How to Stop Raspberries at Mealtimes

Updated on January 15, 2010
K.B. asks from Massapequa, NY
13 answers

My daughter gets in the habit of blowing raspberries when I feed her. So basically she ends up spitting all of her food back at me. I have tried blocking it with a spoon, I have tried raising my voice and telling her NO! (all she does is smile back at me), I have tried ignoring it - nothing makes her stop and it makes mealtime a messy disaster. Any ideas on how I can stop the raspberries (at least at mealtime)?

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P.K.

answers from New York on

Well you will think I am crazy-just have fun with it.
It's these little things that seem annoying that you
will miss when she stops. She will give it up on her
own.

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A.P.

answers from New York on

Don't make her stop!!! I have a good friend who is a speech therapist, and she said raspberry blowing is pre-language and important for their speech and language development!

My daughter blows them at mealtime, but that is usually at the end of the meal when she's full. Could she be finished?

I'm sorry I don't have any other advice--maybe just stop feeding her for a few minutes--take a break, offer her a sippy cup of water? Then go back to the feeding.

Good luck.

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A.G.

answers from New York on

Been there, survived that so just ENJOY IT!!! she will move on in a few weeks most likely!!!! They change sooooo fast! A.

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M.K.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

My daughter did this too. I raised my voice and told her NO! along with actually putting the spoon on her lips to prevent the spitting. It took a couple of tries but eventually she stopped. She does occasionally try it again but has learned that I will yell at her which she doesn't really like so she stops right away. There so cute when they smile back at you :) but be firm and explain to her that it's not ok when eating and try to get her to do it when she's not eating and away from the high chair.

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J.P.

answers from Buffalo on

Just stop the feeding. When my girls were little and would try it that's what I did. Say ok, all done and stop. It did not take long for them to realize blowing raspberries ment no more food! I did, by the way, allow them to blow raspberries at other times. It is part of their development. There was no confusion as another reader suggested. When they do it w/food, I think it's more because of the reactions they get than about practicing sounds. Hope this helps!

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K.L.

answers from New York on

Not sure how old your daughter is but mine does the same thing and she is 7 months. My feeling is since my daughter at this age doesn't know the difference between when it is appropriate and when it isn't I either need to tell her no all the time when she blows the raspberries (at meal times and play times) or accept it for now at meal time. I have decided to say no to the raspberries all the time. That way she gets away from blowing them all the time and then it should also stop at meal times. She is also a baby though and figuring out her mouth and sounds she can make. Babies and kids will get very confused if you let the raspberries happen at play time but then say no at meal time. That is giving them mixed signals.

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N.M.

answers from New York on

Hi there! We went through this when my 1st daughter was little. We would tell her no then stop the meal and remove her from her high chair...it only took 3 times and she never did it again. If it's at the beginning of the meal you can wait a half hour to an hour and then try again...but remove her if she does it again. They learn cause and effect rather quickly.

Good luck!

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L.L.

answers from New York on

Hi K.,

My 10 month old baby girl is doing the same thing at meal time now. When her dad saw this two nights ago during meal time, he volunteered feeding her and to my surprise, the blowing of raspberries actually stopped when he fed her. Well, unfortunately, she still does it when I fed her. I tried her daddy's method and it helped a little regardless. Feed her a little spoonful at a time. If she starts blowing raspberries, I paused the feeding for a few minutes then resume again with little spoonfuls. She may end up eating just half of what you think she should intake but I made it up by giving my little one some bread, fresh fruits and of course, formula. Good luck!

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K.P.

answers from New York on

My almost 10-month old son is doing that at meal times lately also. Since I don't yet know what the outcome will be, I figured I would just let you know what I'm trying (as of yesterday). I've decided that when he does that, I will look away and not pay him any attention, just look down at the table until he stops. I know he's starting to get the idea of "no", but I kind of feel like I should save that for dangerous things. Good luck!

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E.M.

answers from New York on

I remembered a very long time ago with my son now 27 years old. Played airplane with him. he loved the sounds I made and when he opened his mouth with laughter in went the spoon. Raspberries weren't a problem at meal time with him. But... maybe this will help.

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S.S.

answers from Buffalo on

It may sound harsh, (and I AM NOT SUGGESTING BY ANY MEANS THAT U STARVE HER) but maybe try not feeding her. put the spoon down and very calmly walk away and "do something else" and see how she reacts. Then go back after a minute or two and try again. if u do ths consistantly it may just take the fun out of doing the raspberries and she may even try reaching for the spoon to show an intrest in self feeding....good luck

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S.L.

answers from New York on

My son was doing that a couple of months ago. The first couple of times he did it we tried just saying no and he laughed and did it again. Then I started wiping his face each time he did it to clean off the mess. He hates it when we wipe his face, so it only took a few times wiping him off for him to realize that was the consequence and he doesn't do it anymore. I'm not sure if that will work for you or not, but I thought I'd share.

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N.L.

answers from New York on

Are you sure she is hungry at these mealtimes? And that she likes the food?? My baby girl will also blow raspberries, but she does so when she is tired of eating it (whatever it is I'm feeding her). It's her way of communicating that she has had enough. I think it demonstrates the good nature your daughter has that she just kind of laughs it off and has fun with it. But I honestly think she is trying to communicate that she simply doesn't want it, or doesn't want it now. It's really important that you try to understand what she is trying to communicate and respect that instead of pushing your agenda about it. Try to remember that introducing solids is all about the socialization of eating, not the nutrition (that still comes from their milk). So if you are getting frustrated and trying to force her to eat at your pace and in your way, you are bringing unnecesary negative energy into the mix. Just try to hear her out and meet her where she is at. Otherwise, you may be "arming" the eating issue as one she will torment you with throughout her life. Catch it now and address it now, sounds like you still have a window in which to do so with no harm done.

I have a infant just turning 7 months today (aggh!). Also a two year old daughter. Moreover, I am a licensed mental health therapist so I apologize if my response is more then what you bargained for, but I must call it as I see it. Furthermore, I think you heart is in the right place or you wouldn't be seeking input about it. Best wishes, N.

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