K.R. asks from Somerville, NJ on March 17, 2007
"Raspberry" Spitting During Meals
My 7 month old son's latest trick is to make raspberry spitting noises while eating! It is becoming such a mess for him AND me. He's been doing it on and off for 2 weeks now. Is this just a phase or do I need to stop it? I do not encourage the behavior. I tell him no in a stern voice and never smile or laugh when he does it. Then when he takes a bite without spitting I tell him he did a good job. He doesn't seem to understand "no" and laughs when he spits it out. I'm hoping you all will tell me its a phase!
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C.P. answers from New York on March 18, 2007
It's just a phase. My nephew learned the same thing from his father at a restraunt one night and he thought it was so funny. He would do it over and over for the longest time but he did eventually stop. Just keep doing what you are doing and eventually he will not only learn the meaning of the word no he will also find something new to facinate him.
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R.L. answers from New London on March 18, 2007
Don't worry, it is a phase! I asked this same question on this site about 5 months ago. My daughter would spit everything i put in her mouth all over me. Everyone told me it was a phase, and sure enough she stopped about a month after starting.
H.C. answers from Syracuse on March 18, 2007
So, this is what I was told...to completely ignore it. I was telling my son no with a stern voice and all but he kept doing it. I noticed that when my mom fed him, he wouldn't do it. So I tried to ignore it and it took some time, but he did stop. It's totally a phase and my son is now 13 months and he still does it every once in a while, but he also doesn't eat the same mushy foods he was eating back then. It's just a new thing he's learned and the novelty will fade soon. Good luck!
P.C. answers from New York on March 18, 2007
Hi K.,
My daughter did this at about the same age. I know that it is messy, but it is just a phase. When food is flying all over you and him I know it is difficult to ignore, but try your best and it should let up soon.
P.
K.M. answers from Syracuse on March 17, 2007
Keep doing what you are doing. It IS a phase. Some get over it sooner then others. With my son I would smile and tell him no no, yucky, and eventually he stopped doing it. I'm pretty sure it didn't even last 2 weeks. In the mean time you might want to put a dish towel in your shirt collar while you feed him so you don't end up wearing so much of his food. :)
C.K. answers from New York on March 18, 2007
Awww, I know it may be messy but my daughter learned raspberries from Elmo and she still does it now, just not when she's eating anymore. It's a phase don't worry!
D.R. answers from New York on March 17, 2007
hi K., its just a phase, one of many, dont sweat it. i found the best way to stop any behavior i didnt like with a baby that young is to just turn away from them when they do it. either way, hes just experimenting with new sounds and things that he is learning he can do. as long as you dont give him a big reaction, it will stop, then he will start with something else :) wait till he starts throwing the food!
A.Q. answers from Hartford on March 18, 2007
I just went through this. Ignore it. Calmly clean it up and try to feed him again. If he continues stop feeding him. It is a phase. It lasted 3 days with my daughter because she LOVES to eat and when the food stopped going in her mouth she stopped spitting. Good Luck What ever you do DON'T laugh!!!
N.P. answers from Syracuse on March 18, 2007
This is just a phase, don't worry. Your son is just now discovering that he can control his environment, which pleases him. If he spits, you react. My advise to you is for you to ignore the unwanted behavior, which in this case is the spitting. Your non-reactive response will become boring to him after a while, and he will eventually stop.
I know your frustrations, as I have had two very precocious sons of my own. After 18 & 14 years, I can now look at these situations ovjectively. It is so hard to when you are in the middle of it sometimes!
Good luck! Enjoy every moment with your son as he will grow up all too fast!
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