Sara Dobson
Rachel Henwood - Freelance WriterEating tips for fussy toddlers
June 24th 2008 01:01
“MMMMMMMMMMMMM” is the terrible whining noise that Samantha makes with her mouth clamped firmly shut and her arms waving furiously pushing everything away.
I like any other parent is concerned about whether my child eats enough, just a few months back she loved eating. Now her eating patterns seem random to say the least. I spent many hours obsessively looking for information about how much she needs to eat, and how much she should weigh.
What I realised is, that there is no need to worry, it is a phase a most toddlers seem to go through. It turns out toddlers are clever little things, they are good at regulating their own appetite, they do not allow themselves to starve, and they are learning which foods they prefer to eat.
I made a decision and stuck to it that if she did not eat what she is offered that would be it! She eats good healthy food only. I am glad I stuck to that decision after reading a story of an obese 18 month old that would only eat chips. Really Long Link
Here are some mealtime tricks that work for me (and keep me sane):
• If babies do not want to eat do not force them they may not be hungry toddlers do not starve if there is food available. Let them out of their high chair to run around a bit more, until they start whinging they are hungry, then offer them food again.
• It is better not to get angry or frustrated; otherwise, it turns into a battle of wills.
•They love interacting with you. Sometimes we smile babble and even high five our way through dinner
•They are becoming independent. They want to try to feed themselves. This is tough and I have to say that I do let Samantha run her hands through her dinner and try to feed herself with her hands. I sit there with a spoon and try to shovel a few spoonfuls of food into her mouth between handfuls. Lunchtimes are easier because it is easy to give finger foods like vegemite sandwiches or chopped fruit she can feed herself.
• In the weekends, my husband and I eat earlier so that we can all sit at the table together. She thinks she is clever eating with mum and dad, especially when she can see we are all eating the same food.
I discovered quite by accident too how much she loves peas when she started trying to grab them off our plates. Therefore, peas are served with every meal now, sometimes she sits there and picks them out.
If she eats all her dinner and is still hungry, she gets a treat like fruit custard or sultanas.
I like any other parent is concerned about whether my child eats enough, just a few months back she loved eating. Now her eating patterns seem random to say the least. I spent many hours obsessively looking for information about how much she needs to eat, and how much she should weigh.
What I realised is, that there is no need to worry, it is a phase a most toddlers seem to go through. It turns out toddlers are clever little things, they are good at regulating their own appetite, they do not allow themselves to starve, and they are learning which foods they prefer to eat.
I made a decision and stuck to it that if she did not eat what she is offered that would be it! She eats good healthy food only. I am glad I stuck to that decision after reading a story of an obese 18 month old that would only eat chips. Really Long Link
Here are some mealtime tricks that work for me (and keep me sane):
• If babies do not want to eat do not force them they may not be hungry toddlers do not starve if there is food available. Let them out of their high chair to run around a bit more, until they start whinging they are hungry, then offer them food again.
• It is better not to get angry or frustrated; otherwise, it turns into a battle of wills.
•They love interacting with you. Sometimes we smile babble and even high five our way through dinner
•They are becoming independent. They want to try to feed themselves. This is tough and I have to say that I do let Samantha run her hands through her dinner and try to feed herself with her hands. I sit there with a spoon and try to shovel a few spoonfuls of food into her mouth between handfuls. Lunchtimes are easier because it is easy to give finger foods like vegemite sandwiches or chopped fruit she can feed herself.
• In the weekends, my husband and I eat earlier so that we can all sit at the table together. She thinks she is clever eating with mum and dad, especially when she can see we are all eating the same food.
I discovered quite by accident too how much she loves peas when she started trying to grab them off our plates. Therefore, peas are served with every meal now, sometimes she sits there and picks them out.
If she eats all her dinner and is still hungry, she gets a treat like fruit custard or sultanas.
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