Simple tip to keep your fussy eater seated during mealtime
Wriggling, squirming or getting up at mealtimes are common complaints about fussy eaters.
If you've found yourself repeatedly asking your child to sit down or keep still while eating, have you considered adjusting their chair?
A simple tip to Keep Your Fussy Eater Seated during mealtime
There are many reasons your child may not sit for the entirety of mealtime.
You may be expecting your child to sit for too long. (For a young child, more than 20 mins is beyond their development).
They're distracted by other things or activities such as devices, noises or other people.
They're too tired or wired.
They have low muscle tone or core strength.
They have poor body awareness or a sense of balance.
One common reason for a child, particularly fussy eaters, struggles to sit through meals is their chair and foot position.
Correct posture and a supportive chair can be a game-changer when it comes to getting your child to sit through the meal and eat a varied diet.
Seating your child up for mealtime success
Eating is a complex activity. This is a lot involved with eating requiring concentration and fine motor skills.
While there is no one answer for overcoming fussy eating behaviour, one of the common issues we see is children not seated correctly at the table. Often they're sitting in a chair that's too big for them, especially if they have transitioned from a highchair to a chair or the wrong distance from the table.
Children are also often expected to eat with their feet dangling and lack upper body support.
When children are sitting incorrectly when eating, they need to engage their core muscles to stabilise their upper body. When their feet aren't supported, children can experience pins and needles-like sensations. They can also experience gravitational insecurity which impacts their digestive capacity - particularly common in children with sensory processing issues.
Collectively this results in fatigue, poor attention and less food eaten. Correct positioning also decreases the risk of your child choking.
Adjust your child's eating position with these tips
Before you come to the table to enjoy a family meal, assess your child's eating position.
Ensure they're sitting in a supportive chair. If your child has grown out of a high chair but sitting in an adult chair, consider a booster. It is recommended your child is sitting with their hips, knees and angles bent at 90 degrees. A cushion behind your child can be helpful for posture support (does it keep slipping off? Put the pillow in an old t-shirt or pillowcase and secure it over the back of your chair).
Position the chair close to the table and at the right height so their elbows can easily clear the table or feeding tray.
Add a footrest to the highchair or chair. You can purchase highchair footrests such as Footsi or The Woodsi Footsi. If your chair doesn't come with a footrest, you can make your own. Here are some ideas:
Stretch a Theraband across the legs
Use a pool noodle taped to the chair legs
Build a stand with a stack of books or a box
Addressing your child's seating position can have a huge impact on their fussy eating behaviour and reduce the mealtime battles.
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