My Toddler Can’t Sit Still | How to Help Your Toddler Sit and Eat (Really!)

Toddlers are busy-bodies and it’s hard for them to sit still. If your toddler can’t sit still, especially at the meal table, then you may be feeling frustrated! Toddlers are curious and this is a big reason they have a hard time sitting still when it’s time for meals. If you’ve got a toddler who can’t sit still, don’t fret. This is normal stuff!
In this video, I’m going to share why your toddler can’t sit still and take you through 6 things you can do to help your toddler sit and eat.
Because toddlers need to learn to sit still and eat so they can get the nutrition they need.
I’ll talk about how a toddler’s development interferes with sitting at the table and how you can work with your toddler and teach them to sit at the table for mealtimes.
For more information about helping toddlers eat well, check out my website, The Nourished Child!
// Prevent Picky Eating Before it Starts
• PREVENT PICKY EATING B...
// What is a Food Jag?
• What is a Food Jag? | ...
// Why is my child underweight?
• CHILD UNDERWEIGHT? | E...
// Grab my FREE Guide: How to Nourish a Child: bit.ly/2JD0Mno
// Learn More About The Nourished Child®:
Where We Hang Out: thenourishedchild.com/about-us/
Learn About Jill Castle: jillcastle.com/about-jill/
Listen to the podcast: jillcastle.com/podcast/
// Follow Me on Social:
Facebook: / thenourishedchild
Instagram: / the.nourished.child
Pinterest: / pedird
LinkedIn: / jillcastle
A Couple of Announcements:
This channel provides general advice. It does not offer individualized nutrition interventions, instructions or counseling. Please consult with your primary healthcare provider with health concerns or for medical advice.
The description may contain affiliate links to products I recommend as a pediatric dietitian and nutritionist. If you choose to use these links, this channel may earn affiliate commissions at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support!

[@JillCastle]

Which of these tips do you think will help your toddler to sit still and eat?

[@ceejhaycamayang2939]

I will try this for.sure❤ thank you

[@faizakhan5805]

Thanks for the great tips, my 2 year old will not sit for more than a minute at the table. High chair transition has been difficult. He loves the liberty of running around that comes with sitting at the table. Im going to try the incremental timer technique, thank you!

[@JillCastle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sheryltaylor9198]

These are great, I teach parenting and will show this video.

[@JillCastle]

Please do!

[@user-zd8ki5ru5f]

Thank you very much

[@JillCastle]

You are welcome.

[@angelika2328]

My 11-month old has been like this for a while and it's the same with his bottles. I currently have to feed him his bottles in front of the TV and even then I need 4-5 attempts as he's just too busy and too curious to sit/lie still. Obviously the same for mealtimes at the table. No TV or any other distractions at the table but currently he's just throwing food. I really don't know what to do with him. 😢
He's really small too (3rd percentile) because he's just too busy to eat.
What can I do with him?

[@JillCastle]

I would discuss with your pediatrician and see if a feeding eval would be beneficial - sometimes kids show early signs of sensory sensitivities around eating that can be addressed through feeding intervention with an Occupational therapist or speech pathologist.

[@shashwattripathi6716]

5th n 6th point very helpful

[@JillCastle]

Great 👍

[@sh32pak]

I'm watching this video running on fumes feeding my run away toddler.....

[@TheHappygood]

But doesn’t good eating habits and nutrition start at 6 months of age, to ensure that a growing child has a good eating habit?

[@JillCastle]

Yes.

[@user-dw9hv7be9m]

I need help with removing my child’s toys as I’ve let him get a bad habit of bringing them to the table and I know he’s going to struggle with that and have a tantrum

[@JillCastle]

It's okay if he gets upset - you can reassure him that he'll get his toys after eating.

[@user-zd8ki5ru5f]

Get ready the food on the table before putting the baby on the chair.

[@susanam5677]

How about a 16 months old? Under 2 really don’t understand explanation, logic, etc. What can I do when my toddler doesn’t want to eat?

[@JillCastle]

I have a video coming out soon about this! Also, this video about feeding mistakes with babies may help you: th-cam.com/video/Y5JxO3j0Tjc/w-d-xo.html
Mostly, it's about getting your baby used to the routine of sitting to eat several times a day; and not pressuring too much. All this can be stressful, I know, but the more relaxed you are, the better. Check out my website, too, The Nourished Child, for more resources on infant feeding/nutrition!

[@mahrig.9894]

My son is just turn 2, and all he eaten mostly is mashed, 4 different food mashed in a single meal 1. ( chicken, sweet potatoes, kale, and will eat it only if have yougurt banana on top) 2. (avocado ,egg, banana, yougurt )and it is 2 major meal he got in a day and snacks, more sleeping than eating,
He eat solid foods like peanut butter brown bread, berries, apples, oranges grapes
Bottomline he is doesnt eat alone solid. He doesnt like rice, pasta. The rest of food he eat as long it is mashed. .. how he could eat all in solid way?

[@kassyv1757]

This was posted 11 months ago. Did baby eventually start trying other food/textures? Desperate mom here!

[@shermaineaxe3866]

Oh my god! Very long introduction!

[@JillCastle]

I'm learning! 😂