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Throwing Food

Elizabeth - posted on 01/21/2009 ( 3 moms have responded )

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Help - my 15 month old insists on throwing food off his highchair tray. He's barely eating enough to keep a baby sparrow alive, and then this! Sometimes, he doesn't even taste it - just sticks out his little arm and drops it... so I don't think it's even a matter of liking the food or not. We firmly tell him no, squeeze his little hand and then tell him if he does it again, he's done and we put him in the crib (no toys) for a little while. We then try it again, but usually only manage to get another few morsels into him before he starts up again. He's not talking yet (but has been walking since 8 months) and I know he's frustrated with not being able to communicate. Additionally, we have a 2 week old newborn which just adds to the frustration of this child. Help??

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Danielle - posted on 01/21/2009

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The sign language totally worked for me. My son is 15 months now, and offically stopped throwing food on ground a month or so ago. I taught him no more and more in sign. At first he would throw the food on the ground and scream. At that point I would firmly say NO Christopher, you tell Mommy no more (and I would do the hand motion for no more, teaching him more came later). Now when he tells me no more I say ok, and I clear the food away. I started saying are you done? And put my hand out for him to put the food in my hand (instead of on the ground). Now he puts the food in my hand when he is done, and says done. Or when I put the spoon up to his mouth he signs no more in sign when he doesn't want it instead of screaming. This takes the power struggle out of it. Occasionally when I am not paying attention he will put a couple pieces on the ground, but no big deal. He was very picky too but luckily I found a few things he liked and would always eat for instance yogurt, Gerber sweet potatoes, and Gerber green beans. I am sure with the newborn you are at your wits end. Hope this helps!!! I really think it will if you try. Take care.

Angie - posted on 01/21/2009

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0

My 2 year old, who eats at the table in a booster seat, did the same thing.  He is a big eater but when he was done he would push the plate on the floor.  If it is a food he thinks he doesn't like he will do the same push it away or throw it on the floor without tasting it.  It is better now, just keep trying to discipline him and wait for him to grow out of it. 

Gabrielle - posted on 01/21/2009

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14

Have you tried sign language, to help with the communication barrier? Your son is old enough to learn a few basic signs. We liked the Signing Time videos. I think you're doing the right thing by taking the food away when he starts playing with it. Maybe he's doing it for the attention it gives him, since obviously you're having to take time away from him to be with your newborn (congrats!) If that's the case, can someone help you out, so you can have some special time with your son?

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