Knowledgeability Clarity of Response Politeness
10 10 10
Questioner: Jennifer
Subject: Food Throwing
Question: My daughter is just over 12 months and has been throwing food the last week or two. She may eat a bite or two and then flings the food onto the floor. I’ve tried telling her no and that doesn’t seem to work. I’ve also tried taking it away, waiting a few minutes and then giving it again.
That also doesn’t seem to work. I am even giving her foods that I know she has liked in the past. Any suggestions on how to stop this behavior? I know it’s probably a phase, but it’s getting more and more difficult to feed her.
Jennifer
Answer: Dear Jennifer:
You are not going to like my answer. If she throws the food either ignore the behavior or stop giving her food until she is really hungry.
She is not being bad, she is exploring her food. At this age food is more of an experience. She is just having fun with her food. She may even be enjoying the reaction from you when she throws her food. The look on your face, your body movements etc…or she is just having fun with her food the way she would if she were playing in the dirt.
Maybe she likes the texture…do you have lots of messy play times?
It is a phase, one you will someday miss believe it or not.
Try enjoying her messy time with her, eventually she will become more interested in her food for filling her up. In the meantime she won’t starve to death. A child’s stomach is only as big as their fist. Maybe she has too much food?
Enjoy!
M Kay Keller
