Feeding difficulty

Can you and your partner both work on getting little one to feed himself? That might remove the preference issue as it would be something he does independently rather than being fed by mummy or daddy

They should be feeding themselves at this age

My LB takes the spoon from me to feed himself, takes 2-3 bites and then starts playing with the food and spoon. My husband has less patience for a mess haha, so he rather feed my son with a spoon. Having said that, LB feeds himself sometimes but it's not a regular thing and he's quite fussy so we feel it's on us to make sure he doesn't go to bed hungry

I would work towards little one feeding themselves. I think this would give them more control over mealtimes and make it easier for them in the long run. I'd also offer a spoon and fork (depending on the meal) so you can see what they prefer eating with. It's also great for their development x

In general the little ones behave differently with the mum and everyone else. Sleeping is easier, eating is easier, getting dressed. You can take it as a compliment that he is completely himself and isn't scared of rejection from you if he doesn't behave a certain way. My little one barely eats anything although she feeds herself. I find it easier to pack finger foods she really likes and let her walk around with it, when I know I will be out and about. Maybe that would work?

Update: I've tried to give him a spoon to feed himself. He plays with the food and throws half of it on the floor. Eats the other half and then continues playing, which makes me think he's full. But no, he then has approx 10oz of milk just before bedtime! It used to be 5oz but has increased much more now. Which makes me think he's just being difficult with eating... This has been going on (increased milk intake) for the last month. I don't know whether it's fussiness, regression, teething or something else ...

I just don't want him to be more reliant on the milk than food before bedtime

Honestly I don’t stress about it if they are really hungry they will eat. I give her a bowl of food and if it’s left I save it and offer again in an or so and keep repeating, I avoid feeding firstly cos that’s time consuming and secondly she likes to be in control so it helps so much. I avoid most snacks (excluding fruit/veg) if my girl stops eating meals to make sure she has an appetite for proper meals and then once she’s eating more I then start offering snacks again . Works for us x I would also make sure not to be filling her up on milk either but I’m breastfeeding so might be different

Also just to add my girl is the same and loves to eat once her dad’s home from work. Some days she eats loads with me sometimes she just grazes throughout the day, but as soon as her dads home she sits on his lap and they share his dinner and she always eats loads with him 😆they go through fussy phases all the time it will improve again and then it will be bad again. I don’t think there’s much you can do apart from just keep offering balanced meals and they will eat what they want when they want🤣