The toddler years are a very exciting and busy time for children. They begin to learn skills and behaviours related to food and eating, and also develop attitudes to food. Many toddlers begin to display characteristics of ‘fussy eating’ which can be quite daunting for parents. Many start to worry that their child is not eating enough. This can result in power struggles or ‘battles’ between parent and child at mealtimes.

If this is something you are experiencing with your child, here are some things to consider:

1. 1.Although your child grows very quickly in the first 12 months of their life, their rate of growth slows down in the second year of their life. Because of this, their appetite decreases and they may begin to refuse foods that they had happily eaten before.
   

2. 2.Toddlers begin to develop their independence at the same time that they develop a fear of new experiences and new foods. Because of this, they are more likely to refuse foods that they have not seen or tried before.
   

3. 3.Toddlers are more capable of expressing their likes and dislikes and therefore may be more capable of refusing foods they had once happily eaten.
   

4. 4.It is therefore absolutely normal for toddlers to begin to refuse foods. It is also normal for toddlers to eat varied amounts of food from day-to-day.
   

So here are some practical tips to help manage you manage mealtimes with your child:

1. 1.Provide meals and snacks in a structured, routine environment. This will make toddlers feel secure and know what to expect around food.
   

2. 2.Offer a range of healthy foods to your child and let them decide whether they will eat it and how much they will eat. Use a range of colours, textures and shapes of food to make meals look appealing.
   

3. 3.Give children choice in their food intake (healthy options). For example, let them choose between two types of fruit or two sandwich fillings. However, avoid letting them choose between, for example, fruit (healthy option) and cake (less healthy option).
   

4. 4.Continually offer a food even if your toddler refuses it the first time. A child may need to see a food 6-7 times before they taste it and may need to taste a food 10-15 times before they like it.
   

5. 5.Be a good role model. Children learn by watching others. This includes their family and friends. Positive encouragement also helps.
   

6. 6.Allow your toddler to touch, smell and taste food as toddlerhood is a time of exploration. Be prepared for mess!
   

7. 7.Do not force your child to eat. Children will not starve themselves. They have a natural ability to know when they are hungry and when they are full. Forcing children to eat will only override this natural ability and can set children on a path of overeating.
   

8. 8.Set a time limit on meals (20-30 minutes) and snacks (10-20 minutes) and do not force your child to eat anything they have not eaten in that time.
   

9. 9.Avoid allowing your child to consume too much milk. This will fill your child’s small tummy quickly and therefore they will not be hungry to eat at the next meal. Toddlers should not drink more than two to three cups of milk each day.
   

10. 10.Toddlers have small stomachs so offer small nutritious meals and snacks about 5-6 times per day.
    

11. 11.Avoid distractions when your toddler eats. Turn off the TV and remove toys and games from sight.
    

So, in summary:

1. 1.Toddlers’ appetites and food intake vary from day-to-day. This is normal and so is fussy eating.
   

2. 2.The role of parents is to provide healthy food in a structured environment and the role of the child is to decide what and how much they eat.
   

3. 3.Toddlers may reject new foods at first, but with continued exposure to the sight, smell and taste of the food, they can learn to like it. Be patient and keep offering it.
   

For more advice regarding your child’s eating, book in for a chat with one of our Fresh Nutrition Dietitians to discuss your personal circumstances.