15mth DS testing me....what would you do??

[onadietcokebreak]

My sons mealtime is becoming increasing difficult...its just like a battle every time.

I only feed him two days a week as the rest of the time he is at nursery or with his dad. I know this could be part of the problem. He eats like an angel away from me.

Hes at the age where he likes to feed himself, first with a spoon and then his hands!

The problem is at tea times hes started to put food in his mouth take it out and throw it. Tip his plate all over him or chuck it at me. Its doesnt matter what food it is.....he still does it.

What can i do? Ive taken all the food off him and not offered anthing else.

I feel bad that he night be hungry before he goes to bed but he does still have a beaker of milk before bed so that should fill him.

Please offer any advise you can cos right now I am dreading every meal time.

I guess he senses mum is the softest

What you're doing sounds fine as long as you don't make a big battle or issue of it, just calmly remove.

Or you could sit him beside you and try passing one bit of food at a time so that he can't tip over; use the surface of the highchair as a plate so the potential for mishief is reduced?

stick to finger foods that are not a dreadful mess if tipped!

If he has fingers foods hes fine, even good with breakfast and yoghurts.

I competely ignored him today after telling him off. removed food and then served it again on tray ( he had tipped bowl over onto tray) he started throwing it again so removed and that was it.

He is gone to bed on just a beaker of milk....I feel so bad

don't feel bad, just give him finger foods!

Personally I think he's not that hungry at tea times. I had exactly the same thing at this age with my ds; some kids just seem to 'fuel up' during the day and while we think they need breakfast, lunch and dinner, they actually don't! If he was that hungry at tea time he would eat well like he does with breakfast/yogs etc.

I think make sure you give him the most nutritious breakfast and lunch you can, then just consider yourself 'off duty' as far as food is concerned; give him finger foods for dinner, job done, no angst

As with everything, it's a phase! His habits will change as he gets older IMO

I have had this! One thing that sometimes works for us is sitting him up to the table with us, not giving him anything other than a toy, then start eating our own tea etc. He looks interested, grads 'ours' and sometimes tucks in. Doesn't always work but its something else to try!

I think you have all given great advice, maybe hes not that hungry. He went to sleep in the end okay so obviously skipping that meal hasnt affected him.
I think he is just testing the boundaries.

I will do what Leo9 also suggested as it is the tea time when hes the worst....will give him banana breadsticks etc for tea.

He eats well at nursery, far more than what he ever does at home so I know he wont starve.

I have a 15m old ds who is going through this as well, I just leave him to it. Oh he looked lovely last night caked in spahetti bolognaise but he enjoyed himself lol