Toddlers and fussy eating

Fussy eating is a normal part of development#

Many children, especially toddlers, are picky eaters. This can mean they will not try new foods, or that they reject foods of a particular shape or texture. Up to half of all toddlers fit this description, so it is no surprise that food can be a source of stress for parents.

Many parents worry about their child’s eating habits and whether their child is eating enough. Establishing healthy eating patterns early is important, because it helps prevent problems such as obesity and eating disorders later in life.

Introducing lumpy foods early#

In one study, researchers found that delaying a baby’s introduction to lumpier foods may contribute to fussy eating habits. Lumpy foods are semi-solids, such as small pieces of cooked, soft vegetables, or food that is mashed with a fork.

The study looked at babies who were not given lumpy foods until they were 10 months or older. One in five of them were fussy eaters by the age of 15 months. Compared with babies introduced to lumpy foods between 6 and 9 months, these fussy eaters were twice as likely to have firm food preferences and more likely to insist on baby foods well after their first birthday.

This suggests that offering your baby a wide variety of lumpy or chewy foods between 6 and 9 months can broaden their appreciation of food and reduce the likelihood of fussy eating later on.

Keep offering new foods#

You may need to offer a particular food 10 times or more before your child will choose to eat it. However, around half of parents persist only 2 to 3 times before giving up on a food altogether. Keep offering it without pressure.

Children learn from their parents#

Research indicates that while 25 to 50 per cent of toddlers are fussy eaters, around 25 per cent of them have parents who admit to being fussy eaters too. If you stick to a narrow range of foods, your child may notice and copy your wariness.

Do not limit your child’s food variety to only the foods you prefer. Your child’s tastes may simply be different from yours, and you may be serving foods they happen not to like.

Is my child eating enough?#

Up to half of all parents worry that their child is not eating enough. If your child seems healthy and energetic, they are most likely eating enough.

If you are still concerned, watch how much food they eat across the whole day rather than at single meals. Children tend to graze constantly rather than limit eating to three meals a day like adults, and you may be surprised how those little handfuls and snacks add up. Toddlers are very busy and often do not like to stop to eat, so keep meals and mealtimes small.

For further reassurance, check your child’s growth and weight charts, or see your doctor or child health nurse. Remember that a toddler’s growth rate is slowing, so their food intake may naturally reduce.

Avoid making food a power struggle#

Parents who worry about their child’s eating may try to force or persuade their child to eat. If your child resists, mealtimes can become stressful. Some suggestions to keep things calm:

• Do not delay introducing lumpy foods – most children can manage them by 7 to 8 months.
• Remember that a healthy child will not voluntarily starve themselves. Children are very good at judging their own hunger and fullness signals.
• Keep calm and do not make a fuss about whether your child is eating. Instead, focus on making mealtimes enjoyable family events – if an occasion is enjoyable, your child will want to repeat it.
• Be realistic about how much effort you put into preparing meals, as your child’s stomach is still very small.
• Stay calm when your child refuses food – they may be tired or simply not hungry. Threats, nagging, or yelling will only upset everyone.
• Avoid bribing with sweets, chocolate, biscuits, milk, or dessert. This only teaches your child that those foods are better than the meal you are offering.

Helpful habits at mealtimes#

• Be a good role model. Eat a wide variety of foods yourself and eat together with your child. Eating is an important social activity, and children learn social skills by eating with others.
• Ask your child to help prepare a meal. They are more likely to eat food they have helped to make.
• Set up regular eating routines, such as always using the highchair or eating at the same table.
• Offer a range of colourful foods on the plate and let your child pick and choose what to eat. Present food attractively.
• Encourage self-feeding and let your child explore food with their hands from an early age. Do not worry about the mess – children learn about food through touch as well as taste.
• Offer alternatives from the same food group. For example, if your child dislikes cheese, they may eat yoghurt.
• At the end of the meal (no more than 20 to 30 minutes), take your child’s plate away without any fuss. If they have not eaten much, offer a healthy snack a little later or wait until the next mealtime.
• Keep healthy snacks available, and always supervise eating to avoid any risk of choking. Encourage your child to eat sitting down, not running around.

Watch drinks and meal timing#

Part of the problem may be trying to make your child eat like an adult. A few things to consider:

• Your child’s stomach is small. Too much milk or other drinks may be filling them up. Some children prefer drinks because they do not have to stop their activities for long, so try to reduce how much they drink.
• Juice is high in sugar and is not recommended. Water or milk in a sippy cup is healthier.
• Serve child-size meals – your child can always ask for more. This usually means three small meals a day, with a snack in between.
• If the family dinner is late in the evening, your child may be too tired to eat. Serve their meal earlier, before 5 pm if possible.
• Assess your child’s food intake over the week rather than day by day.
• Let your toddler decide when they have had enough. This teaches them to listen to their body.

Other factors that may put your child off food include being tired, unwell, or emotionally upset. Comfort your child and try offering food again after a rest.

Key points#

• Fussy eating is a normal part of development, affecting up to half of all toddlers.
• Establishing healthy eating patterns early helps prevent problems such as obesity and eating disorders later in life.
• Offer new foods many times without pressure, and avoid making food a power struggle.
• Eating is an important social activity, and children learn social skills when eating with others.
• Always supervise eating to avoid any risk of choking.

Where to get help#