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 do with it, put it into their mouths. Children also love their independence, so by allowing them to feed themselves, they feel independent. While they play with the mess in front of them, you can be feeding from a spoon at the same time.
MAKE FOOD ATTRACTIVE
Heaping any type of food onto a plate will not be attractive for any children; it can actually be quite overwhelming for them. When serving children their food, try and give small amounts and keep them separate. Try using bright colored vegetables, cutting them in a particular way or using a special plate and spoon that is only for your child.
Sauces, gravy and melted cheese over vegetables and meat is also another way to get your children to like the foods they eat. If they like these added to their bowl of vegetables, then encourage them to do so.
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO HELP PREPARE FOOD
Encouraging children to prepare food and discover how it is made and what it consists of is great for picky eaters. Children love to help in the kitchen, especially when it comes to helping with flour or other food items. You could follow this up at dinnertime by telling another parent how your child helped you cook dinner, use plenty of encouraging words and phrases.
USING REWARDS & POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Many parents use rewards to help encourage good eating. If you prepare a sweet for after dinner, you will need to establish very early that this can only be eaten once dinner has been consumed. It's important that you remain consistent with when a reward is given and what type it is, as children rarely forget when a parent may give in.
What you say to your children is also important. Remember to always use positive words and phrases that encourage your children at all times. This is also important at meal times.
USE FOOD TO EDUCATE
Teach your children where their food comes from. You could visit a farm where there are chickens that produce eggs, or perhaps you may grow and harvest your own vegetables and fruit. Encouraging children to learn where certain fruits, vegetables and food come from also teaches them about healthy food choices and encourages them to eat it.
As a parent it's important to encourage healthy eating from a young age. Your children observe everything that you do, so eating a variety of foods yourself is important. Always use encouragement and positive reinforcement, help kids learn about their food, discover new tastes and textures and you will find they begin to be less picky about what they are served for dinner.