by R.L Hanlon

Created on: June 22, 2009   Last Updated: August 14, 2009

Somewhere between four months and six months of age, a baby will need to be introduced to solids. Suddenly, instead of the milk they've been used to from birth, the introduction to food means your child is experiencing new tastes and new textures that they need to learn how to swallow and consume.

Introducing foods to children can be a daunting experience for parents. Children show their pleasure, but most often their displeasure at what they are being fed, they can gag on their food, spit it out and more often than not, vomit up a Technicolor mess for mom or dad. After tirelessly trying these new foods on our children and they continue to show displeasure, we begin to believe they may be a picky eater.

If your baby becomes a picky eater it will most often continue well into their childhood. So here are a few tips for parents to get your picky child to eat new foods to avoid a problem in the future.

INTRODUCE NEW FOODS SLOWLY

Starting from when your child begins to eat solids, introduce new foods slowly. At first try only one type of pureed fruit or vegetable and continue for approximately a week. Try another fruit or vegetable a week later and so forth.

When they begin to get used to different tastes, you can then blend two or three vegetables together to add variation and more taste.

BE CONSISTENT

Parents must be consistent during this time. If your child shows distaste for a new food, don't immediately give up but continue for another few days. At first your child will gag, move their head away or even swipe at the spoon in your hand. Don't let this deter you, as it doesn't mean that they are fussy.

Give your child food when they are most hungry, not right after they have already had a bottle or have been breastfed.

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO

The number of parents I have seen turn their noses up or make a remark about disliking vegetables in front of their children is many. Your children watch everything you do, so if you find certain vegetables dislikeable, so will they.

Try and eat meals together so your children can observe their parents eating at the same time.

LET YOUR CHILDREN PLAY WITH THEIR FOOD

Children not only learn about their food by taste, but also by touch. What type of food you allow your children to touch or play with will depend on their age. For example, a baby will love mashed banana but sliced apple is not appropriate.

Putting food in front of children to play with teaches them what to

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