Prevention

Usually from starting weaning at the age of 6 months up to the age of 1-year-old, babies enjoy trying a variety of new foods.  By the age of 1, a baby has a good idea what food she likes and dislikes.  So the best to way to prevent fussy eating is to introduce a wide variety of foods, textures and flavours between the ages of 6 months and 1 year.  The tips lower down the page to manage fussy eating are also useful in the prevention of it as well.

Why toddlers become fussy eaters

From the age of 1 year toddlers can suddenly become resistant to trying new foods.  This is probably a safety measure to help stop a now mobile toddler from eating something that might be poisonous.  During this stage your toddler may refuse a new food without evening trying it and may also refuse food they have previously eaten regularly, just because it looks different to normal, for example, it’s been cooked differently or came out of different packaging to normal.

The majority of toddlers grow out of this stage particularly if they see other family members eating these new foods.

Management 

Keep offering refused foods

Just because your toddler refuses a new food the first time it’s offered, don’t give up, keep offering and eventually she may accept it.  You may have to offer it to her over 10 times before she accepts it, but never force her to eat it.  It’s also worth letting her see you eating the new food, as this will encourage her to see that the food is safe to eat.

Don’t put the refused food on the same plate as foods you know she will eat, as your toddler may feel the liked foods has become “contaminated” and may not eat that either.  Just offer a small quantity of a refused food at a time. 

Toddlers know when they’ve had enough

It’s quite normal for toddlers to have good and bad days when it comes to what and how much they eat.  If your toddler is healthy and growing within normal limits, then he is probably taking in enough nutrients and calories.
Toddlers are very good at knowing when they have enough food and it’s important that you look for the signals that she is full to avoid over feeding. The signals to look for are:   

1.Keeping her mouth shut tight

2.Turning her head away

3.Saying no

4.Holding food in her mouth or spitting it out

5.Gagging

All toddlers have different appetites; so don’t worry if a friend’s child eats more than yours.

Drinks

If your child is getting too many calories from sugary drinks, then this will have an impact on her appetite.  Offer a drink with each meal and snack.  6-8 cups a day is sufficient.  Offer fluids in a cup, bottles are not recommended over the age of 1 year.  Milk is an important part of your child’s diet, but too much can also reduce her appetite and babies over the age of 6 months should need milk during the night.

Snacks

Toddlers only have small stomachs and cannot eat large volumes in one sitting and therefore snacks are an important part of their diet.  However too many can have an impact on appetite.  Offer 3 meals and 2-3 nutritious snacks per day and space them out evenly over the day.

Don’t over face

It’s better to offer small portions at mealtimes, so as not to over face her, and praise her for what she eats, no matter how little it is. Don’t comment on what she doesn’t eat.  This way she is getting attention for eating rather than not eating.  It’s worth offering 2 courses at each mealtime and still offer the second course even if she doesn’t eat the first.  Don’t use one food as a reward for eating another food, as this just increases the desire for the reward food. Never coerce or force feed as this will lead to anxiety and could reduce her appetite even further.

Self-feeding

Let your toddler feed herself. It’s important for her to touch and play with food, as this will help her accept it. It is also easier for her to stop eating when she’s had enough.

 Whenever possible eat with your toddler. Toddlers learn by copying and if you eat together, you will be a good role model. Avoid other distractions such the television or toys, as toddlers can’t concentrate on too many things at once and these distractions will make it more difficult for her to eat.  Mealtimes should be calm and relaxed with lots of family chatter.  Your toddler will probably have eaten everything she’s going to eat within about 20 minutes.  After this time remove any uneaten food without comment. Prolonging the meal will not be of any benefit, just offer the next snack/meal at the usual time.  Have a good routine of regular meals and snacks so that your toddler doesn’t become over hungry.

Medical reasons

There may be a medical reason why your child has a poor appetite.  The more usual ones are constipation and anaemia.  If you think she may be suffering from either of these then see your GP.

Most toddlers will grow out of fussy eating, but if your child doesn’t, then see your family Health Visitor or GP.