Best way to handle food dropped from high chair (on purpose)

[hub2dee]

dd is 16 months. She doesn't do a lot of this, and it's usually just the odd bit of food rather than the whole bowl, but it's annoying nonetheless. I was wondering what was suggested 'best practice':

1. Ignore (it's just a phase, she'll grow out of it)

2. Say "no" / explain why (or maybe just say "no" with stern face and no other explanation / elaboration)

3. Remove baby from highchair (for how long - just a few minutes then put back, or end the meal prematurely ?)

(re: end meal prematurely: I don't think I could / would do this )

ta for any coments.

LOL hc. No wonder dogs love little babies LOL.

csws - are you handy with a mop then ?

mawbroon - interesting comment you make about the lack of praise 'either way' IYSWIM. Can I ask an odd question - have you generally always been slim ? (I'm wondering if our praise for dd eating 'well' reflects our, ahem, over-interest in food IYSWIM ! )

I think this might be the topic for my next thread...

Hmm, well I wouldn't say slim, but for most of my adult life I have been at the upper end of the "healthy" weight range. On the couple of occasions where I have started to exceed the healthy range, I have taken action and brought my weight back down. I have a very healthy appetite, especially just now as I am breastfeeding. I take the same approach of not commenting on how much/little my mindees have eaten and try to impress upon them that it is all about balance and not to focus on the "good food" and "bad food" thing.

DS does this all the time. We too take it as a sign he has had enogh and remove him from the highchair. Yesterday he went one step further and chucked the plate (plastic) along with the remaining food onto the floor and the plate broke. At least it saved on the washing up .

oh that is SOOOOOOO right mawbroon what a very sensible attitude. building up a healthy attitude to food rather than this "one more mouthful" thing is so very important imho.

I am just wording an OP for a new thread.... gimme 5 minutes...

Here's a related thread on encouraging healthy attitudes towards eating. I'd be grateful for comments there.

My DS1 did this for 18 months. But it was not dropping it on the floor it was throwing it anywhere around the kitchen. Using the plate like a frisby. But all his bad behaviour has always ben more servere thatn most..