BLW - what if food's not so much fun when they're one?!! And where does formula/cows milk fit in?

[unyummy]

My da is a year old, we started BLW at 6 months and it all went swimmingly until a few months ago when he started rejecting stuff he loved previously, throwing it straight on the floor. He also recently started climbing out of his chair within about 30 secs of starting the meal which doesn't help as i have to keep putting him back (he will then start eating again, but try and climb out at what seems like random times). And he's been teething on and off which i think is a contributing factor. He does eat but it's become very erratic and i'm starting to lose confidence and eyeing up jars of babyfood !!.

He's still on 4 bottles of milk a day, we've started to introduce cows milk once or twice a day but i'm worrying now that he's not going to be getting the right nutrients from cows milk and small amounts of food, if we start to increase the cows milk. Can anyone offer any advice?

My advice would be (and I am totally unqualified and know nothing) that you need to separate mealtime behaviour and eating. I don't think the getting out of the highchair has anything to do with food - he's just bored, and wants to try out his new climbing skill.

Try grazing rather than meals. Try having meals as picnics. Try healthy snacks in plastic tubs in front of the TV. Lots of variety in food and setting. Give him cutlery to buy. Keep it casual and unless the behaviour is totally unacceptable just ignore it. If I recall correctly the 12-18 month period is when their eating becomes unbearably messy and hideous but they get through it. Just don't invest in expensive carpets in this period .

Cows milk is fine at this age. Just don't let him fill up too much on it. I think a pint maximum is what's recommended.

My DD is just coming up for 14 months. She still has early am (5-6am ish) and bedtime bottles. Plus milk overnight. And goes through phases of wanting milk for one of her naps during the day!

She now has a mainly cows milk, with formula overnight as it's easier.

She does have a good appetite, but I've found she is starting to get bored with the same routine. She'd taken to trying to steal DH's breakfast, but then when I'd do her her's she'd not be interested. Even if it was exactly the same thing. I was getting annoyed, and then I realised that given she'd just got up and was merrily playing...she probably just didn't want to be bunged in her highchair for half an hour! So I've taken to just putting a little plate on the side with a drink, and she can come and go as she pleases. Much more relaxed, and she's eating more

I think you could be right, T O S (good name btw), i'll try and do that a bit i just always worry about him roaming with food, we have wooden floors but stupidly a precious rug near where we eat., was all good when i just had a mat under his highchair and could keep it contained. Also whats a bit irksome is that the whole BLW thing is that you are all supposed to be able to eat with eachother in a cosy family situation - guess i just need to be realistic!!