Throwing food

[Xansaf]

My DD just turned one and is usually a good eater. Recently though she’s been throwing food on the floor every mealtime. It doesn’t seem to be that she’s full because she’ll throw handfuls quite forcefully and then start eating again. I’m getting to the point of saying as soon as she throws anything the food is taken away and if she gets hungry then so be it because I am sick and tired of making food only for her to throw it about.

[Xansaf]

Sorry posted too soon! I’m just looking for advice to stop this behaviour because it’s unacceptable! What if she does this at nursery?!

[fruityb]

She’s experimenting and playing with it. It’s fun to do that’s why!

I told me son not to do it but I never let him go hungry. Give her food that is easily cleaned up if you’re worried about it and nursery will have seen this all before.

I think you’re being a bit ott for a one year old. My son still makes a mess and he’s 19 months old now!

[Xansaf]

Making a mess I’m ok with - we did BLW, I’m used to mess but I’m not ok with her deliberateky chucking food about rather than eating it. Shes hardly eaten a thing today, its all gone on the floor.

[fruityb]

She’s only little and won’t be doing it out of badness. My son did this - he refused anything at some points or would just open his mouth and empty it everywhere. It’s just fun for them! She’ll have no clue this is unacceptable and don’t leave her hungry if she’s still eating. Just give her stuff that’s easy to pick up!

[Xansaf]

Tonight she had poached chicken that I’d shredded for her, peas and a Yorkshire pudding cut into pieces. Easy to eat. Usually loves it. Tonight chucked most of it on the Floor so I eventually just gave up on her eating anything. Once she’s thrown it ALL I have no choice but to give up whether she’s hungry or not I guess!

[Aspieparent]

It's a phase most go though it. She's just playing and experimenting. She will eventually start eating again once she notices she's hungry.

[Aspieparent]

Also nursery will be used to it. I bet they have a fair few that do it.

[Fruitcocktail6]

Isn't this just normal 1 year old behaviour?

[BubblesBuddy]

Don’t give it to her!!! Feed her. She obviously won’t feed herself so you’ll have to do it. There is always the word “no” when she throws the food. She might think it’s fun, but it isn’t. So take the food away and it won’t be a toy to experiment with.

[Xansaf]

I sure hope so. I saw them eating on her settling in visit. Two were eating beautifully with spoons and two were in highchairs being spoon fed (they are slightly younger I guess) but there was no throwing. I do hope mine isn’t the demon child 🤭

[BubblesBuddy]

Mine never threw food! Not every child does. They throw if you tolerate them throwing.

[fruityb]

I still feed Ds some stuff if he can’t get it in his mouth - he’s getting better but I’d rather help him. He used to throw it if he didn’t want it so I had to sweep in when he was done!

Don’t compare - my son can’t sort himself with cutlery whereas others can. He will do one day is all I’m bothered about.

Like you say if she chucks it she can’t eat it. She’ll learn soon enough. Is she teething? Ds won’t eat when this is happening!

[Xansaf]

Well bubbles I’m happy you’re such a perfect parent with perfect kids but as you can see from my post I’m not really tolerating it now am I? She’s always fed herself, I’m not about to start spoon feeding now.

She can get it in her mouth, she proved that by eating a bit tonight. Not sure about teething, she’s still only got 4 and I can’t see any sign of the others yet. She’s not drooly or chewy at the moment.

[Vinorosso74]

No, don't start feeding her if you've done BLW. I seem to remember my DD going through a phase of throwing-not forceful but I think it was just she discovered she could throw things if that makes sense. I told her not too but found ignoring it seemed to help. It will pass.

[Vinorosso74]

*to

[FormerlyFrikadela01]

Vinorosso74
I agree ignoring it helps. My ds seemed to wait for the reaction and would laugh at us firmly saying No. Once I stopped giving it any attention he stopped doing it.


BubblesBuddy congratulations on you're fabulous parenting skills

[Xansaf]

Thanks you guys, I’ll just ignore it.

[Ginger1982]

My 11 month old does this too. I get so embarrassed in restaurants but what can you do? I did a mix of spoonfeeding and BLW and now he just feeds himself. I'm hoping it will pass!

[Justanotherzombie]

It's a phase that many little ones go through. Either feed her yourself, let her feed herself but sit beside and intervene quickly when she goes to do it, let her off and just clean up after, or give a sharp 'Ah-AH when she goes to do it and she'll soon stop doing it (except when annoyed or trying to wind you up over the next 2 yrs or so!).

[YorkieDorkie]

Don't give a big reaction to throwing food. DD would drop things on the floor because it was fun. We just said each time "no, we don't throw food" with a finger waggle for good measure . I don't think @BubblesBuddy comment was intended to upset anyone... no one thinks they're the perfect parent FFS. But if you don't let them know you don't like them throwing food, there's no reason to stop doing it. It's fun! My DD is now 2 and can be fussy at times, she tries to fight some meals and will very occasionally throw something on the floor in frustration. We just ignore it now as she's looking for the reaction. Your DC sounds like a very typical, explorative 1 year old!

[BerryBee]

Just ignore the throwing OP. Make the floor safe to pick food up from e.g a splash mat. Then you can hand it back. My DD went through this. I don't think they can understand cause and effect at this age so no point letting them go hungry or anything like that. They're just learning and experimenting. It will pass.
Just completely ignore the behaviour and hand food back.