If your toddler turns their nose up at dinner, you’re in good company. Fussy eating is a normal part of toddler development, and most children grow out of it. Raising Children Network says that choosing what to eat, or what not to eat, is part of how children explore and assert their independence.
Here is what’s normal, what helps, and when it’s worth getting advice.
Between 1 and 6 years, it’s common for a child to be very hungry one day and pick at food the next. Liking a food one day and rejecting it the next, eating more or less from day to day, and refusing new foods are all typical. Pickiness usually eases with age, especially when children have been offered a wide variety of foods.
It can take 10 to 15 tries, or more, before a child accepts a new food. Serve a small amount alongside a food they already like, and don’t be discouraged by a refusal. Seeing, smelling and touching a food all count as steps towards eating it.
Offer meals and snacks at regular times, keep mealtimes to about 20 minutes, and turn off the TV. A five minute warning before eating or a handwashing routine can help a distracted child settle at the table.
Never force your child to try a food. Start with small portions, and let your toddler serve themselves from shared dishes where you can. Avoid using sweets as a reward for eating vegetables, because it can make treats seem special and vegetables seem like a chore.
Toddlers learn by watching. Eat a range of foods yourself and show you enjoy them, including touching, smelling and tasting new things out loud.
A choice between two or three healthy options gives your toddler some control. Letting them help with simple tasks, such as washing vegetables, tossing a salad or picking herbs, can also make them more interested in eating what they’ve helped make.
Filling up on milk, juice or “sometimes” foods before a meal can dampen appetite. Offer water between meals and keep snacks small and planned.
A big reaction to a refused meal can make food more of a battle. If your toddler doesn’t eat, calmly take the plate away and offer the next meal or snack at its usual time.
If your toddler is healthy and has energy to play, learn and explore, they’re probably eating enough. Raising Children Network advises talking to a GP, family health nurse or dietitian if your child eats only a very small range of foods or avoids whole food groups for more than a few weeks. Speak to a professional sooner if your child gags, chokes or seems unwell when eating, loses weight or has signs of an allergy.
Children often eat differently at childcare, where they see other children eating and follow the group’s routine. Meals are a daily part of the early learning day. You can read about how we approach food on our philosophy page, which includes a section on nutrition.
Refusing foods they used to eat is common between 1 and 6 years. Growth, tiredness, distraction and a growing sense of independence can all play a part.
Raising Children Network says it can take 10 to 15 tries or more before a child accepts a new food.
No. Forcing children to eat can make mealtimes stressful. Offer a healthy meal and let your toddler decide how much to eat.
Occasional days like that are normal. If it becomes a pattern, check that snacks aren’t filling your toddler up before meals, and talk to your health nurse if you’re concerned.
If your toddler eats a very small range of foods, avoids whole food groups for more than a few weeks, or seems low on energy, talk to a GP, family health nurse or dietitian.
