When toddlers say ‘no’: Doctor’s tips to turn food battles around

If you’ve ever found yourself scouring the internet for advice after your child rejected yet another meal, you’re not alone. Despite the pressure placed on parents to provide the best nutrition for their kids, often, in the end, it’s the child who has the final verdict on different foods.

As frustrating as it can be, it’s developmentally normal for toddlers and young children to go through phases of being fussy.

Perhaps your baby began their solids journey eating a wide variety of purees, including meats, vegetables and fruits, but now they prefer bland foods such as rice, milk, cheese, yoghurt, bread and chicken nuggets. Or maybe your toddler changes their mind from one day to the next, often providing no rhyme or reason as to why they suddenly dislike their favourite snack.

General fussiness usually peaks during the first two years of life (when teething, viruses and boundary-pushing are also common), then lessens as the child starts pre-school or kindy. Some children can remain fussy for longer, and while this can be stressful, it is still important to be patient. Here are four strategies that may help.

Keep things simple

To reduce the mental toll of mealtimes, try to keep things fun and simple. Offer breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in-between, as this helps children develop a routine and allows you to stay on track in terms of what they might need.

Follow your toddler’s lead on whether they are full or not and remember their appetite will change. Some days it may seem like your child eats very little, other days it might feel like they eat more than you. The best thing you can do is to keep providing a variety of nutritious, wholesome foods, even if your child turns away from them.

If you are ever concerned about your child’s food intake, you can speak with your GP about a powdered or ready-to-drink nutritional supplement to help fill nutritional gaps.

Neutralise power struggles

Try to let go of the idea that a “good” meal means a clean plate. Your role is to offer a variety of foods in a calm, relaxed setting on a regular schedule and to let your child decide what and how much they eat. Often the battle starts to ease the moment we stop fighting it. Stay neutral, keep gently offering new foods alongside the ones they already enjoy and try not to let one difficult meal set the tone for the next.

Stay consistent

After spending time preparing a wholesome meal for your child, it’s completely normal to lose your patience when that food is thrown back at you – but don’t give up! It can take as many as 20 to 30 exposures for a child to like a particular food, and even then, it depends on their personality, developmental level and whether other factors (such as teething or illness) are at play.

Although it can be tempting to bribe or pressure your toddler into eating, success generally comes from offering them a variety of foods from a young age and continuing this exposure throughout their first few years of life.

Lead with connection

Whether it’s every day or a weekly tradition, sitting down to eat as a family can help set expectations and keep mealtimes fun. When everyone eats together, openly chatting and enjoying each other’s company, the focus is no longer on the difficulties your child may be having with textures or flavours. A great way to help empower each family member is to have a buffet-style dinner where everyone can select a range of different options.

When to seek advice

If you are ever worried about your child’s growth, weight or energy, or even how mealtimes are affecting your own wellbeing, please don’t carry it on your own. Check in with your GP or child health nurse.

Reaching out early isn’t a sign that you’ve done anything wrong – it’s one of the most practical and caring things you can do for both you and your child.

PediaSure can help fill nutritional gaps during phases of fussy eating, taking some of the pressure off. It’s one way to support their growth while you continue encouraging a wider range of foods. To find out more, visit www.pediasure.com.au.

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