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Mealtimes

Food Dislikes

Even when children gag on foods and appear to hate them, this may be because they are simply not used to them, but they can become accustomed to them if reintroduction is a stress free take-it-a-step-at-a-time experience. If you are consistent, persistent and stick with it, your child will probably come round. Keep in mind that it often takes 15 tries before a child will start to like new foods.

Getting children to try new foods is hard and they shouldn’t feel pressured into it. Becoming familiar with the look, smell, texture and feel of foods often leads children to want to try them, so don’t let worries about mess inhibit the process. Relax, children are meant to be messy and it makes them feel that food isn’t dirty or something to worry about. Let your child help prepare the food and then it will seem less strange or unfamiliar.

In order to get the full flavour, try and get your child to taste a whole mouthful, by explaining that “When you keep trying something you start to like it”. She may even be surprised to find that she enjoys it. Never lie to your child about what she's eating. Being honest will help her learn to identify food by taste.

Don't Offer Alternatives

The main mistake I come across is that of parents offering alternatives to their child when they do not eat what is first offered to them. This is to be avoided at all costs, because your child will appear to become very fussy and end up wasting a lot of food. The reason I say, 'appear' is because on countless occasions I have seen a child in my care eat a meal without the slightest hesitation and really enjoy it, only to refuse to when her parents come home, saying that she doesn't like it - because she knows that her parents will immediately give in to her demands for something different. I always think this is such a shame because the parents do not get to see their child eat a nutritious meal and enjoy it. For them mealtimes are always a struggle, where they offer countless different foods to try and please their child.

This is very frustrating and it puts the power back into the child's hands. You will run around offering different dishes to try and please your child, and in the end you will resort to offering your child's favourite food just so that they eat something, but you are setting yourself up for a very difficult future. And mealtimes will always be distraught. Don’t worry if your child doesn’t eat what you’ve offered her, it’s all about what you serve, not what she eats.

Don't Stress

Children play off your stress at mealtimes, as they know you really want them to eat. This is why eating is usually such a big problem, because children quickly learn this is the one thing they have complete power over… whether they eat your food or not! If you offer a meal to your baby or child and she refuses point blank to eat it don't force her, just leave it. Never force-feed a baby or child. It's not only cruel but can cause real and lasting eating problems. Again I must stress don't get yourself upset, she will sense your tension and get upset herself. JUST RELAX!

For many more ideas, tips and more in depth advice or if you have a real problem getting your child to eat, I can help! Just use the Services page to obtain further guidance!

Make Mealtimes Fun

To sum up: try to make mealtimes fun from the very beginning. Don't get worried or tense unless your child is refusing to eat altogether and losing weight, in which case you MUST seek medical attention. But if your child is gaining weight and is generally fit and healthy you should have no problems. If you're concerned that your child is a fussy eater get in touch... I can help! Use the Services page to sign up!

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