As a new mother, it is natural for you to be worried about your toddler’s food habits and whether she’s getting the right amount of nutrients for healthy growth and development. Here’re answers to some of the most common question that pop up when you’re at your wits end trying to make your baby eat.
What is a sign that my child is eating fine?
Toddlers tend to be extremely choosy and fussy about what goes into their little tummies, causing you to worry if she’s eating enough. But as long as your little one is gaining healthy weight and meeting her developmental milestones without much trouble, you can rest assured she’s doing fine.
Why does my child want the same food over and over again?
Toddlers are also known for their mood swings and unpredictable tastes – they sometimes go on food jags, eating a few favorite foods for days at a stretch. It can be alarming for parents, when the baby doesn’t eat but there’s no need to worry. Her preferences will change soon, even if it takes a little extra effort to introduce new foods into her diet. Start by trying to make the new food look similar to a familiar favorite.
How can I get my child to eat a balanced diet?
A balanced and nutritious diet is key, not just for adults, but also for toddlers. To ensure that your child gets the right amount of nutrients at the right time, mix different foods together. For instance, a toddler who doesn’t like to eat eggs can be fed the same by mixing it with khichdi that he eats.
Avoid feeding her foods like cookies & chips, that can fill her up and make her reject healthier foods.
Food not only provides nourishment but also allows your toddler to explore what’s on her plate. Make the most of your mealtime through creative ideas like cutting food into fun shapes, using fun platters, using foods that bring color to the table and letting your toddler play with her food while she eats.
What are the things I should avoid while feeding my child?
Don’t force-feed – As mothers, we are never content. We always want to feed our babies a little more. But force-feeding can make your child grumpy simply because she is not equipped to eat more than she needs. No one is, but the little ones lack the ability to tell you that they are full or that they don’t want more, so it’s important to recognise the warning signs.
Some of the common ones include spitting up heavily, non-stop burping sessions, getting slow and lethargic, getting fussy immediately after being fed and not eating altogether.
Don’t overlook – Your child is ultimately in control of what she eats and what she doesn’t; the more you force or fret, the more reluctant she becomes. If you are deciding when your child is hungry and when she needs to stop eating, you are coming in the way of your child recognising hunger and a full stomach. Learn to recognise your child’s signs of hunger and fullness, and follow through accordingly.
Don’t panic – Be patient when the baby doesn’t eat . Provide lots of age-specific food choices at regular mealtimes and closely monitor your child’s eating habits for sometime. Most toddlers balances out their meals over the course of a few days. However, if poor appetite continues for more than a week, you may consider getting her checked out. Take a look at the Best Foods for Babies.