17 mo. throwing food

I thought it was a phase but he does this at every meal for a while now and it's getting harder to ignore. He will look at me, laugh (I mean crack up like it's the best thing ever) and throw it off his tray even if I know he is still hungry. I will take him out of his highchair but I have let him eat on the go which is not helping the situation at all. (In my defense he was just out of the hospital and needed to gain some weight back)DH's solution is to end the meal when he starts throwing food and not let him eat at all unless he's in his high chair. We're on day 2 of enforcing this and I know he's not eating enough - I just hope he gets it soon....something tells me we're on the right track but I think I have a lot to learn about toddler maniuplation. Any advice here ladies and gents???

Re: 17 mo. throwing food

I would be careful about disciplining when it comes to food, throwing food is normal for kids, how else are they going to learn how far different types of food will go??

My worry regarding discipline and mealtime is that it will lead to eating problems in the future.

Re: 17 mo. throwing food

My worry is that he will toss food off his plate and then try to eat it off the floor when he is 5 yrs of age!

Re: 17 mo. throwing food

I think you have the right idea. In my opinion it is never to early to teach manners and proper behavior. Here are some things that work for us:

Only give one piece at a time. Yes, you need to sit there like a hawk while they eat, but if there is less to toss, they are less likely to do it.

My DD is 15 months and insists on feeding herself with the spoon. Othewise she rebels by throwing food. Hand over the cup of applesause or yogurt or whatever and let him eat. It is the messiest thing you'll ever see, but it makes them happy.

Distraction. Read a book while he sits in his chair and eat. Do a puppet show.

Otherwise, when the food starts flying, dinner is over. THat is the rule in our house.