Tips For Fussy Eaters With Solids

So it’s time to introduce solids. It’s an exciting time but it can also be stressful if you find you have a fussy eater. All babies and toddlers fuss at some point and this is normal. There is a lot going on for them as they are growing and learning, and becoming more preoccupied with the world around them.

As a first time mum I didn’t know what to expect when it came to feeding my baby. I didn’t know how much, or how little, or how often. Maybe I was putting too much pressure on myself. I worried so much about Lucas fussing and when I look back now I know that I worried more than I needed to.
Lucas didn’t eat everything, and some days it was hard to get anything into him at all. Then there’s Thomas, who is a great eater, but still has his occasional fusspot moments. I guess we are all allowed to have an off day!

It’s so easy to get into your daily routine and expect everything to happen the way you ‘plan’ or have been told things should be. Everyone has an opinion on eating, and we often have a lot of mixed information and expectations. One thing I have learned is to trust in your child. It has taken a while, but I now trust that my boys will eat as much as they need to, not as much as I need them to.

Some factors for fussy eating could include;

Snacking between meals: if your toddler is snacking between meals and nibbling all day it can cause them to be fussy at mealtimes.
Illness: your toddler may be coming down with a cold and might not be feeling well.
Tiredness: it is almost impossible to get food into a tired toddler when all they need is sleep. You could try feeding them their dinner earlier, or opting for a bigger lunch and a lighter meal for dinner.
Teething: When your toddler/baby is teething it is normal for them to go off food, which considering their little mouths are feeling so uncomfortable, is understandable. Give them lots of cuddles and comfort while you ride it out.

Here are some of my tips based on what I’ve learned through personal experience and some research, to help you manage a fussy eater:

Offer the same food up to 10-20 times.

Baby’s taste buds are not fully developed and it can take up to 10 tries or more before they like a flavour. Be consistent in your approach and revisit a food every few weeks or months to allow your baby to get used to the flavour.

Get your baby/toddler involved.

Give them a spoon and let them feed themselves. It’s good practice and helps build motor skills. If your baby is refusing to eat, calmly pack up and offer again 15-20 mins later. Don’t show your baby that you are upset about them not eating their lunch/dinner. Mealtimes should be fun, and any negative attention can make the next feeding time difficult. Make food a positive experience.

Make lunch time meals fun

Remember that your baby is learning about food’s texture, colour and smells. Offer food at lunch that they can feed themselves for practice, or let them help you feed them if they prefer to be spoon fed. Let them make a mess without the stress. Get them involved, even if they help set the table or put veggies in a bowl. Get them interested in food and mix it up every mealtime. Offer new flavours and let them explore. Make a vegetable face or make a pizza with flat bread and let them choose the topping.

Introduce the ‘try it once rule’

In our house we have the ‘try it once rule’. You don’t know you don’t like it until you try it! Toddlers are people too and it’s important to respect their feelings. They have likes and dislikes just like adults. Some days they are not as hungry as other days. They are allowed to not like something, but always encourage them to try it once. In saying that, continue to offer the same foods on several occasions so that they have the chance to get used to the flavour.

Stick to a routine

Children thrive on routine. Set a daily routine that works for you and your family. My boys know that breakfast, lunch and dinner times are set and that makes meal times easier.

Eat with your children

Be a good role model. Babies & toddlers learn by watching us. Sit down together at mealtimes.

Don’t Bribe

Don’t bribe your toddler to eat. And certainly do not bribe with dessert. This will only bring on more issues around dinner time, teaching them the association that eating a plate of food equals reward.

Offer foods early

Offer foods early and repeatedly, from their first introduction of solid foods. Repeat exposure to a wide range of healthy foods will help with fussy eating.

The ‘reverse psychology’ trick

This one works for me. While I prepare lunch or dinner, I say ‘no, you can’t eat this, this is mummy’s favourite’. This also keeps things light and fun.

Small Portions

Don’t fill your toddler’s plate with food, as this can be overwhelming for them. Seeing a full plate of food could feel overwhelming and may put them off. Offer small portions and start slow. If they finish their plate, ask if they want more. Don’t forget that your toddler has a small stomach – it’s only the size of their fist.

A toddler will not let themselves go hungry. They instinctively know how much food they need and by forcing or bribing them to finish what is on their plate, they can easily lose this ability – something which may cause other issues later in life.Toddlers control very little in their lives, but the foods they eat are one thing they can control. Many toddlers enjoy asserting their independence at mealtimes.
Be aware that toddlers may need less food than they did as babies. The first 12 months of life are marked by rapid growth, but growth slows down between 18 months and 2 years. Your toddler’s appetite is probably waning because he needs fewer calories to sustain this slower growth. Toddlers and preschoolers typically experience 2 or 3 growth spurts each year, when appetite increases.

Also, as toddlers gain mobility, they often lose interest in eating. They are literally too busy to stop for a meal.

Do not let your baby/toddler snack on crap!

Offer fruit or yogurt at snack time and nothing too heavy. There is no need for them to eat sweets or fatty foods. Also, do not let your baby/toddler snack all day. You don’t want to spoil their appetite.

Most of all – Don’t stress.

Don’t let your toddler see you react as this just gives them attention, and will make all meal times a challenge. Make eating a fun and positive experience. Show them how much you enjoy it and always talk positively about food. Never force feed your toddler, as this only make the situation worse and can cause choking and vomiting when your toddler is crying. It can also set negative associations around food and mealtimes.
Always offer a range of healthy nutritious food and choose organic whenever possible.

These tips brought to you by