Getting Your Toddler to Sit in a Highchair
How do you get your toddler to sit in the highchair?
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This is a question I get asked all the time. It really is all about consistency and follow through. I know, I know, I say that all the time and I will keep saying it. When they are not ready to get in the chair and they start throwing a tantrum... narrate their feelings: βI see that you are upset and not ready to eat yet. Mommy is going to sit down to eat until you and your body are calm.β Then ignore and let them express their frustration in a safe environment. Then depending on the child's age, check-in again after ~30-60 seconds. βAre you ready to join mommy to eat?β If they are still screaming, say, "I see that you are still frustrated or mad. Your body is not calm. When you are calm, mommy can help you." Then you wait and check-in again.
By letting them express their frustration and calm themselves down, they will eventually stand up and/or point to the chair and want to join you. It is really important to have them eat in their highchair because
1) it is a choking hazard to run around and eat, and
2) because it should signify that it is not time to play, it is time to sit down and enjoy a meal. π₯π₯
However, that is not to say that mealtime isn't fun. It really takes effort from a parent to set the scene for mealtime. π©βπ³πͺπ¨βπΎ
Just like when you are sleeping, you set the tone for tranquility and relaxation, you need to do the same thing for eating...Comment below if you want suggestions on how to do this β¬οΈβ¬οΈβ¬οΈ
plate: Innobaby
highchair: Inglesina
bib: oxotot