Throwing Her Sippy Cup

Updated on September 30, 2008
L.G. asks from San Diego, CA
6 answers

Hello Moms!
I thought this was a phase that would stop, but it's been three weeks and I have run out of responses to try to curb our 16 month old daughter from throwing her sippy cup off her high chair. At first I made a big deal out of the toss as it hit the dog. Said 'no throwing' firmly and looking her in the eye. I told her if she didn't want it to put it on the table next to her high chair (also where we put food that we don't want, instead of throwing that too). That seemed to get a bigger response of more throwing. The next week, I didn't do anything. I either left it on the floor, or gently replaced it back on the table not giving her any response. She still tossed it overboard. The next week I hooked it to her high chair with a few rings so she could still throw it, but it wouldn't land with the loud thump and she could still get it if she needed a drink. Somewhere in there, I took her out of her chair when she flung it and ended the meal session for a few times, but that didn't work either. Any suggestions? I feel she needs to have it near during meals, but it seems to be a sign of her trying to tell me something (she still doesn't say any words besides mama and dada). It happens when I'm sitting right next to her eating, or when I'm up and about in the kitchen. It's definitely an attention getter and I can't figure out what I am doing wrong for her to seek this type of attention. Argh!! Help!!

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K.R.

answers from San Diego on

This may not be true in your case, but my 12mo old throws food/cup from high chair when she doesn't want it anymore. I might give it back to her once, but after that, she doesn't get it back. I firmly tell her not to do it, and if I can see it coming block her arm, but I don't make too big of a deal.

I would also suggest signing--but you have to be patient with it. If you consistently say & sign the more crucial words, she will 1st recognize them and either show a positive or negative response, and then you can help her sign (move her hands for her) as you say them, and one day she'll surprise you by doing one on her own. I sign "eat/hungry" "drink" "more" "all done". I have also tried to teach her nodding head and please.

Don't think you are doing anything wrong--you are obviously not b/c you have put so much effort and thought into your actions.
Congrats on natural conception--I too am prego naturally after fertility treatments with #1, and also conceived while breastfeeding...

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C.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I know this might not seem relevant to the request, but have you considered taking her out of the high chair and letting her sit either at the table with you and dad or at a kid sized table? My daughter was showing signs of wanting to be out of the high chair around 11 months, so we started having her eat meals at her small kid sized table and at the family table with my husband and I. When she's at the "big" table we have her sit in a booster, which brings her to the perfect height. Give it a try, you might be surprised at the outcome. And if you're not ready for that transition yet, it still should just be a stage, maybe a really long stage, but she should grow out of it. Good Luck, C.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

just leave it on the floor my 18 month old doesnt get her cup till after shes done eating no excuses. maybe try that. good luck!

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B.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son does the same thing! He is 13 months old and has been doing it for over a month and he seems to be getting alittle better. He gets one chance and then it stays on the floor or i put it on the table near me and offer him a drink after a few bites of food. My doctor told me that he is just exercising his ability to be able to control his situation however it is VERY frustrating. My mom bought me a leash for the cup which is great when we are out to eat or he is in his stroller (so it doesn't touch the dirty ground). My son has a very large personality and I have decided to pick my battles with him as my doctor and daycare provider have told me that this is a stage and that it will pass. The most important thing I have learned is to pick how you want to deal with it and be consistant. Like anything that we do with out kids, its all about consistancy and structure. It's not always "fun" but it does pay off.

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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hi L., being a first time mom when you are older, sometimes it is hard to know how to handle things, cause were out of practice. Throwing should never be allowed, I would be tapping her hand everytime she throws her cup or anything that isn't made to be thrown. In my daycare at meal time i give the kids their main food, then after the eat that I give them their fruit, then after they eat that i give them their drink, I have a 14 month old that throws things and i am nippin it in the bud now, becasue the other day is grandma was letting him play with her cell phone and he kept throwing it, and she would pick it up and give it back to him, well the third time he threw it he barley missed hitting the 3 month old baby in the head with it, so i told the grandma I didn't want him throwing the phone that he was going to hit someone, she didn't like telling her that, but she did take the phone a away then babied him when he threw a fit. Nip it in the bud now, before she gets stronger and can throw harder and,furthure, if she throws her cup or food shes done, that's what i do, and also we don't set food aside we don't want, that teaches pickyness and ungratefulness for the food put before them. J. L.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Good suggestions here.
Just wanted to add, that it might be a GOOD idea to teach her sign language... so she can communicate, and since she is not yet talking fully.

I taught both my kids sign language as babies.. .and it really does help.

Instead of just "nouns", teach her functional signing "words" like "more", "eat", "hungry", "drink", "stop," "help," "sleep," "please", etc. My kids used the functional words more than just nouns. It really helped to alleviate the frustrations for both child & Parent.

There's lots of info. on it on the web, or books from the bookstore or library. I would really recommend it.

Good luck,
Susan

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