spoon with a Good Grip: Choose a spoon designed for small hands with a non-slip grip. This makes it easier for your baby to hold onto.
- Attach the Spoon to the Plate: Consider using a plate that has an attachment for a spoon, like DropLess Plate. This innovative design ensures the spoon stays attached to the plate, making it much harder for your baby to drop it to the ground or floor.
- Offer Finger Foods: Incorporate finger foods into meals. This allows your baby to eat independently without needing to use a spoon for every bite.
- Supervise and Encourage: Sit with your baby during mealtimes. Gently guide their hand if needed and praise them for successfully using their spoon.
- Keep It Fun: Turn mealtime into a fun activity. Encourage your baby and make it a positive experience. Patience and practice are keys to success!
Introducing DropLess Plate
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, DropLess Plate might be just what you need. Our innovative silicone plate comes with a unique utensil attachment that prevents a baby’s spoon or fork from falling to the floor. Here are just a few reasons why parents love it:
- Secure Attachment: The utensil stays attached to the plate, reducing the chances of it being dropped to the floor.
- Easy to Clean: Made from food-grade silicone, the plate can either be washed in the dishwasher or hand washed with soap and water.
- Kid-Friendly Design: Designed with your baby’s needs in mind, it’s perfect for small hands and developing fine motor skills. It has curved edges and with a depth that accommodates a variety of foods. It can be both a plate and bowl.
- Mom's Choice Award: DropLess Plate is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. Having been rigorously evaluated by Mom's Choice Award evaluators, DropLess Plate is deemed to be among the best products for families.
Join the DropLess Plate Community
Mealtime challenges are a common part of parenting, but with a little help and the right tools, they can become moments of joy and bonding. Trust us when we say that we’ve been there with the never ending utensils dropping to the floor. Our kids were very active with this as they were picky eaters. By addressing the issue of dropped spoons, DropLess Plate helps create a more enjoyable and stress-free mealtime experience for you and your baby.
We'd love to hear from you! Share your mealtime stories and tips with our community on Instagram using #droplessplate. Together, we can turn mealtime into a delightful adventure for both parents and little ones.