My thirteen month old thinks it's a fun game to throw all of his food on the floor. I've tried serving him only a few pieces at a time, catching his hand to say 'no' as he goes to throw food each time, and taking the tray away for a short period of time each time he does it. I know he's young, but I feel like he is old enough to understand it's something that he shouldn't do. He doesn't do it with a tantrum, he does it to be funny....he laughs as he throws every piece, and thinks it's a great game. I've tried ignoring, but he still seems to enjoy doing it even without any attention from me. Is this just a phase he'll grow out of, or is there something else I can try to get the message across to not throw food? Also, how do I know that he's getting enough to eat? I still supplement with baby food jars here and there to make sure he has enough fruits/veges/meat. Any other suggestions? Eating at home until we figure it out.... :)
Thank you everyone for your great responses! It helps to know my little one isn't the only one who's been through this. I started giving him one warning after he threw the first piece, and the next time he did it I would take his tray away for a few minutes while he sat in his high chair and watched me eat. We've done this at every meal for several days, and the throwing of food is happenning less often already. It upsets him when I take the tray away, and I think he's already made the connection. Thank you again for all the great advice!
Christy thanks for posting this. I have 13 mo old twin boys & 1 does this. I too have tried ignoring it, taking his tray, firmly telling him no and nothing seems to work. It is nice to know (from the responses you received) that this is just a stage. I think I am going with the response to take the baby from the table. Good luck!
I wouldn't ignore it...trust me, its easier to fix it in a 13-month-old than a 3 year old....Every time he does it, remove him from the high chair and place him in his crib for one minute per year...so one minute :) He might cry or fuss, but will associate throwing the food with his "time out". Just make sure you close the door enough that he can't see you, but you can hear him...above all, be consistent!! Even though he seems young, babies learn more their first two years than the next twenty...they really are smarter than we give them credit for, especially when it comes to getting away with something :)
Good Luck!
My son is 16 months and he does the same thing. He loves to throw food on the floor. Sometimes I've noticed it comes around the time he gets full. I have tried taking his plate away from him and giving him just 1 piece of food at the time, but he continues to do it. Just for fun...not in a fussy way. I'm not a big believer in spanking...especially not at this young age, but the other night I popped him on the hand very lightly when he threw the food down. He's a very sensitive little boy (emotionally) and he started crying like i'd hurt his feelings. He didn't throw the food again that night though. I don't know how things will go in the future.
Christy - not sure if you have already done the suggestions offered, but I don't think time out in the crib is appropriate at age 13 months - they don't make the connection and could grow to think that the crib is a bad place - and create larger issues. Taking the food away is a start - we do this with my daughter - she loses her plate for a short time and we try again. If you feel like you child has already had enough to eat - then you could give one more chance and say the meal is over if he throws any more food. He will eat and stop playing if he is hungry - believe me - my daughter has learned! I am believer in direct and specific consequences - the crib has no relation to his behavior at the table...he needs to relate throwing food to what happens at the table - make him sit in his high chair while you guys finish eating. My daughter is almost 17 months - and now she is part of the cleaning up - if she throws her cup on the floor or silverware - it stays there until the end of the meal, and she picks it up when the meal is over...hang in there! I know it is frustrating!
Hi Christy,
I have a six yr old and a 2 1/2 yr old that has been a lot of work. But right now is the best time to let your child know that what you says goes. When you catch him throwing the food, get at his eye level and firmly tell him NO and continue until you feel you get your point across. Stay sitted beside him and reenforce your NO everytime. A lot of first time moms (including me) think that they absolute can't handle if their child is upset with them, but I had to be told many times, "Your their parent and not their friend." It's alright if your little one is upset with you for a little while, they will still love you in the end and you gain their respect that way too. Children need guidance. I hope this is a little helpful, also, I have started giving my children "V8 - Vfusion" to make sure they get their share of friuts and veg. and with meat just keep giving it. But for now at 13 mths., here and there doesn't hurt. Your doing a great job, just be consistant and follow through.
Quel
Take your baby out of the high chair, say food stays on the tray, and offer to put her back in five minutes or so. Other options are to also say (once you have her down)"We don't throw food. If you want to throw food you may come over here and throw a ball. Food needs to stay on the tray". Kids throw food for two reasons: 1)They are done eating 2)They inherently want to throw something and food happens to be there. Hope this helps.
Toddlers have poor impulse control. He'll outgrow it.
My son is 2. He rarely throws food anymore. I still don't go out to eat, though. At least not any place that isn't geared towards children. My son can't sit still long enough through a dinner.
This is a normal stage for all kids, but you do have to stop them. I have found that after trying all other avenues with my 2 children that the easiest and quickest solution is to remove the food and put them down from the table. My youngest is 17 months and went through this stage not too long ago. Anytime she wanted to throw food, I would take her food away and put her down from the table and scold her telling her no and that now she can go play. About an hour or so later, I'd put her back up to the table and she'd eat. It only took her about 3 nights to figure out that she'd better not throw her food anymore. Granted, the first time, she cried and carried on, but she got the point.
