Handling Challenging Mealtime Behaviors

Tips for getting mealtime meltdowns under control. 

Oct. 18, 2022

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

Sometimes (or maybe all the time) the dinner table can feel like a battle zone. On top of flying noodles and ponds of sauce on the floor, your little one may be screaming bloody murder about having to sit still or throwing a fit about their food options. If mealtime meltdowns are a regular part of eating, try these following solutions to get a handle on difficult mealtime behaviors! 

Baby Led Weaning

Picky eating is one of the biggest challenges that parents face when their children are weaning. It can be hard to keep up as babies develop taste preferences and adopt specific eating habits. When children refuse to eat your way, it might be time to let them eat their way. Baby led weaning (BLW) is an approach to weaning that lets kids take the wheel when it comes to mealtime. BLW can be especially useful for fussy babes who could benefit from a bit more independence while eating. 

Alternate Seating Options

High chairs aren’t the answer for everyone, and some children may prefer less restrictive seating – especially as they grow. If loosening straps and adjusting trays don’t seem to work, then alternate seating may be the answer. Booster seats can help growing children not only feel more comfortable but also make them feel more included at the table. It’s only natural that our babes want to mimic our behavior as they grow, and that includes how they’re seated during mealtimes. Use a baby bib during the transition, however, because messes can and will happen as your child adjusts to a new normal. 

Pre-meal Activities

If your little one treats mealtime like a sport, then engaging in some pre-meal activities may help get rid of excess energy before they sit down to eat. Just as you might encourage play to make bedtime easier, expending energy prior to eating can make mealtime a smoother process. If throwing food or pushing cups over is your kid’s idea of fun, offer ways to physically engage beforehand so that they’ve gotten those urges out of the way. For some children, this will be as simple as playing toss for a few minutes while others will want something a bit more involved. Some kids are more interested in the mess they can make, and getting down and dirty with finger paint (or even food!) can be a great way to get creative and use up some of that never ending energy that they seem to have. A full-length bib can make the transition from activities to mealtime even easier, as full-coverage bibs keep clothes protected from spills and other mishaps that happen on the playmat or at the dinner table! 

Less Messy Foods

Sometimes, kids just want to have fun with their food. And that’s okay! In fact, you might even see it as a positive sign that your child is associating food and mealtime with fun – even if post-meal clean up can be a headache. In addition to using a full-coverage bib, select foods that will allow your little one to have fun with their food and minimize clean up for you. For instance, crackers and peanut butter can quickly turn into a sticky, crumbly mess. Try carrot sticks and hummus instead, which can offer a similar eating experience while making clean up much less messy.