Toddlers That Just Won't Eat
Handling Picky Eaters, Light Eaters and Appetite Slumps
By Jacqueline Bodnar
- Consistency. If you offer your child something once or twice and she doesn't like it, don't give up. It may take more than 20 attempts at offering that food to her before she acquires a taste for it.
- Avoid Grazing. Some people advocate grazing, but if a toddler eats throughout the day, it's unlikely that he will have much of an appetite when it's time for a meal. Children do, however, need a couple of small, healthy snacks throughout the day.
- Liquid Calories. Juice, milk and other liquids all add to the caloric intake and can decrease appetite at meals. Monitor liquid intake. It's best to offer water during the day, which won't ruin a toddler's appetite.
- Portion Control. Often, parents have a distorted idea of what a toddler's portion size should be, and so they pile a lot of food on the plate. Keep in mind that a toddler's portion will be about one-fourth to half of an adult's portion size.
- One a day. Be sure to give your child a daily vitamin, if she is old enough.
- Control. Put your children in control by letting them feed themselves. By a year old, they should be able to pick up small pieces of food and feed themselves.
- Don't Push. As much as possible, avoid pushing the child to eat, and never force her to eat anything.
- Seeking Help. If your toddler's lack of appetite is prolonged, he is losing weight, is not energetic or seems ill, consult your pediatrician.
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