My 15 month old LOVES to eat and insists on feeding himself. Unfortunately he also loves throwing his food. He often does this throughout feeding time, which goes something like this:
One small handful of cheerios in the mouth, one small handful on the floor.
One chunk mashed nana in the mouth, one on dad's shoe.
One spoonful oatmeal in mouth, one on the refrigerator.
You get the idea!
We have tried "No, Davy!" taking away his bowl, the food, taking him out of the chair, ending the meal. He throws himself on the floor and screams. Then a few minutes later he wants to eat again. And it starts all over!
Any creative ideas?
Susan is mom to Alexander, Isabel, David and stepmom to Eric. Make sure your email address is current, we'll be giving out great prizes DAILY in September after our site makeover! Don't miss out!
I think you're doing the
I think you're doing the right things but when he has the tantrum ignore it and don't give into his requests to keep eating. after skipping a meal or two or three, he'll be hungry enough to behave.
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.
I agree with Susie, however
I agree with Susie, however expect this to continue for a while. The more you react, the worse it gets. I used to have my son help me clean up the mess(and not after the meal, but after each intentional mess). That seemed to help my son to be more careful about his messiness.
I have read about your view
I have read about your view online, and it says that it works. I have also read not to make a huge deal out of it as it may start attracting attention that you don't want, and when he wants your attention he'll start doing it. But I've heard that having them help clean up does work.
Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette
I think you're on the right
I think you're on the right track as well. Just stick to your guns. At that age with my daughter it was always about what I would take away if she continued. That worked like a charm.
Try this: get out a kitchen
Try this: get out a kitchen timer. Give Davy just 2-3 bites at a time (the better he likes the food, the quicker this will go). As soon as something gets flung, it's "all gone". Then set the timer; when it goes off, he can have something else to eat -- but not more of whatever he's thrown away.
Ignore the tantrums. You're not starving him, you're teaching him that it's not okay to waste food.
The last time I did this was over a weekend. By noon on Sunday, the little guy was cured. He still dropped as many green beans and kernals of sweet corn than he got in his mouth, but that was about aim. I just let the dog vaccuum.