Do you let your LO's?

I was wondering what other mom's do when it comes to this situation. I really don't want my kids to get in the habit of playing with a toy while they're eating but for one that's the only way he'll eat sometimes; it's not all the time but enough. He will take his bottle just fine but after a few bites of solids he starts whining and throwing his hands up. I know he can eat more but am not sure why he doesn't want to. So sometimes I will give him a toy to keep him busy and then he eats just fine. Do you think I should keep doing the toy when he does this or just stop feeding him at that point?? Thanks for any thoughts!

 

I would let mine have a toy while they ate if it helped them to eat more.

 

We don't do toys during the meal but if they are done and don't want Puffs or the little mesh feeders and I want to eat my meal then I'll give them toys.

 

After meals but while they were waiting for us to finish, then sometimes. Otherwise, no, it always seemed to be to much of a distraction.

 

i voted no, but i do sometimes let them play with the lids/empty containers of babyfood when they aren't done eating but are tired of sitting in the chair. it usually distracts them just enough to get in those last few bites...

 

I never really did, but, I would do what works for you and your babies!

 

I voted no, i have tried this but just ended up wrestling the monkeys hands, feet and a toy aswell.. it just makes things worse for us. I wish it did work :-(

 

No, not toys (that would just make mine less likely to eat), but I do let them play with a spoon sometimes. That has always worked well as a distraction for me and it also lets them practice holding a spoon and getting it to their mouth. If that's not working then I just try and distract them by pointing out and talking about things in the room.
However if a toy is what works well for you then use it. I don't think you need to stop feeding him at the point where you're giving him the toy-if he really didn't want to eat then he wouldn't eat even with the toy. Some babies just need that little distraction.

 

I usually I don't give them toys, but today I gave them each a spoon, the same thing I'm using to feed them. This way they have their hands occupied and not in their mouths Maybe this way they will learn how to use them someday.