Is Your Child a Fussy Eater?  

What do you do when your child becomes a fussy eater and food is definitely not on your child’s agenda?

Most children will go through a stage where they either refuse to eat at all or become fussy eaters. Although this is quite common, it can be upsetting and worrying for parents when it happens.

Leapfrog has put together a few tips to help parents tackle their children’s fussy eating habits:

• Don’t force them to eat – this will only them anxious at mealtimes
  
• Ignore your child’s bad behaviour. If they have a tantrum, don’t rise to it; never show that you’re upset and stay calm
  
• Give a choice of foods each mealtime and let your child choose which one they would like, i.e. cornflakes or weetabix. If your child refuses to choose one, leave them along until they have made their mind up
  
• Introduce different foods – this will help them to know what they like and what they don’t and can encourage a healthy, balanced diet
  
• Children are more likely to try food if it looks attractive; arrange food so it looks like a face or something children will recognise
  
• Draw up a star chart. Give your child a star for each meal they have eaten; once they have reached four or five stars, let them choose a non-food reward
  
• Don’t give large portions – a full plate can be daunting for young children
  
• Limit mealtime to 30 minutes
  
• Give praise after each meal, even if they haven’t eaten everything. This will encourage them to make a big effort next time
  
• Make mealtimes fun – have picnics, meals out, invite friends round for dinner etc…