Montessori weaning is a fun and interesting adventure, and it is starting with Augustus! Introducing food to my babies has been one of my favorites parts about parenting so far. It's literally getting the opportunity to introduce the world to them. And, it's delightful!
We personally use sort of a hybrid between Montessori weaning and baby led weaning. Aspects of both methods speak to me so we go with what works for us. This article is great at laying out the differences between the two.
One part of Montessori weaning that we stick to is using real dining dishes and utensils with our kids from the beginning. This includes using a weaning spoon. This is basically a small spoon that a baby can really use as they baby is learning to eat. This is not a spoon for an adult to feed food to a baby, but a tool for the child. A first step toward independence.
"Now we have in front of use the most importation guest we can have at our table, the human being we conceived and are helping to progress in human relationships toward independence." Silvana Quattrocchi Montanaro
There are many commercial options when it comes to weaning spoons. I'm looking for one that is not too big, but not too small. I wanted something that is real both in look and feel. And, something that is practical -- it has to really work for self feeding.
We settled on this spoon. And I could not be happier with it. It is significantly smaller than a typical children's spoon but still has a very functional design. And, unlike a traditional baby spoon {this one was mine as a baby!}, it has normal proportions so that food sits comfortably on it.
With Nora we used the middle spoon {an IKEA coffee spoon}, but I found it was just a tad too big, leading to frustration and messes. This spoon, however, fits perfectly into Gus' hands and he is quickly learning to self-feed. It is a wonderful step toward independence and you can tell the pride and joy he gets from using it.
It's these details that makes Montessori so special. Children are treated as whole humans deserving the same chances at independence that you and I receive.
Have you used a weaning spoon? Did your child like it?
