Do’s and Don’ts for picky eaters

22 May Do’s and Don’ts for picky eaters

Picky eating can be described as fussy or faddy and usually results in a child refusing the food and becoming upset or frustrated around times when new foods are presented.

The majority of children go through phases of fussy eating, particularly as toddlers.

This can often be part of normal development and nothing that needs particular interventions.

Do’s

Get the seating right.

Children need their feet supported, hips and knees at 90 degrees and table in between chest and tummy button height.

Watch your child.

Are they tucking their feet under them or kicking out, propping their feet on the table or chair legs?

Play with the food.

Allow them to explore the food; encourage it!

Our fingers will give our brains information about what the teeth need to do to cope with that food.

Copy what your child does with their food and then model something a little bit harder (e.g., if they poke it with one finger, copy that then squash the food.

If they copy, then you can do that, if they look upset, take it back a step to poking the food again.

Don’ts

Avoid TV and mobile during mealtimes.

Don’t blame yourself.

Don’t give up on a new food.

Don’t fear your child’s hunger.

Don’t use food in a good food/ bad food way.