Fighting being in high chair

My LOs are 10.5 months old and DS has recently started to protest when we put him in his high chair for his meals. He arches his back and starts crying as he obviously prefers to play instead of eat! He will eat fine once we distract him with a toy, but I feel like we´re taking a step backwards as I removed all toys at mealtimes as our pedi said it wasnt advisable as they´d be more interested in playing than eating.

Also, DS is at the age when he doesn´t like to feel restricted and he throws a fit when he can´t get where or what he wants!

We never had a problem with this before and was wondering if any of you have experienced this? If so, what did you do?

TIA!

 

Are you giving him foods to self-feed with Rachel? Maybe a spoon and bowl to keep him occupied?

 

Becky: I dont give him foods to self feed with (pedi has advised me not to even though I think he´s ready). I do give him a spoon and let him look into the bowl and feel his food!

 

We had little suction cup toys that attached to the highchair. They were a great diversion at that age. I think they actually ate more because they would sit longer in the chair. Now that they are older, we have a no toys at the table rule and they are fine with that.

We also put some finger foods out as well for them to "play" with.

 

Becky & Rachel: thanks for your advice. I may try the finger food after all. I think our pedi is behind the times anyway. Can I ask what finger foods you used?

 

HERE is a whole sticky full of finger food ideas. I'm not sure what you have over there, but we started with Gerber Puffs. They dissolve very easily and are easy to pick up.

Just curious, when does the ped recommend finger foods?

 

Ellie is starting to hate eating in the high chair too. It's becoming very stressful. We've been doing finger foods since 9 months. Our pedi suggested it. We started with puffs around 7 months. Then, Cheerios. I found Mum Mums at Walmart and they love, love, love them. I shred chicken and they love that too. Basically, anything they can gum. I am running out of ideas and I feel like they are getting sick of what I'm feeding them. Bananas are a fav with one of them. Ellie doesn't like anything right now. She just likes to whine. Once she is out of the chair, she's fine. I also put their formula in sippies now, since they don't drink well from the bottle anymore. That's a whole other issue. I've tried toys and that helps to a point. I also have a toy with a suction cup. I give them a spoon when I feed them jarred food and that sometimes helps. It really depends. I'm hoping it's just a phase and she'll outgrow it soon. I'm starting to dread mealtimes.

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Apr 10 2009, 03:10 PM) [snapback]1267164[/snapback]
Just curious, when does the ped recommend finger foods?


One pedi said 12 months (she´s a young Dr - in her 30s), the one we´re seeing now says 18 months (he´s older - in his 50s)

I give mine biscuit and DS will eat it, DD doesn´t as she doesnt like the sensation of bits in her mouth. She also hates yoghurt but DS loves it. DS has tried bread and DH once gave him some chocloate ice cream to try which he LOVED! I dont encourage that too often though! In Spain they have a very conservative attitude towards feeding babies and are shocked when I say that people start at 9 months and that I have a friend (in the UK) who never gave her baby pureed food and moved straight to table food at 6 months. I feel caught in the middle due to everyone badgering me here. I really need to listen to my own common sense and my babies as I know DS would probably quite happily experiment with different foods. DD isn´t quite there yet though I would still offer her them at the same time as DS.

Thanks for the link! I dont know what Gerber Puffs are but Im sure I can find something!

 

QUOTE(christie76 @ Apr 10 2009, 04:08 PM) [snapback]1267263[/snapback]
Ellie is starting to hate eating in the high chair too. It's becoming very stressful. We've been doing finger foods since 9 months. Our pedi suggested it. We started with puffs around 7 months. Then, Cheerios. I found Mum Mums at Walmart and they love, love, love them. I shred chicken and they love that too. Basically, anything they can gum. I am running out of ideas and I feel like they are getting sick of what I'm feeding them. Bananas are a fav with one of them. Ellie doesn't like anything right now. She just likes to whine. Once she is out of the chair, she's fine. I also put their formula in sippies now, since they don't drink well from the bottle anymore. That's a whole other issue. I've tried toys and that helps to a point. I also have a toy with a suction cup. I give them a spoon when I feed them jarred food and that sometimes helps. It really depends. I'm hoping it's just a phase and she'll outgrow it soon. I'm starting to dread mealtimes.


:hug: Oh I totally understand. My DD is a picky eater. I dont enjoy mealtimes either... Have you tried toys that have lights and music? Mne have a music box each with buttons to press and things to turn and they are a life saver. I´ve abandoned the pedi´s advice and have gone back to entertainment at mealtimes. I need to keep my sanity! LOL! I´ve even fed mine in their babywalkers on occasions!
What are Mum Mums? Mine drink well out of their sippies but we´re still on bottles for their milk, with the exception of the mid-morning snack when I give it to them in their sippies. I need to find some sippy cups that hold 8oz+ - I havent found them yet. I want to wean them onto drinking their breakfast out of sippies before doing the bedtime one.
Hang in there, we will survive this phase!

 

Wow, 18 months! Funny how different things are.

QUOTE
I really need to listen to my own common sense and my babies


Yes! I don't think there really is a right or wrong, just listen to your babies and that mommy instinct!

Gerber Puffs They really are great for helping them practice, and I haven't met a baby yet that doesn't like them!

 

As far as the toy is concerned, does the toy distract? If the toy doesn't distract and does help keep him in the chair I say let him keep the toy. This could be a stage and until he gets out of this stage, he can keep a small toy. Once he can stay in the chair, then take the toy away. Just another suggestion, I'm kind of at the pick your battles stage, if it works then go with it.

 

QUOTE(Utopia122 @ Apr 10 2009, 05:24 PM) [snapback]1267390[/snapback]
As far as the toy is concerned, does the toy distract? If the toy doesn't distract and does help keep him in the chair I say let him keep the toy. This could be a stage and until he gets out of this stage, he can keep a small toy. Once he can stay in the chair, then take the toy away. Just another suggestion, I'm kind of at the pick your battles stage, if it works then go with it.


Yes, the toy distracts and Im sticking with it for now. Why make my life more difficult, right!