https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:50:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765369 Sat, 05 Aug 2017 11:19:48 +0000 meadow 2765369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BadgerMom: I nurse them to sleep and overnight but all day long food is their sustenance - so they should be hungry enough for meals.</p> <p> @PawPrints: I think ending the meal is good - but I just struggle with punishing myself having hungry babies.....but I guess that is a short term problem and that is what I have to pay attention to. Right now I give meal time outs where I take all their food and don't give them anymore for a period of time when they start hurling their food.</p> <p>@bluestriped bee: I might try that yogurt idea! For now I've been preloading spoons and giving it to them. (As of the last 10 days or so....) and that has been working pretty well as far as them eating more yogurt - but they still make a huge mess of their bodies and throw the spoon a bit.</p> <p>So I guess I have another year of this or more...... time to suck it up and get used to it! haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765323 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 23:50:22 +0000 Portboston 2765323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My guy (now 2) is a hard fast rule follower (I guess my that's my gift for his horrific sleep!) so he's never been much of an intentional food dropper/thrower. However, accidents happen and of course there've been times where I've had to do some floor cleaning. Hes gotten LOADS better since he started using utensils. He learned to use a spoon around 12 months and a fork shortly after. He hates touching food so that was his motivation to learn to use them early! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765232 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 13:33:27 +0000 lioneyes 2765232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like around 2.25-2.5 it got cleaner? He definitely picks things up if he drops them off his plate, and a lot less falls on the floor. Still uses his shirt as a napkin which we are working on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765228 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 13:13:39 +0000 Alba4 2765228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like it got better around 3? DS2 is so messy right now too. He throws food on the floor as a game and likes to mash it into his hair. I don't have as many hand-me-down shirts from DS1 because they we're badly stained from this stage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765227 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 13:11:50 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2765227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think around age 2 they started using real plates at school so they kinda learned to not mess around so much. You also could try an EZPZ mat or something if you think part of the problem is food sliding around too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765222 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 12:38:14 +0000 brownepiano 2765222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't remember when it got better but my 3.5 year old is fairly neat now and when he makes a mess on purpose I have him clean it up. I still sweep after every meal with DS 2 though. I'm just happy that he's mostly stopped throwing his bowls on the floor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765211 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 12:10:52 +0000 Raspberry 2765211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Around his second birthday DS started becoming really interested in eating the food on our plates as well as in using utensils to put food in his mouth. There was a lot less food on the floor. Flinging now only happens after he is no longer hungry and getting bored.</p> <p>However, that's also when he got really interested in pouring his liquids out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765207 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 11:54:24 +0000 pachamama 2765207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>18m here and it's a shitshow, and he doesn't even (usually) throw food. That's why I have dogs, they do a great job cleaning up. Seriously! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765196 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 11:17:21 +0000 BSB 2765196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Twins are 23 months and they are so so messy. Plus, they hate bibs so I've given up on using them. I just have to pre-treat all of their clothes before I wash them. </p> <p>I have those splash mats that I put under their high chairs. Protects the floors, somewhat. </p> <p>I do feel like if I spoon fed them that more will get in their mouths and less on the floor. Well, nevermind, DD will start chewing something and it will look like she likes it and will swallow but then she'll spit it out. We joke that she is chipmunk and holds her food in her cheeks until she is over it. Oh, but spoon feeding doesn't help them develop skills in picking up food and feeding it themselves. I think the mess it just something I have to deal with. I did stop giving them a bowl with yogurt and a spoon because that was just too messy for me. Now I give them drinkable yogurt and poke a straw through the foil. My kids might not know how to eat soups but I think it's okay for now. </p> <p>Babies are at the 3rd percentile and have always been under or off the curve. But they eat well, they are gaining weight (slowly), we are supplementing their milk with a scoop of pedisure. I think we are doing everything we can to get them to grow. I think they will always be small because they were preemies and I'm petite. Dr isn't worried.</p> <p>ETA: I asked my sister who has a son 6 months ahead of my twins. She said she asks her son to pick up food when he throws it or drops it. So I'm thinking asking them to be helpful in the cleaning will help them really think about dropping food. She said some food are messier than others and will be messy. It makes sense to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765194 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 11:15:37 +0000 PawPrints 2765194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD was probably around that age when we also had a ton of food ending up on the floor and I was surprised to hear from a group of parent friends with babies the same age that they just didn't allow it. Someone said something like, we don't tolerate throwing food on the floor. It was kind of a light bulb moment for me because I hadn't considered that we had any choice about it. (Not nearly as exhausting for us as it is for you though, since we only have one baby and we have two big dogs cleaning up the mess). But yeah, we just started giving her food a tiny bit at a time, and if she started throwing it, then the meal was over. She learned extremely quickly. Not long after that she started getting good at utensils, using real bowls and plates and glasses, etc. She's 2y4m now and no mess at all other than a little spill on her placemat. (The dogs are very disappointed.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765193 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 11:14:33 +0000 BadgerMom 2765193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: Yeah that makes sense. I think it's just giving it time until they are taking eating solids more seriously, and unfortunately I don't think there is a magic age for that. </p> <p>Are they only eating solids at this point or are you still breast/formula feeding? If you are still breast/formula feeding my guess would be that they're really not THAT hungry for solids and once you wean, they will be more interested in getting the food to their mouths because they are hungry.</p> <p>In the mean time, could you put down a trash bag or something under their chair to catch the mess so you don't have to mop every night? That must be exhausting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765187 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:58:32 +0000 meadow 2765187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I am giving them very little at a time. (2 bite size pieces of meatball, or &lt;10 pieces of corn/peas, or 1 pancake, etc)</p> <p>Sometimes the throwing is just dropping because they made a mistake, sometimes it is intentional, sometimes they don't want that particular food anymore, and sometimes it is because they have a burp they are working on and they throw everything until they belch - then go back to eating normally.</p> <p>I struggle with ending the meal early because I want them to eat and not be hungry - hungry babies don't sleep well and are just so grouchy! This could be leftover subconscious worry since my DS was in the 1st percentile at one point..... now both kids are in healthier percentiles - but I still worry I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765185 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:55:01 +0000 sauerkraut 2765185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't give you a light at the end of the tunnel, just commiseration. I've largely given up on hoping my 13 month old will not drop food on the floor, or drop a fair amount down her lap where it will eventually end up on the floor when she gets out of the high chair. My dog in baby scrap heaven 3-4 times a day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765183 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:52:12 +0000 BadgerMom 2765183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I agree. We gave LO a couple bites at a time, if he finished it, he got more, if he played with it, he didn't.<br /> At this point I think they are probably pretty good at getting food to their mouths when they want to (maybe I'm wrong?). So if a ton of food is hitting the floor, I'd take that as a signal that they're done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765181 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:50:02 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2765181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As much as we watch and correct and redirect LO when he eats at least a few pieces of food are purposely spilled on the floor. In general meal time got neater around 11 months when we stopped putting a bib on him. We mostly feed him sauce-less foods, but he definitely makes a mess out of berries staining his clothes. When he starts playing we take his plate away and that straightens him out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765177 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:45:52 +0000 erinbaderin 2765177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are they dropping it, or throwing it on the floor? If you're cleaning up that much every night maybe you're giving them too much at a time? W is 16 months and we just give him a few pieces of each thing, and once it starts hitting the floor I assume he's done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-does-eating-get-less-messy#post-2765168 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:37:00 +0000 meadow 2765168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did BLW with my 14 month old twins. So they have been guiding food to their own mouths for 8 months now... I am getting tired of cleaning food up off the floor 4x a day. Last night was average and I probably cleaned up 1 - 1.5 cups of food.</p> <p>At the conclusion of each meal I get on my hands and knees and gather up the food/wet paper towel the floor to clean up the mess. Then clean each baby off (Breakfast and Dinner we do in only a diaper and I try to keep lunch to less messy foods) before I clean off their trays and we go about our day. It's easily 15 minutes to get through that process. While I clean the floor I am also ducking away from grimy fingers which inevitably paint my hair with something. Hah.</p> <p>In any case - looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. How old do kids stop making such a mess? I honestly feel like I need to mop every day - but I don't have the time or energy for that after they go to bed so we live with a slightly sticky kitchen floor. (gross - oh well.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381897 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:09:16 +0000 teawithpaloma 2381897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, thanks all. I think because we are in an apartment and limited on space anyway, I will continue without buying a free standing chair. This was very helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381849 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:37:47 +0000 Raindrop 2381849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only used the fisher price thing too. </p> <p>Wow @Freckles: that looks amazing!!! *adds it to amazon shopping cart*. Our kid does the same as @Adira: at home, he didn't start doing that till almost 2 though. Sometimes he just stands on the chair or even sits on our laps because we spoil him probably. :)</p> <p>At restaurants we use their booster or put two chairs stacked on each other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381839 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:29:40 +0000 Corduroy 2381839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the FP booster seat. LO is almost 3 and still uses it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I like that she needs a little help to get out of it (she can't push away from the table herself) which gives us an opportunity to make sure her hands are wiped before she runs away to play. I don't think we'll get another seat before she just sits in the chair.</p> <p>We just got another one for LO2 (6 months). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381786 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:56:34 +0000 Adira 2381786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used a booster seat for Xander from the get-go (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-SpaceSaver-Chair-Rainforest-Friends/dp/B00CBVHLWQ" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-SpaceSaver-Chair-Rainforest-Friends/dp/B00CBVHLWQ</a>) but he stopped wanting to use it around 18 months. He would just kneel on a regular chair. </p> [attach=340/15/nz1wia.400x600.Xander_20140901.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381764 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:46:01 +0000 Smurfette 2381764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the same booster as Freckles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381715 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:24:25 +0000 Mamaof2 2381715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@teawithpaloma: We went from using a clip on chair to them sitting on their knees - it was their preference. Maybe see how your LO feels about sitting that way? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381684 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:09:02 +0000 teawithpaloma 2381684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: Ugh, that's where we are too. Maybe I'll scour the local craigslist until a good deal comes up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381668 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:05:00 +0000 Freckles 2381668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@teawithpaloma: she doesn't mind it because she rests her feet on the dining chair. (Pic below, don't mind our ugly chairs haha) DH was worried there were no straps but it sticks to the seat pretty well. </p> <p>I wish I bought a stokke from the beginning. Now there is no point! DS is 1 and in the FP booster now, and we will probably buy another oxo booster when he is bigger. </p> [attach=2462/15/nz1u4d.450x600.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381654 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 11:57:04 +0000 teawithpaloma 2381654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: Oh that looks great, and of course, much cheaper! Does she complain about her legs dangling? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381629 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 11:48:49 +0000 Freckles 2381629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was contemplating getting a stokke later on as well but just got an oxo booster instead and it works well with our dining chairs. We got it when she was a little over 3. </p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Perch-Foldable-Booster-Kids/dp/B0067GKHHM" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Perch-Foldable-Booster-Kids/dp/B0067GKHHM</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-always-only-had-a-booster#post-2381621 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 11:45:21 +0000 teawithpaloma 2381621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've always used the same Fisher-Price booster seat since my DD was 5 months old. She still will sit there for meals and some snacks but she also likes to climb up onto the regular chairs and at 21 months can basically do a lot of eating at our table in the kitchen. She probably couldn't reach at our real dining room table but we hardly ever sit there unless guests are over. Though, now that I think about it we will need to sit there in a year when the new baby is old enough because the kitchen table only fits 3. </p> <p>So, if you've only had a booster, did you ever get a stokke or other more comfortable chair for a toddler? Am I going to reach a practical shelf life for the booster or did you keep using through the late toddler stage? Is it worth it to get a higher end stokke at this point? </p> [attach=5258/15/nz1t7m.243x263.Capture.JPG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-stokke-tripp-trapp-or-similar-high-chair#post-2205322 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:57:01 +0000 travellingbee 2205322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just did a little before 2 years. It was just easier to wipe down the tray. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-stokke-tripp-trapp-or-similar-high-chair#post-2205258 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 11:55:35 +0000 PurplePeony 2205258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the Keekaroo version. DD uses it as a chair pulled up to the table now, and has since maybe 16 months? She was really fighting going into the high chair so I gave a try to leaving off the tray and she's been much happier ever since. She did want to keep the rubbery booster seat on it, though, and thank goodness she still fits into it easily...she doesn't like to sit on the plain wooden seat yet. So we just moved the seat down a slot to give her legs enough room. </p>