Mealtime Tips for fussy tots
Do you happen to have a fussy eater on your hands? Tantrums are thrown and they go on a hunger strike. Fussy eating is actually a very common parenting issue most parents tend to face and with these tips on how to overcome a fussy tot during mealtime, you’ll have your little one eating all of the plate’s contents.
Get your tot to eat around other children
Have your tot eat with other children often, arrange playdates that include all the kids sharing a meal together. Your little ones may pick up on better eating habits from their friends, encouraging them to try the foods they don’t usually like to eat.
Play is okay!
Shapes are a fun way to make mealtime more exciting. Maybe your child has been learning about different shapes at school, so you turn his sandwich into little triangles or stars. Maybe your daughter is having a down day, so you arrange her meal in a smiley face on her plate. You can also make them interact with the colours of the food, such as laying them out like a rainbow or asking them what different colours they have on their plate. Be creative!
Keep portion sizes small
Try to eat with them as often as you can. Give small portions and praise your child for eating, even if they only eat a little. If your child rejects the food, do not force them to eat it. Just take the food away without saying anything. Also try freezing small bites of different foods. You can use these later and it avoids throwing a lot of food away.
Get your fussy eater involved with cooking
Most children adore cooking and tasks like squeezing fresh orange juice or cracking eggs are well within the capabilities of a young child. It’s amazing how being involved in the planning and preparation of a meal can stimulate a child’s appetite.
To help your child develop a healthy relationship with food, avoid these four toxic phrases:
- “You can have dessert after you eat your broccoli.” …
- “If you’re quiet, I’ll give you a cookie.” …
- “You have to take one more bite before you can say ‘no. …
- “It would make me happy if you took three more bites.”