It is easy to feel frustrated, stressed, or even defeated when handling a picky eater — however, children being picky about food is only a phase of growing up, and most of them go through it to some degree. Is there a way you can help your child get more adventurous with food and build healthy eating habits that stick with them forever? Our pediatric care providers in Highland, Indiana are going to share some tips below.
The reasons children can be so picky about food.
Most children start getting picky about food around 14 months old, which is when they start figuring out what they like and don’t like. It is completely normal for children to have food preferences, but it can become problematic if they keep rejecting the same meals over and over or start demanding separate meals.
You need to address your child’s picky eating habits fast because these habits can stick around until age nine if they are ignored. If you are feeling alone in this, you should find a licensed pediatric care provider in Highland, Indiana who can help.
Simple ways to make family mealtimes more enjoyable.
Mealtimes can turn into complete chaos with a picky eater, but you should always try to keep the atmosphere at the table positive and stress-free. The more pressure you put on your child to eat, the more likely they are to resist, so don’t beg, bribe, or force them to eat.
What you should do instead is focus on keeping mealtimes fun and exciting. Eat together as a family and lead by example because your child will notice and learn from you.
You should also remember that children are much more likely to try something new if they assisted in making the meal. Why not get them involved in the kitchen and let them do simple tasks like washing vegetables, stirring ingredients, or picking out a recipe?
Can you balance structure and choice when feeding your child?
Having set times for meals and snacks can be a big help when dealing with picky eaters. But within that structure, it is also good to give them some freedom to make their own choices.
This method is called the Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding (sDOR). Under sDOR, you decide what foods are served and when, and your child gets to decide how much they want to eat or if they even want to eat at all. This takes some of the pressure off both of you and makes mealtimes a lot less stressful.
Again, you can have your child make small decisions to give them a sense of control. For example, let them pick out a vegetable at the store or choose between two healthy dinner options. Small choices like this can make them more invested in their meals and, therefore, more likely to eat them.
If you are not sure how to make this work for your family, a licensed pediatric care provider in Highland, Indiana can help you come up with a personalized plan.
Know when it is time to talk to a doctor about your child’s eating habits.
For most children, picky eating is only a phase that they will one day outgrow. But sometimes, it could be a sign of something more serious. For example, if your child’s eating habits are affecting their growth or they are missing out on important nutrients, you must talk to a doctor.
Watch for signs like choking, trouble chewing, or avoiding entire food groups. These could indicate a feeding disorder like ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), which can cause malnutrition if untreated.
A pediatric care provider in Highland, Indiana can evaluate your child’s health, check for underlying health problems, and give you a personalized plan to address their picky eating. Through nutritional counseling, developmental support, or something else, they will make sure your child gets the care they need to grow up healthy and strong.
Looking for an Affordable Pediatric Care Provider in Highland, Indiana?
Are you dealing with a picky eater at home? If so, and if you’re looking for a reputable pediatric care provider in Highland, Indiana who can offer personalized guidance, look no further than our specialists at 219 Health Network. Contact us today at 833-219-0001 to learn how we can help.