Lowest price this festive season! Code: FIRST10
Health Tips
Updated on 17 March 2023
It can be distressing if your child's mealtimes are a source of concern for you and a source of stress for your child.
Teaching your child good eating habits is easiest if you start right from the beginning, as soon as you introduce your baby to solid foods. But if you feel that mealtimes are a struggle and that your baby is not eating as much or as well as he should be, it isn't too late to change his eating habits.
Forcing food on your toddler is likely to make matters worse and create poor eating habits. It may turn mealtimes into a negative experience full of power struggles. And your toddler is likely to become more resistant to eating and less open to trying new foods in the future.
To begin with, have a chat with your family members and anyone else who cares and feeds your toddler. Accept the fact that everyone wants the best for your child. Then, try to identify problem areas and look for solutions together. Discussing this with all those who care for or feed your baby will ensure that you are all on the same page and stay consistent in your instructions to your child.
What is upsetting about the way your toddler eats, is it that:
Praise your toddler when he eats well. Eating well doesn't necessarily mean finishing his plate. It means that he sits well for long enough to fill his tummy and show signs of being full. Toddlers respond positively to praise. You can even offer a prize of something he likes if he eats well. Do not offer toffees or other sweets as a prize. This will encourage a sweet tooth and get your child used to eating too many sweets. Instead you can offer healthy options like fruit, or deserts like kheer, mishti doi or fruit yoghurt.
A very important part of teaching your child good eating habits is showing the right example. If you are conscious about healthy foods and less healthy options, your child will learn from you. So as much as in the food you cook to the desserts and snacks that you have at home, showing your child that what you eat matters and that not all food is good for you.
Keep in mind that your child's appetite will vary, depending on things like his activity level and whether he's having a growth spurt. And know that you will experience bad days, when your toddler refuses foods he usually likes.
Don't worry too much about a single meal or day. Rather see how your toddler eats over a week. Often, toddlers will compensate for a day of poor eating with a day of eating more.
One way of knowing whether your child is eating and progressing well is to see if he is growing according to his percentile of height and weight. Do not try to increase his percentile, just aim to keep him along the curve over a period of time.
Check in with your doctor if you're concerned about your toddler's appetite or if you feel that he is losing weight. He'll probably check your child's weight and height and usually reassure you that there is no problem, or give you advice if he does suspect something is wrong. If your toddler is losing weight or not putting on weight over time, he could have worms.
Yes
No
Written by
Priyanka Verma
Priyanka is an experienced editor & content writer with great attention to detail. Mother to an 11-year-old, she's a ski
Read MoreGet baby's diet chart, and growth tips
How to Introduce Books to Your Child?
This is how you can talk to your child about strangers
A healthy meal plan for your 2-year-old
Music In Pregnancy: How Does Music Affect Your Baby’s Brain
What is the importance of measuring basal body temperature during conception?
Signs That Children Are Ready for Potty Training
Mylo wins Forbes D2C Disruptor award
Mylo wins The Economic Times Promising Brands 2022
At Mylo, we help young parents raise happy and healthy families with our innovative new-age solutions:
baby carrier | baby soap | baby wipes | stretch marks cream | baby cream | baby shampoo | baby massage oil | baby hair oil | stretch marks oil | baby body wash | baby powder | baby lotion | diaper rash cream | newborn diapers | teether | baby kajal | baby diapers | cloth diapers |