Baby throws foods on the ground at meals? Do not panic, during the food diversification led by the child, it can happen. By acting like that, baby tries to tell you something and we will help you understand what he really wants.
Usual behavior
This completely normal attitude can come from several things and develops according to the age of baby and its evolution.
Baby throws foods on the ground to attract your attention. By realizing this gesture, he knows very well that you are going to tell him something and therefore interact with him.
This period is also part of baby's evolution. When he plays and drops a toy on the ground, baby realizes that he makes noise. He discovers that by falling an object on the ground there will be a reaction in contact with the ground, but also a reaction from those around him.
Letting go will have to be well mastered so as not to get upset constantly on baby who simply tries to get a message across. Breathe, it's going to go 🙂
What does baby try to tell me?
Before his 12 months
At first, baby's attitude is simply a lack of coordination and movement control by eating. He drops his food involuntarily, because he does not yet master like a pro the motor skills of his hand and his fingers.
Around his 9 months, baby will start to experiment. It was at this point that he discovers that objects make noise by falling and especially the papa and mom's reaction which collects the object. For him, it will just be a game and he will be happy to throw the food on the ground ...
His attitude can also translate that baby is no longer hungry even if for you, he has eaten only a minimal quantity. During the food diversification led by the child, baby will learn the concept of satiety and will eat his hunger during each meal.
By throwing a food on the ground, baby can also make you understand that he has a desire for more autonomy at the time of meals. The introduction of cutlery is a good way to limit food on the floor of the kitchen. Baby will be able to manage his spoon or fork himself and eat like a big one!
Fatigue or boredom can be expressed by baby by throwing foods on the ground instead of eating them. Baby is tired? Take it out of its chair and go back to the meal when baby is well awake. Baby is bored while eating? Make him discover new flavors, textures, etc. Play with colors on your plate to attract your attention.
How to react?
The best reaction you may have must be patient. Baby will test your limits and there is no point in dispute. Rather try to understand his behavior by meeting his needs.
When baby drops the food, give it a minute on the ground. Baby will realize that food does not come back when it falls to the ground. Explain to her gently: "When you launch your food, it falls on the ground. You have to leave it on the table to be able to eat it."
Repropos baby food after explanation. Maximum 2 to 3 times, there is no point in ordering. You will give the remains of the baby's plate to the next meal.
The meal is a pleasant and friendly moment that we share with the family. Baby takes pleasure in discovering the different foods with all their textures, colors, etc. This moment of sharing should not become a moment of frustration or distrust for baby.
After his 12 months
After his 12 months, baby will try to draw your attention by launching food on the ground. Do not commit the error of interacting with him, so no he will start again!
Baby plays with food and then throws it on the ground? By acting in this way, baby tries to say that he wants to get out of the table to go play.
His behavior can also say that he is no longer hungry or simply that baby does not appreciate a food offered on his plate. Offer him the same ingredient during a next meal to be sure he doesn't like food.
How to react?
Before you start the meal, remind your little the instructions for the smooth running of a meal.
If despite everything, an ingredient falls to the ground, remove his plate. Baby will understand that by throwing an ingredient on the ground there will be a consequence.
Baby is trying to draw your attention with this attitude? Ignore him and above all do not laugh, because for him it is an interaction and he will have won.
Do not hesitate to ask baby questions to find out if he is no longer hungry, if he has finished eating, etc. He will make you understand by his attitude that he is no longer hungry or precisely that he still wants it.
Head the attitude of a baby asking him to help you pick up food after the meal.
Put forward the good behavior of other family members who share the meal: “Bravo, dad, you do not throw food on the ground!” By applauding it. It will make baby want to be congratulated also when he has eaten without bringing a single food on the ground.
And above all, do not forget to enhance the right attitude of baby at the table: "I like it when you do not throw food on the ground", "Bravo! You ate like a big one without bringing food on the ground". Baby will be happy to see that you are proud of him, and he will no longer throw food on the ground.
Good equipment to avoid having too much on the ground!
If you really bother you to crack the food on the ground and you are on the verge of cracking, it is possible to limit the damage by being well equipped!
With the plates or bowls with a suction cup, baby will not be able to take pleasure in throwing it on the ground. The plate will remain on the table or the tray of its chair. Only a few foods will end on the ground.
The platforms to be placed on the chair can limit the risk that food will be found on the ground. Part can simply fall on the tray located all around baby.
Discover all the equipment to start well or continue the BLW in our dedicated article.
PSST, keep your cool, it's just a period to spend 🙂
Photo: © Moon and the other
4 responses
Hello, Thank you for this article, I would like to ask a question; My baby of 10 months throws foods on the ground at every meal at any time and this for months .. I have always been told that it is passenger but it does not pass 🙁 is this normal? She throws then look at the food on the ground observes her and wants to take it back. It's hard to stay patient every time 😬mercii
Good morning,
Indeed, our little loulous have the chic to put our patient to the test! What do you do once she threw foods on the ground?
I tell her not to do that, I explain to her that she can give me the food if she does not want to eat. I give her food on her plate if she threw everything.
Now I can understand that she will throw it before she does it, I try to stop it before holding out my hand I tell me if you don't want. Sometimes she gives but she continues to throw away anyway.
Courage, this phase does not last forever! We are also in the middle of our latest.