Toddler throwing food...

[Anonymous]

So I am wondering if it is possible to get my 17 month old to stop throwing food. I didn't mind at first, figured she was "exploring", but I am over it. She eats, and about every third bite she just drops it on the floor. Then, when she has decided she doesn't want anymore she violently wipes the tray of the high chair until the food goes everywhere. I don't understand why she started doing this, she used to just use a sign to tell me she was done and that was it. I keep telling her that we don't do that , that she just needs to tell me "all done" etc, but it doesn't seem to be sinking in. Do I discipline? We have started time outs for other things, but I would have to do it after every meal and it seems crazy. Do I just wait for it to stop? Your wisdom is appreciated!

[Anonymous]

My son did the same thing right around this age. When he threw food, I'd sternly tell him no and then take him out of the high chair and have him help me clean it up. If he wanted to eat more, he got one more chance -- if he threw food again, the meal was over. I'm not sure if it actually made this stage shorter or just made me feel like I was doing something about it!!

[Anonymous]

My 15 month old DD does that - plus she throws her sippy cup too! The poor dog takes shelter under the table until meal time is done.

I know this is a phase, but I am still waiting for it to pass.

[Anonymous]

I support 22:47's approach. It's not too young to start teaching consequences. You throw food - you help clean it up. You do it again - meal is over. It won't take her long to learn.

[Anonymous]

My son did the same and then stopped, around 17 mo or so, and would just drop one piece on the floor to show he was done. We had already started working with him on "all done" or "full" and even tapping the edge of the high chair, so just kept working with him on giving those indications he was done. Now, at 19 mo, he still sometimes grabs a handful or even just one piece and throws it on the floor, at which point I hold his hands and sternly say "we do not throw food on the floor. If you are done, tell me 'full' or 'done.' Do not throw food." Same for the sippy cup. Same for toys. It's admittedly working well for the toy throwing, and about 50-50 for food. Bottom line, we go through the "do not throw food" thing, I remove the tray, take him out and (try) to have him help me pick up. That last part isn't quite as smooth yet! Though he does get it when I ask him to help pick up toys, so I know he understands what I'm asking.
Frustrating time, I know!

[Anonymous]

My son also did this at that age and I followed advice on this board to make him clean it up.

I picked him up out of the chair, even if he had not finished, made him pick it up and empty the bowl into the trash. A few times even that was frustrating, because it seemed he would just throw the food anyway and say "bowl" because he knew that was next. It seemed like forever but only lasted a few weeks.

Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the post about "all done" and "more." Try using sign language for those words and after a short time they catch on, especially at that age. My DD did it too and after a short time the signs clicked and we had less of a mess (as the mess never really goes away!)

[Anonymous]

I feel harsh after readin the other posts, but we simply took her food away the first time she threw food. It didn't last but a few meals and she never threw food again. Good luck - it's frustrating.

[Anonymous]

We're in the same boat and I'm over it! My son is 19 months. Any advice is appreciated. He's starting to pick up his toys but I don't think he'll help pick up food.