ARRRGH Food issues...HELP please!!!

Ok, generally DS is a great eater. He eats most things and not very fussy at all.

The main complaint I have is that he will NOT sit in his high chair. He prefers to get a mouthful of food and then wander around, then come back for another mouthful, then wander round etc. I did not mind doing this too much cos he was happy and was eating so I wasn't too stressed. But now he has started taking the food out of his mouth (which I just put in there) looking at it and putting it back in. I wouldn't mind this if he was in his high chair but cos he is wandering around food is going everywhere, especially on me and it's driving me NUTS!!!!!!!

So how can I get him back in the high chair? He carries on a treat (lots of screaming etc, which I can't handle at dinner time) if I put him in there so I just cave and let him out. What do you suggest? Help me I'm begging you. I'm sick of wearing filthy clothes, being touched with dirty hands and cleaning up after hurricane Flynn...

Ah yes, the dreaded high chair. We, too, have these problems, sometimes the high chair is okay, often times it's obviously poison. I don't have any magic tricks, but I do insist that we sit somewhere to eat, otherwise we don't eat. Oftentimes, this means we're on the kitchen floor, and as long as he's sitting, then he gets food, but if he wanders away then the food dries up. Not easy though, and takes a lot of persistance. I still try to get at least one meal, usually dinner, at least started in the high chair, so that he gets the idea of sitting down for a meal with us both. We're early eaters, so this works for us, but might not for everyone.

Oh no, how annoying! I don't really have any suggestions! Could you distract him while he's in the highchair with a favourite toy, your mobile phone or something else that he finds irresistable? It sounds like Flynn is a man on the move and has more important things to do mum!

BTW, we have to catch up REALLY soon! Sorry I haven't caught up with you earlier, I have been in a state of hibernation trying to get through the first trimester LOL! I have bronchitis atm, but as soon as I'm better I'd love to see you guys again ;)

Some kids who hate highchairs are happy to sit at a child size table in a little chair. Perhaps it makes them feel more grown-up and normal. If you're not uncomfortable with using the tv as a tool, it may help if you allow the tv on while eating at first until he is used to the idea of sitting in one place - then you can phase it out.
Otherwise, you could try a booster seat, or pile of phone books, on your dining chair and wedge it between table and a wall for a bit of a safety/anti-wriggle factor - he may not like the feeling of being strapped in.
Like Jan said, being persistant and firm on whatever rule you decide on is going to help most in the long term. Easier said than done, I know. Good luck, hope something works for you. :D

This is a tricky one. I think it's important for them to sit while eating - it gets them used to meals as family occassions and is something they have to be able to do at kindy and school so it's easiest to get them used to it early. I found though that the boys preferred to be at the table rather than in a high chair. Initially we used the Phil & Ted's Me too seat which attaches to the table so they are sitting at the table with you. Then when they were a bit bigger they sat in a booster seat on a normal chair. This has worked very well for us actually, both starting sitting happily through a meal very early on.

Thanks for your reply's ladies.

I think I will try and have him sit at the table in a booster seat. I know I have to be consistent and firm, but that time of night is a killer and I cave so easily. I might pull out the ear plugs to make it a bit easier!

Thanks again.

Yes Trish I'd love to catch up soon :)