Toddler won’t sit still to eat!

[hm4912]

My 2 year old has recently started to become so fussy with food. She will barely touch her breakfast or lunch. She hates her high chair, we’ve tried her at a small table but she doesn’t sit still long enough, currently trialling a booster seat at the breakfast bar and eating every meal together, but again, she just wants out after 5 minutes. Is there anything else I can try or is this just normal behaviour for a toddler her age?

Can you put toys / play doh on the table with the food to help them sit longer ? Maybe change timings to when they are more tired ? Or after an activity
id not worry too much , toddlers are total wiggle monsters , my problem now is getting mine away from the table as they take ages !

My usual question with anything toddler and food related is this:

How much milk do they have roughly in 24 hours and which type?

She will grow out of it, just be patient and don’t let her see you getting stressed. Two year olds are masters of manipulation.

Does she go to nursery? They will absolutely not allow romping around with food. Apart from the mess, it’s a choking hazard.
You could ask what she sits in there.

Then let her eat for 5 minutes and be done. I wouldn’t expect a 2 year old to enjoy long meals. But don’t offer pudding, milk, snacks 20 minutes later if she’s hungry again. She can hop up and finish lunch. I wouldn’t get in the habit, unless she has SEN or you’ve been advised by professionals, of toys and screens to keep her eating longer.

I think some toddlers just do this.
I've had four children and they were all a bit different in terms of how much attention they gave to their meals.

Honestly, don't worry. Your child will grow out of this. Don't let them see that it bothers you, and don't offer milk or snacks afterwards.