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Fussy eating might be a normal part of childhood, but that doesn’t make it any easier for worried parents trying to make sure their child is happy and healthy.
We’re here to tell you that despite the mealtime madness, and possibly even tears (theirs and yours!), you’re doing a great job.
Here are some tips that parents of all fussy eaters should know.
Sponsored by Biostime Nutrition
If it feels like more food ends up on the floor than in your toddler’s mouth, that’s okay. A great way for kids to learn about foods – smell, taste and texture – is through play. The good news is that food play doesn’t have to be throwing nuggets and making a mess. It can also be getting your toddler to help you meal prep, chop vegetables (with a toddler-safe knife), or mix ingredients together. The more exposure they get to certain foods, the more likely they are to eat them…one day.
Struggling to get your toddler to sit at the table and eat their dinner? The truth is, if your child is sitting still anywhere between seven and 10 minutes, you’re winning! So don’t be so hard on yourself.
A common mistake parents can make is forcing their kids to try new foods. As Raising Children Network explains, it can take 10-15 times for children to be exposed to be a new food before they actually eat it, so make sure new foods are served alongside foods you know they will eat. They probably won’t try the new food on the first go, but that’s okay!
When it comes to toddlers getting enough nutrients, the one to be concerned about is iron. If your toddler isn’t getting enough iron because of fussy eating habits, then a toddler milk drink with added iron, like Biostime SN-2 BIO PLUS Premium Organic Toddler Milk Drink Stage 3, could be an option for peace of mind.
Parents in the Tell Me Baby community – some of whom received a free sample – recommend this toddler milk drink for fussy eaters. One parent wrote in her review that her three-year-old son is a very fussy eater and drank this without any problems.
“I rely on cow’s milk to fill him up in between his grazing of banana, peanut butter sandwiches and [snacks],” she says. “This formula offers him the nutrients he is missing from actual food.”
She adds: “I do recommend this product for a toddler who is a fussy eater as it provides nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for growth and it seems to be gentle on the gut.”
Read Biostime SN-2 BIO PLUS Premium Organic Toddler Milk Drink Stage 3 reviews on Tell Me Baby.
It’s very normal for toddlers to not feel like dinner, or skip a meal. Children are really good at knowing when they are full. If your toddler has a big breakfast or lunch, it’s possible that come dinnertime, they’re finished eating for the day. Additionally, when your toddler goes through a growth spurt, their appetite increases too. However, at other times, they could live off a few bites of toast. The parents’ job is to keep offering food, the toddler’s job is to decide how much they want to eat. Just remember they have small tummies and may only need small servings at mealtimes.
At around the 18 month/two year mark, parents can expect toddlers to become more fussy with what they eat as their senses go through a development boost, causing some challenges with taste and texture. Although this is a normal phase, parents should keep serving small amounts of a wide variety of foods.
As hard as it is to sit back and watch your toddler ignore the delicious meal you’ve made for them, pressuring a toddler to eat won’t work. That means avoiding saying things like, “Go on, just try a little bit.” Or, “One bite, okay!” Instead, keep the long game in mind: offer new foods along with foods you know they will eat, and eventually (when the stars and moon align), your toddler will try it.
Of course, if you are worried about your child’s fussy eating, see your GP or another healthcare care provider. You know your child better than anyone else, so trust your gut!
NB: Toddler milk drink can be included in your toddler’s diet as a supplement, which may be beneficial when intake of energy and nutrients are inadequate to meet the child’s needs. Should not be used for children under 12 months.
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