What to do about a child that throws food on the floor?

[JellyBean]

It all started about 3 weeks ago. My 14+ month year old who has always adored food, and barely made any mess (coz it all went in his mouth) and cries whenever he sees anyone eating has started the delightful habit of throwing food on the floor. He then leans over the high chair to check out the mess. He even throws off the food he really enjoys and then gets upset when there is no food on his tray to eat.
He does this in his room too - everytime I go into his room after a nap he has thrown his water bottle, blankets, and his toys onto the floor and is standing up just staring at it all.
My first thought was that this is just a stage, that he will grow out of it, but he just seems to be doing it more and more, and I am getting really sick and tired of putting my love and time into making yummy home-cooked meals that just end up on the floor.
I have tried saying 'No' loudly and firmly when he does it - which does not seem to phase him. I have also tried ignoring it, as I figured he may just be trying to get my attention. Last night I lost it a little and gave him a slap on the hand. Afterward I felt bad, but I didn't know what else to do...?? He will surely start waking up during the night if he doesn't get enough food into him??
What have others done in this situation?? Is there a 'right' way to handle the situation?

Any advice would be really appreciated!!

XX

[kirsty_lee]

I will be watching this thread closely, I have been wondering how to put a stop to this also. I can't even put a bowl with like sultanas or something on her high chair cause she will just throw the whole thing off the table. I've got to put them directly on the high chair table. She will still throw a few on the ground though which is just really frustrating. Plus her sippy cup etc as well

[Phteven]

I put a sheet out and let them sit on the floor to eat.
Once they finished I would shake the sheet out in the garden for the birds and chooks and then chuck the sheet in the next load of washing.

[~kellie~]

I also have this problem... must be a common stage???? I also worry that she isn't eating enough, cause everything I give her seems to end up on the floor

[[M]umma[M]ia]

Bron - but when they are on the floor, how do u get them to sit there and eat it and not end up with food all through the house?

[Phteven]

Bron - but when they are on the floor, how do u get them to sit there and eat it and not end up with food all through the house?

I just sat down with them.
I probably did end up with food all though the house on the odd occasion. if the weather is nice then eating outside is a good option - the ants and birds will eat up the 'mess'.

[Janie]

Um, get a dog!

I understand your concerns about him eating enough, but I don't think he'll starve himself. My DS went through the same thing for a few months, but is now pretty much back on track. I really, really think that kids pick up on your stress, so if you're fretting about his eating he's likely to eat even less!

And you know what? He's a boy, they love creating mess .

[JellyBean]

Well, as horrible as it sounds I'm glad to read I'm not the only one with this problem!!

Bron - that is not a bad idea. I was actually saying to DH last night that we will have to start putting a sheet down under his high chair when he eats!! Sigh....
Can't wait til this phase is over....

[Nelle]

Aiee I'm too tough for you guys - I would take the food away after a few strikes, and take bub out of the highchair - dinner over. Then we might try for dinner take 2 30min later.

I know for the eldest (who is older than your bub), I find it works giving him just a bit of food at a time, so he knows it's a valuable commodity, and then he's less likely to chuck it about. Your bub could think completely differently there though.

[Mez80]

Hi there..
My DD went through this stage too..and it was very frustrating to keep cleaning the cooked meals off the floor...but i got one of those rubber brooms with dustpan set..which made it easier to clean.. i didnt make a fuss when she did it bcoz i knew she wouldnt understand and i didnt want to give her any attention for it. The phase passed after about 2 months . I would give her small amounts of food at a time..so if some went on the floor..there was still some to give her..then when there was none left..meal time over.

[Lolli]

Hmm. A bit like Nelle, I'm tough on this one- one deliberate throw and that's it, meal is over, and we try again half hour later. If it happens again, then the meal is over again. I asked my chn about this one and she said "if they are really hungry, they won't throw their food" which I think is pretty true.

Mind you, that's for deliberate throwing, when he's doing it for a reaction or to make a mess, not the incidental messiness that comes with toddler meals.

[drbeee]

I ignore it.

I figure its a stage, and if I make a fuss, he will just think its an even grander game!

I give him small portions at a time, and figure if he's thrown it 3 times then he's not hungry any more.

Then I get the dogs in!