Preventing Burns and Interesting Eating

Anslie has never been very picky as far as what she will eat. She pretty much likes almost anything. She is, however, extremely picky about how she will eat and where. I don't remember a time when she didn't hate sitting in her high chair. She will tolerate it for a few bites, then needs something to distract her before she will take another bite. Sometimes giving her a drink from her sippy cup moves things along. Sometimes it's a fork that she can dip into whatever she happens to be eating. Other times it's songs, silly noises, or simply a change of menu.

Since she has been sick, she is even pickier about where she will eat. And she isn't completely happy unless she is eating on the run. But the problem with that is that she gets distracted easily and won't finish her meal AND my carpet is getting DESTROYED!!!

After lots of tears of frustration (from both Anslie and I) because she was losing weight (and you all know how important it is to us that she gain weight)from her lack of appetite and refusal to eat in her high chair, a thought came to me. It's the tray on her high chair that she doesn't like. She wants to be at the table with us. She is hungry and wants to eat. There's just something about the tray that really bothers her.

It was literally in the middle of dinner the other night that this thought came to me. Anslie had taken about three bites of food and was screaming at the top of her lungs wanting to get out of her high chair. I took the tray off, and it was like hitting the mute button on the remote for the TV. She immediately started scarfing her food down. We tried this tactic again at dinner tonight and this child ate more in one sitting than I have seen her eat in a long time. I guess she just doesn't want to be contained.

Anyway, this is how Anslie prefers to eat her meals. Whatever works, I guess:) I am just grateful for the inspiration!