Once your baby reaches the stage where he starts trying new foods, he may be faced with a picky eater. Your child is experiencing a world of new smells, tastes and textures and, like everyone else, he will have preferences. However, some will become very picky and try to fight you at every meal. This does not need to be. A little planning and patience, along with a few helpful tips, will make mealtime that much more enjoyable for you and your child.
Offer a variety of foods, little by little. Give your child time to savor each flavor and texture. Let them choose for themselves what they like and what they don’t. Offer small amounts. This will feel less overwhelming. Try the one bite rule. Have them try just one bite. Let them experience it. Your baby will let you know if she wants more. If they don’t eat, remove them from the table and try again in a few hours. Don’t make a problem out of it.
Don’t stare at your baby or food when you try them on new things. Give them some time, sooner or later they will eat. No healthy child has ever starved to death. Make food a pleasant experience. Don’t make a big deal out of your child’s choices. Forcing the issue will only guarantee more food battles. Try to make meals fun. Cut food into fun shapes. Be creative!
Use whole milk but don’t go dairy crazy. Babies need the fat in whole milk to help their brains grow. However, they need a greater variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs. A good rule of thumb for dairy is no more than 24 ounces per day.
Once a child gets on stage to try new foods, they know how much they need to eat. If they don’t get enough at one meal, they’ll make up for it at another.
Don’t be surprised if vegetables aren’t high on your child’s list of favorites. Vegetables are notorious for ranking at the bottom. Baby vitamins will help offset nutritional needs until your child accepts a greater variety of foods.
When should you worry about a picky eater? If your child has trouble chewing or swallowing, vomiting, drooling, or choking on food, or completely refusing food or liquids, you should see a health professional.
This is an exciting time in your baby’s growth. Get the most out of it!