20 Month Old Still On Purees & Barely Self Feeding Spoon

[mimi]

Since Mom is not responding to your direct concerns about her childs lack of willingness to feed himself, I would just tell her that he needs to be self feeding and give her a time line you feel is appropriate. She is obviously not interested in taking the reigns so to speak and promoting self feeding techniques to her child so you will have to.
If this child refuses to eat at first because he is not being fed, so be it. I wouldn't even say too much except that the food is yummy and he can start eating like the rest of his friends. Just ensure he is well hydrated and when he realizes he is expected to fed himself because you won't he soon will. Be prepared for a few difficult days till he gives in and starts to feed himself.

[Lee-Bee]

I would have to agree with Mimi but would quite possibly go further and let them know that as of XX date you will no longer allow any purees at all. Only regular adult foods, they can be eaten with a spoon or fork (by the child) but nothing that is meant for a baby, as the child is no longer a baby and needs to be eating appropriately.

This child has unfortunately missed the point of moving past pureed foods easily...with the parents waiting so long to move on they have essentially made it a really hard task to do. This should have been done a year ago.

Be firm and direct with the parents and be firm and consistent with the child. The child will soon learn to self feed if you do not feed him. It's a sad reality for the child, but one his parents have chosen for him. I can assure you no daycare centre would be spoon feeding purees to a 20 month old. No home daycare should be either. Unless you receive written medical instructions that this is necessary for a medical condition it is of no benefit to the child to continue.