17 Month Old Hates Her High Chair

Hi Debbie.

While its been awhile (my daughter is 16!) when she was that age, in fact, about 15 months old, she not only refused the high chair but her crib! To tackle the high chair, we tried explaining that she had to be a big girl to sit in the "big chair". She responded with a thump to the floor and repeated "big girl!" at the top of her lungs. So I said, fine...went to walmart and bought a booster seat with a little seatbelt on it. And we gave it a shot. She was so happy to be sitting with the"big" people, that she actually stayed in the seat! When she did try to get up and walk around, we told her she'd have to go back to the "baby chair" if she didn't sit still.
It worked. Now...can someone tell me how to keep the 16 year olds in line! lol. Good luck!

We transitioned our son to a booster when he behaved that way.

Hi Debbie,
I would definitely try to put her in a booster seat now. See if she likes that. I have a 19 month old son who has been sitting at the big table in a booster seat now for about 4 months now. He loves it - makes him feel like he is doing the same thing we are - sitting in a chair at the big table.
Try it!
Booster seats are cheap too - and you could probably even find one for $2 on craigslist or free on freecycle!!
Good luck!
M.

Have you tried moving her to a booster (aka, the big girl seat)?. If she's sitting well enough and can eat from a plate/placemat/table, it may quell her anger. Our daugter was in a booster by around then (I think!).

Good luck.

I agree, she'd probably be happier in a booster. We have the Fisher Price portable booster and it works great, both at home and for eating out. Or, the First Years makes a portable booster that's just an inflatable seat base (kind of like sitting on a phone book), a back and a 3 point harness. It's great for traveling and doesn't really look like a booster, if your daughter is really hung up on being a big girl!

Debbie,

I think this is extremely common. It's just a phase where they don't want to be contained - wait til she hates her car seat - that's fun. It's up to you if you feel for safety or mess containment that it's important to keep using the high chair.

For me, this was a first "disciplining" step...to help alleviate the power struggles later. I used this "opportunity" to teach my kids that they only got fed in their chairs. My kids are now 5 1/2 and 4 and that's STILL a rule in our house - SITTING in your chair at the table. No walking around with food. No "baby bird" situation where you struggle to get a mouthful of food in your child every time they walk by.

If your child will sit still, try a booster (BIG GIRL CHAIR). If she doesn't behave, go back to the high chair.
It's an easy concept IF YOU STICK WITH IT. Only eat at the table/in her chair. Once she wants to leave, take the food away. Then next time she comes around for food, explain she has to sit down. (Try to avoid the up/down up/down thing. After she gets up from lunch, say all done, no more.) If she hardly eats, next snack offer her some fruit or veggies.

I know "discipline" for a 17 mo old for some sounds silly. However for me, I worked hard from an early age to teach my kids that "I am the rule-maker." We have to sit at the table, no toys, until they are done eating.

So when the rest of your friends are complaining that their kids won't eat, won't sit still, are dragging food crumbs into every room of their house, etc. just smile and say, "Really? That's too bad."

Maybe this is a long answer to your "simple" question, however I sincerely believe it's also the start of the great kid-Mom power struggle of who makes the rules? If she doesn't want to sit, then she doesn't get to eat (yet).

Good luck.

It's not too early for a booster seat. I've already put my 12 month old in one, and she's comfy and happy in it. There are many nice ones out there to choose from, and luckily not too expensive. I have a fisher price one that can be used with or without the tray.

I say booster seat as well. My son was about 15 months when we put him in one. He has been much happier sitting at the table with us.
Good luck!

My son was in a booster seat at 15 months with no problems. It straps to a kitchen chair and has a safety belt for him.

I just wanted to let you know my FOURTEEN month old prefers her sisters chair over the high chair. She refused to eat this morning and I figured just b/c she is sick however when I put her in the taller wooden chair at the table she ate it all! Go figure. We have strong willed kids-LOL!! Mine is a cheap version of a tripp trap. I think that's what they are called. GREAT investment. I got ours from one step ahead and it holds up to 150 pounds so even I can sit on it. Good luck. I feel your stress!

The same thing happened with my son a couple of months ago (he's now 17 months). We decided to get him a little kids' table and chairs set and that has worked pretty well for us. Yes, he gets up and walks around sometimes, but we also sit down with him alot and eat at his table. It's worked for us.

T.
www.ReadandGrow.com

My son went through the same thing at around the same age. He hated the high chair but was ok with a booster for a while. He hated being strapped in and confined and really-who can blame 'em? This is how we know our kids are ready for the next phase....

Try putting her in a booster seat. I didn'e even use a high chair with my 2 kids only booster seats and it worked out well. We do have a rule in the house that you sit at the table to eat and drink. There is no walking around with food or cups in their hands. I started this as soon as they were walking and have had no problem with it. Hope this helps.

Maybe you could get rid of the high chair and put her in a booster seat. Good luck!

Hi Debbie. Our daughter did the same thing. She completely gave up her high chair by 18 months or so. We moved her to a booster-type seat that she can still be buckled into. We have this one and love it:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2861764

The tray can be removed so you can slide the chair right up to the table. Also, it folds for easy traveling so you can take it anywhere, like grandma's or an aunt who does not have a highchair.

Good luck...hope this helps!