food thrower

[marthawashington]

I have a 19month old who loves to throw food off her high chair. I have tried to get her to say "all gone" instead, but it doesn't work because she throws it off almost immediately. If I say that all her food is gone and she's not getting more, she doesn't care, and is just as happy to get off her chair and play. But, I know she can eat too because once I get her more food, she may eat it. It's basically hit or miss all through a meal time whether she throws it or eats it. I hear my sitter saying, "no no no" but it doesn't work. I feel like if I say "no" too much she just ignores it anyway. Any suggestions?

[staceychev]

I don't know... my experience is food throwing=not hungry. I would say "looks like you're not hungry now. Maybe later" and then take her out of her high chair and let her play. She'll eat when she's hungry.

[pianojazzgirl]

Tiny portions. Tiny tiny portions. Like start with a bite or two or three at a time. It can work wonders to put an end to food-throwing. Perhaps toddlers and babies get overwhelmed with too much food in front of them? I'm not sure, but I do know that only putting a very limited amount in front of them can really help. And the best thing is that if they do end up throwing it it's only a little bit, and then (like the pp said) you can say "oh I guess you're not hungry now. Let's get you down out of the highchair." End of story.

ETA another thing that I like to do with my toddler (and still sometimes do with my older dd!) is set out a snack tray of healthy nibblies on a little table at their level, so they can run around and play and then stop for a bite when they're hungry. I think the reality is that a lot of toddlers are just more naturally inclined to be grazers. Of course you can still have your dc sit with you for meals, but then the pressure for them to sit still and eat a full meal (without throwing food!) is alleviated. When they're done they're done, and you know that they have eaten (throughout the day) what they need to not be hungry.

[nextcommercial]

Originally Posted by staceychev

I don't know... my experience is food throwing=not hungry. I would say "looks like you're not hungry now. Maybe later" and then take her out of her high chair and let her play. She'll eat when she's hungry.

Yep. This is what I have been doing for years, and it's never failed.

[justKate]

Originally Posted by pianojazzgirl

Tiny portions. Tiny tiny portions. Like start with a bite or two or three at a time. It can work wonders to put an end to food-throwing. Perhaps toddlers and babies get overwhelmed with too much food in front of them? I'm not sure, but I do know that only putting a very limited amount in front of them can really help. And the best thing is that if they do end up throwing it it's only a little bit, and then (like the pp said) you can say "oh I guess you're not hungry now. Let's get you down out of the highchair." End of story.

I agree with tiny portions. Like two bites, with more food within viewing distance.

As soon as DD starts dropping food (intentionally, looking at me for a reaction), I take the tray off the high chair. She stays sitting in the chair; food is removed. "That shows mama that you're all done." We try again after a few minutes if she seems interested. She sits until we're finished dinner.