Toddlers and fussy eating (merged)

kay41_2

my DD used to eat everything when she was little, and is now a bit fussy at 7, but I was a very fussy eater as a child and now love food! Have you tried home made fish goujons - just cut strips of salmon, cod etc. brush with mayonnaise (keeps them really moist) and roll in breadcrumbs and bake or fry - they are yummy! HOw about filled pasta, or just pasta with a bit of pesto. They say yo have to offer a child something up to 20 times before it becomes a habit - eek! I've heard the messing with food thing too - maybe on a warm sunny day...

Do you eat with your little one? My DD eats everything my parents give her, and refuses the identical food at home. I find she eats much better and more varied stuff if we eat with her, but I know it's not always practical.

I presume you have tried the usual tricks of making pictures with food, like boats and sunshine eggs etc. My mum used to pretend to have made a cake and whizz a couple of eggs with some sugar and flour in a cake bowl to get me to eat eggs! She also decorated fruit puddings with sprinkles, sugar flowers, silver baubles etc. Have yto tried making muffins with hidden fruit in? Annabel Karmel has some good recipes.

Cullumpster

Thanks Kay i'll try that, hadn't though of the making pictures with food actually but i'll definately try it.

Pink.

Hi Callumpster,

There are lots of threads on the Families board on weaning/feeding little ones, so I'll move your thread across to see if you can get some more suggestions.

Pink

Cullumpster

Thanks Pink

Olliebeak

Do you eat the same things as you want him to eat? If he sees you eating the same he may be a bit more accepting (fingers crossed?).

Another thing that worked with one of mine was to tell him it wasn't for him, but make a great deal of doing 'yummy noises' while eating it myself. Funnily enough, they always seem to want what someone else is having - might be worth a try.

Cullumpster

yes he does well most of the time but he just wont eat the 'wet' stuff, no mash spuds or spag bol, but he'll eat a sausage and a chunk of garlic bread

freda

Is he able to join in helping you make the food? Stirring the spag bol, for example, grating some cheese or putting chopped veg into a pan? If he joins in the preparation he may be more interested to see what it tastes like, and will get a buzz from you enjoying eating what he has helped make, which may encourage him to try it too.

Cullumpster

Thanks freda yes i'll try that but he only still really small for his age (Still in 9-12 mths clothes ahh) so he just tries to grab everything but he does like mixing if i'm making cakes he has his own little bowl to mix with.

wotnext

Cullumpster wrote: »

yes he does well most of the time but he just wont eat the 'wet' stuff, no mash spuds or spag bol, but he'll eat a sausage and a chunk of garlic bread

My son was like this. He had a really problem with anything wet or 'messy' - including food.

We were advised to not stress and instead try messy play with him and it really helped. Use some of that whipped cream that sprays from a can (I cannot remember what it is called) and let them play with it to their hearts content - either on the tray of his highchair or on the table. Even adding a bit of jelly in to the mix for a different texture helps. Maybe some chunks of fruit, yoghurts etc... you can let your imagination run riot. Get some of their toys to rub in it. Not for the faint-hearted parent but it certainly gets the children used to different textures and they can eat it if they want. It associates food and 'mess' with fun things.

The important thing is not to keep wiping their face or 'cleaning' too much. Just let them go for it.

Be warned - have a bowl of water, a flannel and a towel to hand because when it's finished it's a game trying to clean them up!

Sarahsaver

Cullumpster it sounds like someone some time has got stressed with him because he has got messy!
Have a doughnut eating contest the sugary ones, the winner is the one who eats the whole thing without licking their lips.
best advice is what most people say don't make an 'issue' of it and best of all dont let him know you are worried by it cos it can begin a control thing on the part of the child.
many parents would be glad their child is willing to eat the things your littlun does!