Today's topic was Feeding your picky toddler or preschooler.
Feeding a picky child can be frustrating or worrisome.
Parents and children have different jobs in feeding. Follow these tips can help your child learn to eat a variety of food,to have a good eating habit.
Parent's job is to decide:
What food and drinks are served.
When food is served.
Where food is served.
Your child's job is to decide:
To eat or not to eat the food, which food to eat from his plate, how much to eat
Also eat together on a dinning table as often as possible.
Keep mealtimes pleasant and relaxed
Set regular meal and snack times-offer 3 meals and 2-3 snacks at regular times each day
Seat your child at the table securely in a high chair or booster seat for meals and snacks-focus on eating,avoid distractions
Don't make separate meals for your child,always serve one food that they like with something they don't like,if a child refuses food, do not offer another food that he likes, wait for next meal or snack time to offer him food
Let your child decide if and how much to eat from the food you serve,give small portions and let him asks for more
Avoid pressure,praise,rewards,tricks,bribe or punishment
Offer a variety of foods at each meal,serve new food in small amounts with familiar food, and when your child is healthy and hungry,or make it different ways,e.g.carrots can be mashed,soft cooked or grated into muffin or meatloaf
Don't be discouraged if your child does not like the new food on the first try,sometimes it can take 8 to 10 tastes before a child likes a new food
Grow,pick,cook and shop for food together-your child will be more open to trying new food
If a child wants a snack and it is not snack time
Tell your child that they can eat ant the next meal or snack time. Offer water between meal and snack times.Be lovingly firm about no food between meals and snacks.Try to redirect your child to do something else.
If your child is growing well, seems healthy and happy he is likely doing fine.There is no need for concern about the odd skipped meal.
