16 month old girl refuses to eat in high chair and off main meals

[Jools78]

Help! My 16 month old won't eat lunch or tea in her chair. She eats her porridge in the morning, but at other meals, says she's hungry but point blank refuses main meals, and often pudding. I am getting to wits end. She eats nutritious light snacks in between (toast, fruit, rice cakes, nut butter...) Where do you go after high chair if they just want to play and eat at same time. Help!

Just remember no child ever hamred themselves through self starvation. You could try her in 'big girl' chair with special cushions? Depends how you feel about allowing your child control.choice at meal time - we have no nonsense plat goes down if its not eaten its taken away. Reduce snacks or substitute these for fruit. It does not matter how they get there food groups as long as they get them. I allow dry snacks in living room - it suits me I can get on with other stuff if need be, I leave them out for him to pick at.

Get a booster seat that sits on a normal chair and have her be 'part of the table' as well iykwim? They want to be with you and part of everything at this stage.

Also, are you feeding her or are you allowing her to feed herself? My 17mo dd wont eat if I give her something, she has to do it herself!

Also, don't forget that they go through stages. Offer her something new and see if that's any better.

Alternate her weekly menu options so she isn't having the same things all the time - they get bored, they want to try new things.

My dd went through a stage of loving cheesy pasta with veg and also mashed potato with beans, she wont touch them at the minute - she's bored of them. I'll offer them in a week or so and she'll eat it -it's new again! Toddlers logic

Thanks CatchaStar, I think it might be time for a booster seat.

She eats herself with a spoon and fork. Always used to be really happy to get along with it, was even able to feed herself a whole thing of yoghurt without spilling a drop.

Will try her at the table tonight.

Anyone any recommendations for booster seat brands or things to look for?