Mealtimes can be an extremely stressful time when you have a toddler. Just when you think you’ve found their new favorite food and can feed this to them for the next week with ease, they will change their minds. Toddlers generally don’t enjoy vegetables, so any meal you can get into their tummies is a win.
Here are some tips that can make your life, as a Mom (or Dad) just a little bit easier:
- Make sure your toddler has good posture during mealtimes. Try get them to sit at a table or in a highchair with their feet supported and not dangling in the air.
- Schedule mealtimes to create a routine and offer less snacks and water or juice right before.
- Let your toddler eat by themselves, even if that means using their hands rather than utensils.
- Serve your toddler the same meal (or a version of) as the family. This will increase exposure to various textures and flavours.
For those very picky eaters:
- If your toddler is not eating too many vegetables, you can make mini smoothies with hidden veggies. Use milk, 1 frozen banana, 1 other fruit and 1 veg. Using less ingredients with ensure a simple flavour and good texture for your toddler to drink. You can also use a spoon of peanut butter to add flavour.
- 2-minute noodles is also an easy alternative, you can add “cup of soup” either tomato, creamy butternut or country veg flavour to introduce those veggies.
- Get your toddler to help you prepare the meal, this way they become interested in what’s on their plate and more likely to eat some of it.
- Try to create a relaxed environment around mealtimes, toddlers feel pressure and anxiety and are less likely to eat in this state.
If your child is eating no matter how little, praise them. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, getting your toddler to eat is a very common struggle that parents deal with daily. The above tips are only a guideline, and one Mom’s opinion on what has made my life easier. If your child is consistently not eating, please seek the advice of a medical professional.