Throwing Food on Floor!

Updated on May 12, 2007
J.T. asks from Joshua, TX
6 answers

My 17 month old throws food on the floor everytime he eats. I am trying to break him of doing this. I have tried telling him no, thats not nice, getting him down whether he is finished eating or not. I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions. I don't remember my 7 year old intentionally throwing food in the floor when he was little. Is it normal for them to throw food intentionally at this age? I have also tried ignoring it for a few days. It didn't change anything. Maybe I should try it longer?

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C.W.

answers from Dallas on

I had the same problem with my little boy at that age. I would give him a few pieces of food at a time, not the whole plate at once. When he would drop the food over the edge he would look at me to see of I was watching. I would squeeze his hand and tell him, "Food stays on the table", in a stern voice so he would know that I was not playing. He stopped when he noticed that I would not stand for it. The hand squeeze is not too hard just enough to get his attention. It worked for us. Good luck!

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C.P.

answers from San Diego on

My daughter (now 20 months old) started doing this a while back too. She threw EVERYTHING on the floor we put in front of her! Now when we feed her, we have started just putting a few pieces of food on her tray so she won't toss it all on the floor. Otherwise, it's like a game for her and it's fun to play in her food if she has her whole plate in front of her. I started putting her in time out. I'd warn her the first one or two times and the next time she threw food on the floor, she went to time out. Many evenings at dinner, she went to bed without food too, because she continually threw it all on the floor. I think it's part of their discovery phase and they'll eventually grow out of it. But limiting what we put in front of her is the only way I've been able to control it.

Good luck!

-Char

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

Wow, good luck. My son's terrible 2's started at 17 months. He turns 3 in July and they show no signs of dissapating. LOL He throws anything he can get his hands on... sippy cups, legos, balls, etc. It's insane... I've tried everything I can but nothing has worked. I just keep saying that "this too shall pass" and try to remain calm. :) Good luck...

Only suggestion I have is to get a dog! :) Least you won't have to clean it up then! ha! :)

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T.T.

answers from Dallas on

Hi J.! You could try ignoring him. If he's getting a reaction, whether good or bad, it might be "egging" him on. Not sure if this will work, but it's something to try! Good luck!!

God Bless You!
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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

It's sooooo normal. One way to curb it is just offer a couple bites of food at a time. For some reason it seems like a plate or tray of food is overwhelming, and more of an invitation to play than to eat.
Other than that, removing him from the table when he starts to throw food is a good idea. If he is a distraction or gets into trouble while you're trying to finish your meal, you might consider putting him in a playpen until you're ready for him. Just say "Ok, dinner is over! It's playpen time!"

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L.

answers from Dallas on

We get down on the floor and I have him help clean up the mess

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