One day my son suddenly decided that he hates everything. He stopped eating at all and hates the sight of the food. His behaviour has become erratic wherein he like specific meal one day and believe me he dislike the same dish another day.
Does this happen with you as well ? Do you also feel that your toddler has suddenly become fussy eater? Do you start feeling anxious before the meal time?This is one of the biggest parenting issues, wherein my son started giving me difficult time with the food. Gradually , I discovered that changing things here and there make a difference and he again started liking the food.
Here are few tips to cope up with a fussy Eater and to inculcate good eating habits in your child:
1)
Vegetable shopping with Toddlers : Take the little one with you to the super mart and encourage him to pick up his favourite vegetables . Give him a little basket and even money (in case he is old enough ) to buy his own vegetables. This will give him sense of responsibility and pride. He would learn something new.
2)
Preparing food with kids : Now , you can take help of your child for preparing food. If you are making gravy, ask the little one to add ingredients in the same. Make him sit next to you and give him cheese or some vegetable to cut with butter knife. This would help him to develop the co ordination and he would surely want to eat his own cooked food
3)
Experimenting with variety of food : Toddlers are likely to accept new food after trying it for at least 8 - 10 times. I make sure that my son at least have one bite of everything that on the table. Positive attention and praise can actually do wonder
4)
Less Junk Food : One thing that actually helped is to reduce intake of junk food. I have started keeping healthy nutrient food at my place. Now, whenever the child feels hungry he would binge over healthy snacks
5)
Don't force your child : I know its quite difficult to maintain the temper and to convince your child to eat the food. However, never bribe your food. Don't tell your child that he would be given dessert if he finishes his food as this would in turn develop unhealthy habit of consuming sweets and fat food. Please don't pressurise your child to eat food. Let him take his decision on how much he wants to eat.
6)
Shouting would make it more difficult : Eating habits can be quite stressful for both parents and children but please don't start getting angry. Angry discipline is always right . To remain calm and to make your child comfortable is the key. Remember, its meal time and everyone wants to enjoy it with happiness.
Trust me, I did make these few changes and now my son is quite better with his eating habits. He loves to go for food shopping and likes to cook with mummy.
Do not put stress on the food being served but let him understand the positive side of enjoying the mealtime as a family. Let me know in-case you have the similar parenting issue ? If yes, then please let me know if these tips helped your little one..Till then happy Parenting !!