How to handle food throwing?

[LackingCommonSense]

13mo DS has just swiped out at his tea as I was feeding him sending food everywhere. I told him 'no' sternly and transferred the food to one of those stick to the tray bowls thinking he might want to feed himself (he's very contrary with how he's fed these days) and he pulled the bowl off it's base and flung it on the floor.

How do you deal with this behaviour? My initial reaction was 'fine, don't have anything then' but then I obviously don't want him to be hungry so I gave him a banana.

How should I handle these outbursts going forward?

[BertieBotts]

Give smaller amounts of food at a time, stop the meal if/when they start playing with it, and try again later. If it's happening a lot at the same mealtime, try changing the timing, it might be that he's not hungry at that time or he's too excited/tired/bored.

He's not really being naughty, he's just a baby exploring and finding out what happens. It's quite fun to throw food. It's okay to set the limit of not throwing food by taking the food away or stopping the meal, but give him a chance to try again, ie, don't punish him by withholding food (it sounds like you wouldn't do this anyway :))

[LackingCommonSense]

Thanks for the tips! I'm hoping it's not a theme

[minipie]

I've heard those stick on bowls actually have the opposite effect as some toddlers regard it as a game or challenge to unstick it... ! just saying!

agree with small amounts and make sure he is definitely hungry. I find this happens mostly when dd is no longer hungry/bored of being in highchair/tired so it's about keeping those situations to a minimum. Occasional food throwing is inevitable though I reckon.

[BertieBotts]

Yes, the problem with the stick on bowls is that when they unstick they launch their contents quite far!

I didn't use bowls and plates with DS until later, I just put the food on his tray.

[LackingCommonSense]

Yes I think he does see it as a challenge these days actually! maybe I'll stop using it for the time being at least!

Usually food throwing is kept for when he's had enough as with your DD minipie. Tbh I don't think he likes this particular meal - DH has just reminded me that he hasn't been keen in the past so that might explain it!

[Andcake]

With spoons food throwing I have a three strikes and it's taken away rule. Tbh ds only really does it when he is not hungry or has turned against a food