Throwing Food - Philadelphia, PA

When my 11 month old starts throwing her food I take it away except for one or 2 pieces. Then as she eats those I give her a couple more. I have also recently tried putting my hand under her hand when she's aiming to drop the item on the floor- she usually ends up putting it back on her tray or in her mouth. I also say "no, thank you"- it's still giving her direction while also teaching her manners. If you overuse "no", kids will not think they can't do anything! So I save the stern "no's" for dangerous things. This, as so many other things, is a phase and as they say- this too shall pass.

Ignore, ignore, ignore-LOL
Shes still a babe...plenty of time to teach her manners later!

For now I'd ignore it. She's really to little to understand cause and effect. If she's doing it because she's finished eating, then taking her away from the table when she does it is going to teach her that throwing food is a way to signal that she's done. Teach her the sign for all done (hold your hands up and twist your wrists, like your brushing crumbs off a table) so she can communicate when she's finished. Say "All Done" or "Finished" when you do it- my son was signing "all done" at this age.

She will grow out of it, but it may be a while. At 22 months, we are almost through this stage!

Not only do they all do it--they ALL think it's a fun game! You can either play the game or ignore it. Personally, I'd let her go to town. Put an old sheet or something under her highchair so you can easily clean it up. :-)

If there is no consequence for throwing the food (and of course she's not being bad-and you shouldn't get mad- Lessons are to teach behavior not "her being a bad or good person"), she will not stop. If you want to wait until later to teach, "no" by using consequences to illustrate she needs to stop when you say, "no" then you'll have to wait it out and teach it later! If you never want to say no, then, watch out!, my friend has one of those "never been told no" kids and at age six, she really is a terror. The sooner you start the easier for your child. And most of all, watch out for being guided by your own comfort level, because discipline is not easy! You can try redirecting etc if you're patient, but it won't hurt her to learn to follow directions now or soon. Good luck!

Y not say no? you dont have to be mean about it. i started telling my daughter no when she touched or did thinkgs she shouldnt around 7 months, she fully understands the word now and lamost always listens to it. Not telling a child no is a great way to make a brat.

Unfortunately,this is something that kids do. This is a phase that they go through. Put something to throw underneath her high chair. i would always tell my son time and time again not to throw his food. I would tell him give mom your food when you are done. this took quite some time but he now does. have fun with your child and not not worry about it.

Thats waht tehy do and it also means they aer not hungry. Wait till the y start throwing sippy cups and it is because they can. LOl enjoy it because it don't last long.
T.

Take the food away. Don't worry about saying no. Don't say anything at all. Just put less on her tray, so she has less to throw. When she starts throwing food, obviously, she is not longer hungry. Take it away. When she reaches for it, give her some. If she throws it, don't give her any more.

She will live. And she's smart. If she really wants to eat, she won't throw her food.

She's not being "bad" -- she's just experimenting.. . and if you don't respond by taking away the ammo, you are are going to have a whole lot more to deal with -- cleaning up, as well as dealing with your own anger and frustration.

Give her smaller portions, and when she's done, wash her up and let her get down. Don't hold her captive and looking for other entertainment. :-)

Start good eating habits now. If she's throwing food it means she's playing and exploring, but more importantly she's not hungry. Give her a warning not to throw. If she throws again remove her from the table, period. Start good table manners and eating habits right now or it will only get worse down the road. If she's allowed to keep throwing she'll think it's allowed. If she's hungry, she'll eat.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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