Mealtimes (suitable for 1-5)

It isn’t always easy to get the family to sit down to enjoy a meal together. But it is worth the effort. Sharing family meals gives everyone a chance to catch up and enjoy each other’s company. Watching you and other family members eat a range of foods can encourage your child to try new foods.

Choosy (fussy) eaters

It can be very frustrating when your child refuses to eat certain foods or refuses to eat at all. Your child may take a few bites then push their plate away. It’s perfectly normal for toddlers to do this. You may worry about your child getting enough to eat. If your child is active, is growing and thriving and not ill, then they are getting enough to eat, even if it doesn’t seem like it to you.

Babies and children learn by imitating. Your good food choices and eating habits will encourage your child to try new foods and enjoy eating.

Messy Eaters

It is normal for children to be messy when they are learning to feed themselves. As they get older, their muscles and coordination will improve, and mealtimes will be less messy. Children love to play with their food and this is one of the ways they learn. Letting young children play with their food – even if they make a mess – helps them to be better and healthier eaters when they’re older.

Here are some ideas which may help:

• Let your child decide how much to eat. Toddlers have small stomachs and can’t eat much food at one time. Give them small portions and praise them for eating, even if they only manage a little. Let your child eat until they are full. Offer healthy snacks, like fruit, between meals.

• Offer your child a few different things to eat on their plate to encourage them to eat. You may be tempted to offer your child treats just so they ‘eat something’ e.g. ‘If you have your sandwich, you can have some chocolate’. If you offer fatty, sugary or salty snacks instead of healthy foods – your child may become fussier because they know they will be offered other options.

• It helps to have meal times at a similar time every day. Try to have meals before your child gets too hungry or tired to eat. 

• Your child may not eat the same amount each time. Just like you, some days your child will be hungry and other times they will be less hungry.

• Make meal times happy, relaxed and sociable. Eating as a family around the table will give you a chance to enjoy each other’s company. Children like to mimic adults so if they see you eating lots of different healthy foods, they’ll probably do the same.  

• Get your child involved in preparing the meal. Your child will love doing this and it may help them to try new food.

• Let toddler’s feed themselves. Give a toddler finger foods (cut food into strips or fingers) and let your child use their hands rather than a spoon or fork. In the early days of learning to eat, your child will find this easier to manage.

• Let older children serve themselves and have limited choices – “do you want broccoli or green beans?”

• Give them the same food in a different way. Your child may refuse cooked carrots but enjoy raw carrots cut into sticks.

• Ignore the fussing as much as you can. If you give your child lots of attention when they are fussy or not eating, it may encourage them to keep behaving that way. Instead give them lots of attention and praise when they are eating well or trying new foods. 

• Avoid distractions. Try to switch off the TV and eat at the table away from their toys or other distractions.

• Handle accidents in a calm way. Your child’s skills are still developing, so spills are likely to happen. Meal time messes will be easier to clean up if you put some plastic or newspaper under your child’s (high)chair. You might want to have a bib or for older children old clothes handy, if you are worried about getting their clothes dirty.

There is more information about what to feed your child and ideas for meals in the ‘Bump, Baby & Beyond’ book and the Change 4 Life website.

The BDA Paediatric Group has written a range of A5 booklets which provide advice to parents and carers on a range of food related issues, including on children who aren't eating well and fussy eating.