Mastering mealtimes
Now your child is two they should probably be at the stage where they're eating pretty much the same meals as the rest of the family. However, some two year olds are either ‘fussy eaters' (by this I mean they refuse to eat or even try some foods), and others don't seem to want to eat at all. Many Mini Ps parents tell me that this can turn mealtimes into a battleground.
What's this all about?
Firstly it's important to remember that all children are born with a survival instinct - and of course this includes eating appropriately. That said when confronted with a very picky eater or a child who refuses to eat, as parents it's completely natural to worry.
How should you handle it?
As far as possible, I would avoid both punishment or bribery when it comes to food, as you are in danger of exacerbating the problem.
Beverley Pressey a dietician and author of Simple & Savvy - strategies for creating healthy eaters says:
Unfortunately in our attempts to nourish our children, we become disciplinarians. This will simply not work. In fact it could permanently damage your child's innate ability to regulate their own appetite, leading to life long eating and weight problems.
It's therefore really important not to allow mealtimes to become a battle between you and your child. Of course it's worrying if you think that your child's not eating enough, or enough of the ‘right' foods.
One strategy is to offer a variety of foods. If you have a picky eater try to ascertain what it is about particular foods that they dislike. For example, some children are particularly fussy about texture. My eldest was very particular when it came to ‘lumps'. Chunky vegetable soup was a no no - however, smooth vegetable soup was fine. Likewise cooked carrot seemed to present a problem, but he loved raw carrot. It can be tricky to persuade a picky eater to try new things, but the more you can get them to try, the more potential foods you'll be able to offer.
If you are particularly concerned about your child eating enough, bear in mind that children's appetites can be erratic and often if they don't eat very much one day, they will eat more the next day.
In this instance offering food at regular intervals can be helpful. However, make sure that this is as per your schedule - not one defined by your child. Experts suggest offering food every three hours - obviously this needn't be a full meal, but a balance of meals and healthy snacks.
If your child elects not to eat very much just remind them that there won't be anything else to eat until the next snack or mealtime and be sure to stick to your guns. This will help your child understand that they have to eat when food is offered, and that they cannot simply demand it.
Finally, try not to have distractions such as having the TV on during mealtimes - as it can lead to children being more interested in the TV than the food.
Play & Pretend
Get your child into a mindset to be more adventurous with food with our imaginary Pot Luck Pie game.
