Common Toddler Feeding Concerns Part 2/Detecting Hearing Impairments

This month we offer part two in our series related to the common questions parents ask regarding their toddler's eating habits.

I heard I should not give my toddler juice to drink, why?

Fruit juices are high in sugar and can cause tooth decay. They also contain a non-digestible form of sugar called Sorbitol (this is found in juices such as apple, cherry, peach and pear) which in high amounts can cause diarrhea. Young children should be limited to one glass of juice per day (typically no more than 6 ounces) and because they need 2 servings of fruit per day, should have a piece of fresh fruit as their second serving of fruit instead of more juice. Drinking lots of juice, especially between meals (which is when it mostly occurs) ruins children's appetites for more nutrient rich calorie sources at meals. Offer only water to drink between meals or you can dilute juice with water, one part juice to 3-4 parts water.

My 18 month old will not sit in her chair at dinner and will only eat if I let her sit on my lap-what can I do?

First we have to figure out why she refuses to sit in her chair. Is she using a high chair or booster seat at the table? Is her seat uncomfortable or unsteady, making your lap an easier/more supportive place to eat meals? Is there a mealtime routine at home where everyone is sitting at the table to dine? Did she simply start with crying or acting out when put in her seat at the table and then was taken out of the chair, thus learing that this behavior enabled her to sit on Mom's lap for meals instead of her own chair?

Changing this routine can be challenging if it's become a standard mealtime routine for her, but start by offering lots of lap time for her between meals for playtime and books. If she is not using a highchair, make sure her seat is supportive and comfortable for her so that her body is aligned in a 90-90-90 position that is stable for eating (back against the chair, feet firmly touching a foot rest). Sometimes traditional high chairs can be large even for toddlers and you may need to use towel rolls or build up the footrest to make it more comfortable. Make meals fun by not pressing your daughter to eat, but encouraging self feeding by offering a variety of finger foods and foods she can easily scoop with a spoon or poke with a fork herself to allow independence. Ignore whining or fussing and focus on rewarding her for positive things like using her spoon or chewing food well. Encourage the entire family to be good role models and everyone sit in their own seat at the table together for meals. If your toddler is the only one asked to sit in her high chair while the rest of the family grazes or eats at the coffee table in front of the tv, of course she won't want to sit in her chair. Also if you have a low child's table with child sized chairs, you can let her sit at her own special table for meals or snacks.

Keep in mind that sitting for any extended task is hard for a child this age, including eating. Limit meals to around 20 minutes and be realistic about portion sizes (an average of one tablespoon of each food served per age of the child).

If you have concerns about your child's eating and are in the greater Pittsburgh, PA area visit the link below or call:

Thrive Place™ Child Development Center

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN HERE!

Thrive Place, 4070 Beechwood Blvd., Unit One Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-521-1067