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

[hedges_princess]

Thanks girls I thought I was alone on this one.
It really bothers me that he does it because one, he is making a mess, two he is wasting food after all my efforts and three because I worry that he isnt eating enough.
I am sure that if he was hungry enough that he wouldnt throw it but still... how can I not worry.
He too throws his toys and anything he can find out of the cot
Its drives me insane.

[fionas]

Yep I think at that age it's cause and effect so I was pretty lenient with DD.

But now she's had plenty of time to learn about cause and effect, so I'll stop dinner too because usually it's a sign that she's full. She's stopped doing that so much though and will instead try to put her bowl on the table (from her high chair) - that's her sign that she's finished.

It was pretty funny though when she'd throw food on the floor and then pat mine or DP's head when we were cleaning it up as if to say, "good daddy/mummy for cleaning up." Cheeky blighter!

[luna moth]

I went to tough school on this one too. It is SO common - you should have seen the floors when I used to let 10 one year olds feed themselves! I don't even give chances - it's part of learning about cause and effect. They're too little to understand three strikes philosophy so they just end up getting mixed messages.
Sometimes it's hard to work out how they grow between the ages of 1 and 2, when hardly any food goes in their mouth, but they all do. Don't fret too much about it. You don't want to end up with food issues.
A plastic tablecloth under the high chair is good too. Hose it off, along with the baby!

[mgm]

I recently took dd out of the high chair and started letting her eat at the little table with her big brother and guess what - she pretty much stopped throwing food on the floor! of course a lot still falls down... and she still plays with her food... but she loves sitting there and so far she hasn't wandered off during dinner. so, maybe you could try letting your baby eat at a 'real' table and see what happens! or you could just ignore it and wait it out - they do stop throwing stuff eventually. a few sheets of newspaper under the high chair are helpful in minimising mess. good luck!