During this time of introducing new foods, some food fads may develop.
All children will experience this at some stage, even the good eaters will go through a fussy stage.
Coping with a fussy eater can be very frustrating. Try diffusing this by making mealtimes fun such as a picnic in the garden or a teddy bears tea party.
Tips to help with fussy eaters
- Create a relaxed environment, it can take up to 10 times before a child will take to a new food.
- When your child has had enough, remove the food and leave it.
- Children love finger food so try giving them chopped raw vegetables, fruit, slices of chicken or ham that they can pick up and eat themselves.
- Children learn from copying their siblings so include them in family meals as much as possible
- Praise your child when they have eaten well
- Do not allow your child to graze on too many snacks during the day.
- Encourage your child to help prepare and shop for meals
- Do not offer your child large drinks within an hour of a meal
- Do not offer sweet foods as rewards for eating well