Mother and daughter problems??

Question

My daughter is only 16 months old and already we are going head to head!! The last few days, she will not eat for me. She comes to the table, and everything I put in front of her she throws on the floor - Deliberately!!! I ask her calmly if she wants more, she screams, so I ignore her and continue eating my meal. It usually ends up with me getting her out of her chair because she is not eating and throwing food. I try so hard not to react because I know it's attention seeking behaviour and very common at this age (no less frustrating!!). When her Dad comes home, she will sometimes eat for him and it frustrates me!!! I love my daughter, we very rarely raise our voice to her, but is this normal? I'm not sure how to resolve it! Help!

Answer 1

trust me, at that age, the baby won't starve.  Put the food in front of her and if she refuses to eat, take it away.

Good luck

PS you might also cut down on bottles and give fewer snacks between meals.

Answer 2

There are several things going on here.  First, you're not going head to head with her.  Stop telling yourself that because you'll get it into your own head that you are having problems.  You're not, it's normal.  

Next , she wants your attention.  Give her good attention - talk with her while you both eat.  Reward good behavior with smile and laughter and above all, don't get frustrated (easier said than done!!).  When you know she's done eating, let her leave the table.  Have you ever wondered if she's not hungry at the time you're feeding her? (Just a thought)

And remember kids reserve their "worst" behavior for the one they know who loves them unconditionally.

Answer 3

if she sees you are getting fraustrated she will intentionally not eat from you.  try feeding her outside or at the beach. mayb she does like the table setting

Answer 4

First i do not know if you still feed her with milk?  She might not be hungry or do not like the food you serve. Give some color to the food at that age it usually search for attention and new things. You might not be aware some magic trick like playing. Show her that you love her appreciate her being with you during eating time. Don"t feed her between meal.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have a Daddy's girl on your hands.  My daughter is the same way.  On the days my husband has off we have no problem getting her to eat but if he's not here she generally won't sit and eat for me.

Edit: To the lady that said "just put her in her crib when she misbehaves" I disagree with you.  A crib is not a form of punishment.  So if you put her in there because she's "misbehaving" she is going to have a hard time going to sleep on her own because she is going to think you are punishing her.  

When she throws her food, don't get her more.  Excuse her from the table and try again later.

Answer 6

Good News! This isn't the beginning of the teenage rebellious streak! Around this age, most toddlers reach a temporary plateau in growing...so they will not eat as much. All my kids when through this, and with my first, I freaked out! (Why isn't he eating??) The old adage is: They will eat when they are hungry! (Which is why she might be eating for dad and not you, she might just be hungry later in the day.) So at this point, I just always make sure she has the opportunity to eat. I disagree a little bit with the previous poster--snacks are okay, as long as they are healthy. If your daughter didn't eat much at lunch, but wants an apple slice at 3ish, by all means give it to her--she's getting her fruits in for the day! There might be a little bit to the Daddy's Girl idea, but rest assured--your daugther will eat when she is hungry. Usually around 3 is when I start insisting that they eat when the rest of the family eats. By then they are old enough to start understanding our rules/structure. Good Luck!

Answer 7

I would put her in her crib every single time she started this behavior.  Let her sit there for a few minutes till she calms down, and then give her another chance to sit and eat.  If she throws food again, put her back in the crib until she gets the idea that she will not get what she wants if she continues to be naughty.

Answer 8

this is the age of picky eaters. Ask her if she wants to eat, if she does not, let her continue to play. Try putting some crackers, cubed small bites of cheese, cereal in a bowl some where she plays, and she will eat when she's ready. Alot of people may look down on this but right now, to get thru this time of no eating, snacking is ok.