https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 20:23:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2446272 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:47:05 +0000 PurplePeony 2446272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also think it's probably more developmental than daycare-related. My DD has been in daycare since she was 3 months and is both a terror in the kitchen and has had bouts of highchair refusal. Now, she usually sits in her "tall chair" (we have a Keekaroo, which is similar to a Stokke) for a few minutes and eats a bit, then passes me her plate, cup, and finishes the meal in my lap. But there have been times she hasn't sat in her own chair at all.</p> <p>Dinner prep is also a nightmare for us. I've found that the only thing that really works is to prep as much as possible the night before. We eat a lot of casseroles because I can make the whole thing in advance and all I need to do is pop it in the oven when we get home. Also crockpot meals. If it's not possible to assemble the whole thing the night before, I try to at least make sure the veggies are chopped and any other components I can make ahead of time are ready to go. It sucks sometimes to be cooking at 9 pm but I always regret it if I leave it until we get home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2446103 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:52:43 +0000 BadgerMom 2446103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the highchair part might just be the age. DS is 20 months and about a month ago he started screaming bloody murder everytime we would attempt to sit him in his fisher price booster. According to his daycare lady he still happily sits in the highchair while he's there, ugh. Anyway, It was a battle I didn't want to fight so we just started letting him sit on our lap or sit in his own real chair. It makes mealtimes much more challenging, but I'm not sure what else to do, it's better than screeming and crying I guess... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2446038 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:03:16 +0000 hilsy85 2446038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: so another words, she can leave the dining room whenever and there's no way to baby proof the rooms that she can go into from there, and you can't see her? Are you guys eating dinner together? She must be going to bed early since she's not napping at daycare right? If you're not eating with her, I would prob just follow her out of the dining room then. And honestly, when my LO is exhausted, he loses his appetite, so I would 't be surprised if that is also playing a role--she is just too tired from her day to sit down and eat. You could try doing a picnic on the floor, in a baby proofed room so she can't escape, a few times and see if that helps. I woudl guess it is a phase that will pass though! I don't necessarily think the high chair refusal has anything to do with daycare since my LO and many other started refusing it at that point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2446028 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:56:26 +0000 Mae 2446028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: she doesn't want to be in my Tula on my back at night, nor does she want to be in my ring sling on my hip. She only wants me to carry her. :/</p> <p>@hilsy85: we can't let her run around during dinner without following her because our dining room is a separate room you can't see the rest of the level from and we can't baby proof that floor to an extent it is safe for her to be unsupervised. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2446008 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:47:46 +0000 MrsSRS 2446008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This isn't what you were asking, but have you considered just strapping her to your back in a carrier once you get home? She's probably tired from school so she doesn't need to run around and get wiggles out and maybe it would let her have the closeness she needs and let you have hands free. Maybe if she gets all that holding (and after a few weeks when she's not tired and adjusting) mealtime will get easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2446007 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:47:10 +0000 hilsy85 2446007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stopped using one at 18 months because he refused to sit in it. I didn't chase him around the house with food. If he was hungry, he sat at the table and ate. If he wanted to run around and play, I put his food away. Is this not an option? </p> <p>FWIW, I also don't think it's a problem to have her sit on your lap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2446004 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:45:14 +0000 Pumuckl 2446004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I don't know if it would help at all but have you tried to sit her at the table in a "safe" chair? So can you take her tray off and let her feed herself at the table or get her a chair that sits directly at the table (like a tripp trapp style high chair)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2446001 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:44:05 +0000 Adira 2446001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this is probably a phase for this age. I remember Xander going through something similar.</p> <p>Also, is it an option to just stop using the high chair/booster seat? We stopped using one around 18 months with Xander because he wanted nothing to do with it. He just kneels in a regular chair at the table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2446000 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:42:50 +0000 BandDmommy 2446000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's normal toddler behavior.. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445996 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:39:53 +0000 gilmoregirl 2445996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: so I dunno if this is particularly helpful but my son acts like this often and he does pretty well at daycare. I let him sit on his own chair at the table if he is up for it and otherwise he sits in my lap. I dunno whether it's "right" but I don't have the time or energy to fight that battle. I figure it'll stop someday?</p> <p>Cooking dinner is a whole other experience haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445656 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 23:00:57 +0000 BabyTsMom 2445656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>no experience on if this is related to her daycare transition, but I can say that my lo is the same age and we recently went through a pretty rough high hair refusal for a couple of months. he would arch his back, cry, refuse to eat..... it lasted about two months. now he's back in it and he's totally fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445637 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:40:38 +0000 hummusgirl 2445637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: One more thought - you could give her the choice of sitting in your lap or sitting in her booster seat. She might surprise you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445601 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:08:26 +0000 Ms maths 2445601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you think it would help her to be able to get into the chair herself? (Perhaps giving her a similar level of control as she has as daycare?)</p> <p>Our highchair converts to a youth chair, and LO gets in and out himself. I'm sure you don't want to buy a new highchair, but maybe either the booster seat or just the regular chair (even though she would be pretty low in it) would work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445594 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:02:43 +0000 catomd00 2445594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like normal toddler behavior to me. Mine does the same thing. It's more important to me that she eats than fight where it happens. I'll even sit on the floor with her and hAve a picnic. I don't see adults sitting on floors at restaurants, so she will outgrow it! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445593 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:01:57 +0000 Rockies11 2445593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Mine is like this - I let her sit on my lap at the table. It makes for a peaceful family dinner, so I just let her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445575 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:49:45 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 2445575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about a booster seat at the table? DD started hating her highchair and we didn't have a booster seat so we wound up eating at the coffee table so she could pull her little chair up. It actually worked out really well for us. We have a booster seat now and she likes it. But lunches we still admittedly eat in the living room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445569 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:45:22 +0000 Greentea 2445569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't force her. As I recall, she hated her high chair for awhile- at least I remember a post where you wanted a low backed chair so she wouldn't bang her head. I think she just misses you and wants some attachment- literally! To your hip, so to say.</p> <p>By 2 LO was totally done with the high chair and we got a stokke that allowed her to be independent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445564 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:43:06 +0000 avivoca 2445564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We let H sit on our laps sometimes when she is feeling clingy. She also loves sitting at her own little table while we sit at the big table. We still interact with her as if she was at the table with us. Good luck! This stage is so hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445556 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:37:37 +0000 babybysurprise 2445556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD went through a phase like this as well. I specifically remember the only way we could get her to eat one night was in her play tent. I was so frustrated cause I was worried we would never get her to sit at the table again but it was just a phase. She happily sit at the table 99.9% of the time. For the .01% we let her watch a show while eating but, that is reserved as a last ditch effort. Usually in that case she is sick and just done but we need her to eat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445551 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:36:29 +0000 Mae 2445551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all! This is so helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445527 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:25:37 +0000 jhd 2445527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would let LO sit on my lap at the table and then try to keep the booster or high chair routine at the weekend. I hope things get easier soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445519 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:18:53 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2445519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man. I am so sorry you are having such a rough transition. I'm sure it's so hard on you too!</p> <p>Honestly, I would give in! This coming from someone who allows their kid to eat lunch while running around the house! I think eventually she will be ok sitting on her own again, but just needs some mama snuggles. Hugs to you both! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445515 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:16:58 +0000 brownepiano 2445515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a bench at our table because we don't have enough chairs. We sometimes sit there and let DS sit next to us. It helps a little when he is really clingy, although he winds up leaning on us or trying to sit in our lap anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445512 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:12:56 +0000 Canoli 2445512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of my kids started fighting the high hair at some time around maybe 16-18ish months and I think it was related to sitting in "big kid" chairs and a table at daycare. It totally sucked but in the end I just couldn't keep fighting. My youngest at 21 months does a combination of sitting in our lap to eat, walking around eating and maybe briefly sitting in the chair. I'm not happy about it but right now it is what it is. I also think he majorly is trying to assert his independence so there's that too.</p> <p>Since she's having such a tough time right now I would probably give her the comfort she needs and for your sanity too and reevaluate in a while based on her adjustment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445507 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:11:17 +0000 MamaCate 2445507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I think if she wants to sit with you and eat, it is ok to do that! This is a phase and won't last forever. We went through a short period like that with LO and then she eventually went back in her chair. It sounds like the transition has been a lot for both of you so as long as this is working for you I would go with it. Good luck mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445501 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:08:18 +0000 Foodnerd81 2445501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I completely agree with you that it would defeat the purpose. I was just wondering. But no I wouldn't want to start that either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445496 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:06:06 +0000 Mae 2445496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: @hummusgirl: this makes me feel a lot better. I'm okay with her sitting on my lap but I didn't know if that was like, the worst idea ever (to give in). </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: She does. I don't know if she would eat there or not, but I feel like that would sort of defeat the purpose of us eating together at the table, if she was at her own little table. And I'm not squatting to eat off of her table :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445492 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:03:07 +0000 Foodnerd81 2445492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does she have a little table and chairs? Will she eat at that? </p> <p>I don't have any advice im just curious. That sounds incredibly frustrating and exhausting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445490 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:02:43 +0000 hummusgirl 2445490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a battle I wouldn't fight - I'd probably let her sit in my lap and try again in a few weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-high-chair-since-starting-daycare#post-2445484 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 20:59:51 +0000 pinkcupcake 2445484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This may not necessarily be a problem associated with starting daycare , as my daughter went through the same thing around that age. She refused all high chairs and would just wail and cry until we picked her up (at home, restaurants, etc). We prob didn't do the "correct" thing but we just let her sit on our laps during meals. Was a lot better than fighting with her.</p> <p>Good news is, now at age 4, she sits happily in a chair alone! :) So this too shall pass one day. I think it's a common phase kids can go through. Good luck! </p>