Eye Safety/Feeding Fussy Toddlers

It is really surprising how much time and effort is wasted on trying to force feed a toddler to eat three square meals a day. Most of this is only a myth. A toddler will only eat as much as they feel comfortable with. Toddlers tend not to need three large meals a day, but, maybe four or five smaller ones depending on activity, size, and an assortment of other things.

Trying to force your toddler to eat is useless.
Ever tried getting them to open up, here comes the airplane? Well, it's a waste of time. Some toddlers take to food like a duck to water, almost to the point of scraping the pattern from the plate, while others sit and play or dawdle and run at first chance, finding food a complete bore. There are thin toddlers, there are chubby toddlers, some toddlers will consume anything and others are extremely picky, all this is part of a child's personality, and won't change no matter how hard you try.

Don't Fight, Feed

The times at which meals are given are fairly important. Toddlers want to eat when they are hungry, even though it may not be mealtime. Remember that a light snack such as fresh fruit won't do them any harm or interfere with their regular feeding time.

Here Are Some Tips For Mealtimes

1. Meals need to be organized, uninterrupted and peaceful. Noisy disorganized meals will distract your toddler from what they are supposed to be concentrating on. Toddlers should sit at the table with the rest of the family, if need be a parent should sit beside the toddler so they can assist with feeding.

2. As much as your toddler should eat a varied meal the same as the rest of the family, if variety is not your toddler's strong point then serve the same things they like, so long as it's nutritional. They're the ones who have to eat it, not you. If your child is healthy, of adequate weight and height for age and is not exhibiting the characteristics of a Problem Feeder then you can relax a bit during meals.

3. Your child should know the rules of dinner time. These rules should include, when your toddler eats a fair portion of the meal then he is entitled to have his dessert. If your toddler point blank refuses to eat his meal but wants the dessert, the answer must be a firm no. Explain the reasons why in terms a toddler can understand.

4. When preparing a meal, keep in mind that if your toddler refuses to eat a meal that has taken hours to prepare, you are not going to be the happiest person in the house!

5. Gently encourage your toddler to eat, don't use bribes or force. Don't get angry if he doesn't eat, remain calm and neutral, keeping meals positive and pleasant.

6. Let your child sit alone for a while if he is dawdling and taking his time, its no good you getting upset or stressed over it. When you are sure your toddler is not going to eat any more, clean up and allow him to leave the table.

7. Your toddler has the right to eat or not eat his food and the parent should not waste time with fighting over it. This being said, your toddler should not be allowed anything else to eat like chips and candy or even fruit until such time they have eaten their meal. You can save the meal, cover it in the fridge and then if your toddler complains they are hungry an hour or more later, you can offer the same meal again.

If you follow these simple tips, your mealtimes should run a lot more smoothly.

Article contributed by Theresea Hughes, creator of Free Toddlers Activity and Discipline Guide used by permission, with some content & grammar editing.

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

Thrive Place™ Child Development Center

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