Breast or bottle-feeding a baby may create discomfort and difficulty for the mother. Feeding a two-year old baby is even more challenging especially since young children are notoriously finicky when it comes to food. Children taste things differently than adults do. Their taste buds are generally more sensitive and especially abhor bitter tastes.
I observed that even the smell of bitter food or medicine can signal the baby to refuse its intake. My nieces and nephew would kick their legs violently and seal their lips firmly at the mere sight of their vitamin bottle. Forcing them to ingest their vitamin would often lead to tantrums. A parent may resort to one common technique – offering a bribe – which backfires. Forcing a baby to eat a particular food will often lead to the child’s developing a long-standing aversion to it.
A parent needs to realize that one key factor whether a child will try a new food is whether he associates it with something he already knows and enjoys. A two-year old who likes to eat peaches will probably be willing to try nectarines. A better approach would be for parents to begin changing their mindsets and expecting their children to reject new foods the first time they encounter them. It is also a wise idea to incorporate new foods into familiar presentations so that they don’t seem quite strange.
What do you do if your child refuses to eat anything but peanut-butter-and jelly? First of all, don’t panic. As long as your child is generally healthy and is not losing weight, you have nothing to worry about. It might be a good idea to supplement your child’s food with a chewable children’s multivitamins. Remember that if you don’t make a big deal out of it, your child will probably grow bored with his limited diet within a few weeks.
Here are some ideas that can help finicky eaters become more adventurous:
Remember when your mother told you not to play with your food? Well, she was wrong. (This may, of course, have been the only time she was wrong.) Children learn about the important things in their world by playing with them. Touching, feeling, stretching (tactile experiences), and generally playing with new foods is a way for your children to figure out what they’re like. This doesn’t mean you should allow your child to fling meatballs and noodles across the dining room.
Use social pressure to your advantage. Children pay closer attention to what other kids eat than what adults eat. If older children at your table are trying a new dish, the younger ones will probably taste it. However, be aware that this approach can backfire. Children’s food aversions are also contagious. If an older child refuses to eat a new dish, the younger ones will likely do the same.
Serving the food in an attractive and colorful presentation can invite the child’s attention and can motivate him to taste the food. A creative mother may use a beautifully designed set of plate, fork, spoon and cup. Internet stores and shopping malls have great displays of these items. My niece would consume her food as long as it is served on her Princess’ dining plate. Her motivation? – The plate has to be cleaned and readied for her next meal. She now gained weight.
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