Your toddler refuses to get in the high chair and screams the second you try to buckle them in. Every meal feels like a battle and you miss the days when they sat happily while eating.
Registered dietitian Jay Baum says toddlers need freedom and independence. Five minutes at the table is normal for this age. Your child wants to eat like the big kids, not be trapped in a baby chair.
Switch to a dining booster seat strapped to a regular chair. Let your child eat at the table with no tray. Use Grandma's Rule: when you finish three bites, then you leave the table. Give positive praise when they sit nicely. Make cleanup a game at the end. Reserve special toys that only appear at mealtime.
High chair battles end when you respect their growing independence. Meal times get easier.
Sources:
https://www.todaysparent.com/toddler/toddler-behaviour/baby-toddler-hates-high-chair/
https://pedsdoctalk.com/high-chair-refusal/
https://www.baby-chick.com/what-to-do-when-your-toddler-refuses-to-sit-in-their-highchair/
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Calm Toddler Hacks provided by Chilkibo Publishing, helping families find their calm with trusted strategies.
