Navigating Eating Challenges in Childhood
Experiencing challenges with eating is a common during childhood, but it can be quite distressing for parents. In this video, we look at various techniques and strategies aimed at encouraging your child not only to eat but also to choose the right foods that support their health. The session lasts just under 20 minutes and includes additional resources to help foster healthy eating habits in your child.
Watch the support video on eating challenges here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lay0LGZRdpM
Fussy Eating
Most children, believe it or not, go through a phase of not eating well. Fussy eating is now recognised as a normal part of a child’s development. In some cases, it is a statement of independence, or it can be a demand for attention, often occurring at a time of change, for example when a sibling arrives. Sometimes it follows an illness such as an infection. There is no doubt that it can be a very worrying and upsetting time for parents. Your child may refuse to eat things he/she has previously liked, insist on eating one food, or appear to eat next to nothing. Don’t worry a healthy child is not going to starve themselves. However, if you are concerned that your child is not getting enough nourishment or is losing weight, get professional advice from your GP. They will be able to check your child’s growth rate and help reassure you that, despite their limited diet, your child is managing to remain healthy.
But remember no two children are the same, so there is no clear way to resolve this situation. However, there are some things you can do which may help to avoid tension and upset at mealtimes and see you through to the end of the fussy phase in one piece.
Tips to deal with fussy eaters
- Don’t make eating into a big issue. Be firm and encouraging but don’t force your child to eat if he/she really doesn’t want to. Praise them when they eat something but don’t scold when they refuse to eat.
- NEVER force a child to eat.
- Make mealtimes regular and stick to the routine.
- Limit snacks and drinks between meals so the child feels hungrier when it comes to mealtimes.
- Let your child participate in the choosing and preparation of meals. Children are more likely to eat this food if they think they have helped to make it.
- Try to make meals fun. Arrange the food to make pictures on the plate or even better encourage your child to do it himself.
- Make mealtimes into social occasions by eating as a family without distractions such as television. Don’t keep offering your child food that they obviously dislike, find alternatives and vary the meals.
- Try to serve smaller portions of food to your child.
- Offer drinks after a meal so that they don’t spoil their appetite.
- If your child is playing with their food and has not eaten anything quietly remove the plate with no fuss and don’t offer pudding.
- Keep a list of the foods your child will eat and put it on the fridge/notice board in the kitchen. As each new triumph occurs add it to the list.
- Keep offering new foods but do not assume that if something is refused today that it will be refused for life. Try it again next week.
- Expect to make very gradual progress.
- You may find it helpful to keep a weekly record of what your child has eaten, including snacks. You may be surprised to find out how much your child has eaten outside of mealtimes.
- Some children are very slow eaters. Be patient and let them eat in their own time within reason.
- Try to avoid fizzy drinks because they are very filling. It is best to stop buying them altogether for a while, or at least till things improve.
- Do not give in to your child’s demands and replace nutritious meals with sweets, biscuits and crisps etc. If you do it once your child will expect this.
- Does your child look well? Is he/she energetic and healthy? If so, your child may just have a naturally small appetite.
For more information:
Contact your School Nursing Team or see the below link for further information around challenges with eating:
NHS – Advice for parents – Eating disorders – NHS
