Toddlers often have small appetites and very definite likes and dislikes.
Toddlers like to make their own decisions — not wanting to eat and only liking ''this'' or ''that'' is a way for your child to show his independence. Major battles often involve food.
What you can do
The experts at The Children's Hospital at Westmead say many toddler feeding problems start with adults who often have unrealistic ideas about how much and what kind of food young children need.
If your child is refusing food
Try to offer meals at regular times in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. If your child rejects the food, calmly clear it away. Serve smaller helpings. Try not to bully or fuss; this can easily make the situation worse.
Keep offering new foods even if your child rejects them at first. Food often needs to be familiar before it is tried. Don't bribe your child to eat, it will only encourage him to reject food. Children quickly learn that they can manipulate parents by refusing food. It's a form of entertainment all toddlers enjoy.
Check the amount of fluids your toddler is drinking. Large amounts of fluid (more than a litre) throughout the day will take the edge off any appetite.
Comfort yourself with the following thoughts:
- healthy children eat when they're hungry and usually not before
- a child who refuses to eat isn't hungry and therefore doesn't need food
- no healthy child has ever starved to death from stubbornly refusing food
Handling food fads
Some toddlers have times when their diets become very limited. They will only eat foods prepared or presented in a certain way. Toddlers may develop strong likes and dislikes, which frequently change. These food fads are very common and are probably used by children to show their independence.
Food fads are rarely a danger to health: they change so frequently that the diet eventually becomes quite varied. It's usually easier for parents to play along with harmless food fads rather than fight them.
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