How on earth do you get them to sit down and eat? Please help.

[wideawakenurse]

DS is nearly 20 months. Food has always been a bit of a problem, he is a little fussy but he does have several food allergies too.

But for the last few weeks I cannot get him to sit down and eat any meals. We moved him from a high chair to a small table and chairs about 4 months ago, as that is how he eats at nursery. He was fine and enjoyed sitting at his 'big boy table'.

But now, as soon as I put any food in front of him he is squirming and trying to run off. I am pregnant and so am finding it hard to catch him and sit him back down.

I have tried every tactic I can think off. I sit and eat with him, I help and encourage him lots. I try to serve as many varied meals as far as I can with his allergies.

Today he has barely eaten a thing, and his dinner is sitting on his table uneaten.

Any advice?

TIA

[WTFAmIDoing]

I've no advice, sorry, but will be watching the thread as I have the same problems!

[omnishambles]

You tell him at the start of the meal that if he gets down before you say then he will be back in the high chair and you stick to it.

So thats the stick, the carrot is ignoring his eating and making meal times fun - we used to sing songs etc - makes us sound like twats but it incentivised the dc for staying at the table as it was the fun place to be iyswim.

[omnishambles]

oh and make sure you have a proepr high chair like an antilop that will take older dc and not one of those weird, high-up overstuffed things

[wideawakenurse]

The high chair is a Antilop.

This might sound really stupid, but will he understand what I mean by the threat of the high chair? Its kept in the shed as we have the house on the market and are trying to portray a calm, zen like home.

[omnishambles]

yes - you have to bring it back out again so that he can see it or he won't remember - after a few times of being plonked in it rapid return style for a meal he should revert to sitting at the table - can you not get a booster seat so he can sit with you at your table btw - you are all eating the same thing at the same time non?

[peanutdream]

i agree with omnishambles. i have done the same with bedtime. its the travel cot if he doesn't stay in bed. i wouldn't have done it if he was distressed by his bed but he loves it and thought getting out a MILLION times was a great game. i am 35 weeks preggo so DH just said tell him if he gets out again he goes in the travel cot. i didn't really want to start threatening but once he realised we were serious he never got out of bed again and now sleeps like a baby in his big bed. they defo understand consequence, particularly if its one they don't want to happen lol.

after a few days i packed the travel cot away and now just have to say (rarely) the words and he gets into bed

good luck

oh and take him out running so he's hungry?

[wideawakenurse]

ok.

For mid week meals he and I eat together at his table as DH is home late.

Weekends we eat as a family at the family table. He has a booster seat for that, but still tries to get out.