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Behaviour/development

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Screaming to sit on my lap at mealtimes

2 replies

Loops81 · 20/04/2019 10:01

Advice please! My 19 m/o is going through a really frustrating phase at mealtimes. She’ll sit in her high chair, have a few bites then start stretching out her arms and howling to sit in my lap. If I put her in my lap she may then eat a bit more, but also squirms around, stands up etc and we both end up covered in food and cross. If I leave her in the chair she just gets even more worked up and won’t eat anything else. If I tell her the meal is over and put her down to play, she shrieks and demands to be picked up. I don’t want her to get into the habit of sitting on me (although I wouldn’t mind if she actually finished her meal and didn’t get it all over me!) but leaving her there howling isn’t a good option either. She has always been a pretty good eater and fine in her high chair up to now so I know it’s a phase - just need to know the best way to navigate it. I want to stay calm and keep mealtimes relaxed but it’s very difficult when every meal ends with a tantrum over nothing.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Goldmandra · 24/04/2019 23:40

I would get her out of the high chair but for a cuddle, not to eat. Sit away from food to hold her. If she wants food,she goes back in the high chair.

MumUnderTheMoon · 25/04/2019 17:50

I'd let her scream. In all honesty it's a power play and your the adult so let her shout, if you keep picking her up she'll keep shouting. Other than that you could feed her separately from you for a while. I did this. Gave dd her meals and ate mine when she was napping or in bed for the night.

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