ANY TIPS ON MAKING BABY SIT STILL WHILE FEEDING?

[kris dg]

I feed my DD her cereal in her bumbo chair but she's so fussy, looking over her shoulder or wanting to stand up and out of her chair.  I thought initially it was a sign that she didn't want to eat anymore but when the spoon would come, she'd gobble it up. 

Do you moms have any tips on how to make them sit still without introducing a play thing?

[woopster]

I would think that she is finding it very exciting!  Has she used the bumbo before you started weaning?  Do you have a regular high chair?
It might be easiest to just follow her lead. Let her have a look round and get it out of her system then feed her.

[kris dg]

we did use the bumbo before but she would often get up too.  she just really prefers standing over sitting!!  and somehow, i don't think she'll get looking around out of her system.  she's a curious little munchkin!  But I shall experiment tomorrow.

i haven't bought a high chair because I figured she was too small and she can't sit up on her own that well except if she's in her bumbo.  I guess I should start looking for a high chair, huh? 

Thanks woopster!

[Fiona (Leah & Kians Mom)]

I feed ds in his car seat strapped in so he can move around a lot less. Tried him in the high chair last week and he is just a bit too small for it yet, can sit for a few mins but then starts to slide down but I think I will be using it soon.

[kris dg]

oh fiona, our babies were born just days apart =)  that's my worry with the high chair too.  sometimes i feed my DD in her stroller.  car seat sounds like a good idea too!

how long have you been feeding your LO solids?  are you on 3 meals already?  how's it going?  =)

[Fiona (Leah & Kians Mom)]

So they are just noticed 
We are on solids since ds was 11 weeks, but it was for reflux reasons and until recently had only been doing small amounts. Now he is doing well, on 3 meals, breakfast is small, 7 cubes for lunch ( not into his chicken he wont eat it unless I add fruit in there ) and more fruit and babyrice for dinner/supper.
DD was almost 8 months before she went in the high chair but she was a tiny little thing :-)

[Molly2]

My DD was the same - still is a little at 10mths. I think you have to let them do it a little.  I also found that if I held my hand out to her (close to her nearest hand) that she would grip one of my fingers and once she had it to hold onto/focus her energy, she was much calmer to feed.  It was almost like she was bubbling with energy.

I do remember finding it quite difficult for the first few weeks but in around 3 weeks from begining it was much easier.

M

[kris dg]

Thanks Molly!  I know what you mean about giving her something to focus on.  Sometimes I give her a spare spoon and she quiets down while munching on it.  It's like she wants to feed herself!  The problem is I can't get the rest of the food in with her mouth occupied by the spoon =)

My niece still runs around while eating at 2 years old!  Not to judge my SIL's parenting but I don't want my LO to be that way too =)

[gpmom]

I am doing the same thing with the bumbo as dd is small as well.  We have just started solids but tonight I gave her a baby wipe and I was hanging onto one end and she grabbed the other.  That kept her entertained enough and I was able to feed her the rest.

[kris dg]

oh Joan, good one!  I can imagine Daisy in her pink (pink right?) bumbo.  Will try that later. =)

[Hey Jude]

We've just been through this w/10 mo DD!

First, I try singing - ABC or something over and over.
If that doesn't work, then I recruit Daddy to play peekaboo in front of her, or do some of his fancy dance moves.
When Dad isn't available, I feed DD in front of the TV playing her favorite Baby Einstein video.  She finds them spellbinding!

Good luck!

[Mama2boys]

my 11mo son is exactly the same, we even end up playing a game where he chucks the tennis ball down from the high chat and i run around finding, good for losing weight bad for the back!

But giving him a sippy cup, spoon etc has been helpful, or some small but not swalloable toy works well.

Hang in there, its hard work but one day they will be eating well on their own...and having had a bratty babe of my own, i realize that not everything is about parenting, some kids are just curious and headstrong and you have to bend to them...just my 2 cents!

mukta

[kris dg]

tracy mentioned something about not playing with your LO while he/ she is eating bec he/ she will think it's playtime.  so given the replies, is it inevitable that i will end up playing to distract?  =)  we've been trying hard not to play but i am so tempted to get a toy to distract her!