My toddler throws his food on the floor.?

Question

A lot of times, when I put my son in his highchair and give him food, he just throws it on the floor and laughs. I work hard to prepare him nutritious meals and I want it to go into his tummy. I also don't like having to mop the floor 3 times a day. What do other parents do? The only food he doesn't throw is McDonald's french fries, but a person can't live on french fries. He refuses to be spoonfed and since he's 16 months old, I can't easily explain to him the valid reasons he should eat food rather than throw it.

Answer 1

aaahhh toddlers, don't ya love them? I think all little ones do this. when my son was still in the highchair when he began throwing his food on the floor I assumed he was done and took him out. eventually he would be hungry enough to eat the food and not throw it. They also have those lovely mats that you can put under the highchair to catch the food. Good luck, but know this will pass :)

Answer 2

It is normal for a toddler to throw things, but I know it can be frustrating for a careful mom like you. Stay calm and cheerful, but persistant

I Think you could try a little more feeding with or without a spoon. Also make sure your child is hungry at mealtime by restricting access to food for an hour or two before mealtime.

Give up trying to explain anything to a 16 month old. They simply lack the capacity of act on the information you are giving.

I am a big believer in positive reinforcement. Give praise each time your child eats as you'd wish (or any other behavior your trying to encourage) and try your best to ignore behaviors you don't want. Kids are seeking your approval so give it lavishly for "good" things and withhold it for not good behavior.

Don't clean up the floor as soon as something is thrown, wait till the meal is over and just do it once, without making a big deal about it.

Remember you kid wants to eat and wants your approval. Stay calm and in the driver seat.

Best wishes and remain strong and loving

Answer 3

You can't make a child eat no matter how hard you try. My doctor told me that sometimes all my daughter will want to eat is french fries and sometimes alll she'll want to eat is the ketchup. She said not too worry too much about it. If it's the mess you're worried about, they sell these mat things that you can put underneath the highchair so you can just pick it up and toss it other than mop or sweep all the time. Babies tend to drop food all the time. My daughter is 2 and feeds herself and there's always a mess for me to clean up afterwards. No big deal!

Answer 4

lol my 11 month old throws food usually its when he's done eating though. But he does not ever get fries and if he does they are oven baked way to much fat in those fast food fries. I just clean the floor over and over and over again. We have hardwood floors in our kitchen and sometimes he just drops the food so we have a plastic mat under his chair that catchs most of it, or the dogs get it. Ive also noticed he's a better eater if he's hungry. Which with him being only 11 months old he'll start to cry a little when he's hungry still. At 16 months can your son communicate he is hungry to you? Ive taught my 11 month old 3 signs one for hungry one for thirsty and we are working on "all done" He'll outgrow it.

Answer 5

Toddlers don't throw food because they're not hungry, they do it because it's developmentally appropriate. It's cause and effect. They throw or drop the food and it falls (or flies). It's a fascinating new concept for them. Then you react, which is also very intriguing. Either you pick it up for them, or say no, no, or throw it in the trash or whatever. Cause and effect is one of the most important discoveries for toddlers. It just shows he's growing and learning. He'll out grow it. You might try playing dropping games when he's not eating. His need for it might be satisfied, but then again, toddlers are thirsty for knowledge and research.

This is a nice outline for some developmentally appropriate behavior

http://www.nncc.org/Child.Dev/todd.dev.html

Good luck!

Answer 6

Remove him from his chair and put the food in the fridge as soon as he starts throwing it. He's doing it because it gets him attention, it stresses you out, and it's fun. If you make it so that he's not getting rewarded, ie by removing him from his "game" then he'll soon get the picture and stop, especially when he is hungry! When you remove him from his high-chair go put him in his crib or play pen while you are putting up the food and stuff, make sure you are not putting him into another fun activity or he'll only have more reason to throw his food, so he can leave the table to play. Be consistent and sooner or later he'll start eating correctly.

Answer 7

Pick it up, hand it back.

A quick sweep after and mopping once or twice a week is sufficient.

My son usually won't eat food unless he dumps it on the floor *lol*. So either I only give him one piece at a time, or I let him sit on the floor and eat his food.

Answer 8

He's old enough to start experiencing the idea of consequences for his actions. If he doesn't eat, he doesn't eat (he will if he gets hungry enough), but he needs to see that throwing food is a story with a sad ending - for him.
Or, if you feel he's too young to start correcting his behavior, you can follow one of the other posts.

Answer 9

Only give him a few pieces at a time. If he doesn't eat them he's not hungry! He's not going to starve or get malnutrition! Either try again later or wait till the next meal and by then he should be hungry! Don't give it all to him at once to make a big mess with!

Answer 10

Halfway has the right idea. Give him small amounts at a time. But I would add, get a dog to clean up the mess.