Feeding time with your baby can be a messy adventure, but those seemingly annoying behaviors are crucial for their development. Let’s explore some of these frustrating yet important milestones that happen during feeding between 0-18 months.
While this may seem like a benefit at first, it can be harmful in the long term. It can be especially problematic when parents are relying on screen time to help get their kids to eat and then have trouble breaking the habit once they reach school-aged years.
In the meantime, it can also become harder and harder to distract your child from their screen because they don’t want to stop watching their favorite show or playing their favorite app. This is a slippery slope because I have often seen this become a long term habit that is really difficult to break.
1. Throwing Food on the Floor
Why It Happens: Around 6-12 months, babies may start tossing food from their high chair.
Developmental Benefits:
- Object Permanence: Helps babies understand that objects exist even when they can’t see them.
- Cause and Effect: Teaches that actions have consequences (food falls, and maybe you react).
How to Respond:
- Stay Calm and Positive: “Oops, the banana fell! Let’s try to keep it on the tray.”
- Teach Consequences: Gently explain that food is for eating, not throwing.
How Not to Respond:
- React with Anger: Scolding can make the baby anxious.
- Immediate Cleanup: Constantly removing food can discourage exploration.
2. Spitting Food Out
Why It Happens: Babies start solid foods around 6 months.
Developmental Benefits:
- Texture Exploration: Helps babies learn about different food textures.
- Taste Testing: Allows them to understand and decide what they like or dislike.
How to Respond:
- Stay Patient: Allow exploration without pressure. “Good job trying the broccoli!”
- Encourage Tasting: Praise for trying new foods, even if they spit them out.
How Not to Respond:
- Show Frustration: Displaying annoyance can make them reluctant to try new foods.
- Force Feeding: Insisting can create a negative association with mealtime.
3. Playing with Food
Why It Happens: Babies often squish, smear, and explore their food around 9-12 months.
Developmental Benefits:
- Sensory Development: Engaging multiple senses helps with overall sensory processing.
- Fine Motor Skills: Picking up and manipulating food improves coordination and dexterity.
How to Respond:
- Encourage Exploration: Allow some mess. “How does that feel?”
- Set Boundaries: Guide them to eat while they play. “Food stays on the tray.”
How Not to Respond:
- Discourage Exploration: Constantly cleaning up can make them less curious.
- Show Displeasure: Negative reactions can make them anxious about mealtime.
4. Refusing Food
Supportive Response:
- Respect Preferences: Offer alternatives and respect their choices. “Not a fan of peas today? Let’s try some carrots.”
- Stay Calm: Don’t force them to eat. Offer the food again later.
- Create Routine: Maintain a consistent mealtime routine.
Impact:
- Development: Encourages autonomy and decision-making.
- Bonding: Builds trust and respect for their preferences.
Harmful Response:
- Force Feeding: Can lead to resistance.
- React Negatively: Makes mealtime stressful.
Impact:
- Development: Can cause food aversions and power struggles.
- Bonding: Creates a negative association with mealtime.
5. Messy Eating
Supportive Response:
- Embrace the Mess: Understand it’s part of learning. Use bibs and mats.
- Encourage Self-Feeding: Let them try feeding themselves, offering help as needed.
- Positive Reinforcement: Praise their efforts. “You’re doing a great job with the spoon!”
Impact:
- Development: Improves coordination and self-feeding skills.
- Bonding: Promotes independence and confidence.
Harmful Response:
- Criticize the Mess: Can discourage self-feeding.
- Over-Control: Taking over feeding can hinder development.
Impact:
- Development: Limits independence and motor skill development.
- Bonding: Can create a negative atmosphere, reducing the joy of eating.
Conclusion
Embrace these milestones with patience and positivity to support your child’s development and strengthen your bond. Happy feeding!
