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My Toddler Is a Picky Eater — What Should I Do?
First-time parents can often be surprised at how distinct a child’s personality emerges from very early ages. Their unique identity may contribute to a frequent point of early child/parent conflict, that of the picky-eating toddler.
The good news is that most picky eaters are developmentally normal. Chances are that their limited palates at a young age are just a phase that makes perfect sense to them, no matter how much it frustrates you as a parent.
If your child has eating habits that contribute to health issues, or if you suspect food allergies, start a food diary immediately to help identify connections and make an appointment with Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD. Dr. Tandon can help you determine if picky eating is a health issue or if it’s just a toddler quirk.
The problems of picky eating
When considered from a strictly nutritional standpoint, picky eating isn’t often a problem for any child. It won’t lead to short-term health problems or lifelong poor eating habits. It’s a common pattern for children around the world between the ages of about two to four.
Picky eating is usually only a problem of expectations. It’s normal for a parent to want a child to eat a well-balanced diet, meals like the rest of the family eats, and even to have eating habits like their siblings.
Seeking out acceptable foods in social settings is yet another headache that busy parents really don’t want or need, but for a precocious toddler, food selections can be their first sense of independence or a hard-wired behavioral instinct. Let’s look at the origins of a picky eater’s stubbornness.
Why picky eaters become that way
Up to 35% of children may earn the picky eater label for their tendencies. First, as a parent, take a deep breath and let go of any feelings of guilt or inadequacy. It’s not likely that parenting has anything to do with stubborn eaters, at least not in the early stages.
One theory about toddler food preferences points to a protective mechanism. As a child grows and their world expands, they instinctively take on more self-responsibility, including protecting themselves from randomly putting things in their mouths. Some kids feel this strongly, and it extends to suspicions of virtually every new food.
When conflict arises between children and parents about finishing amounts of nonfavorite foods, a strong-willed child may entrench behind this self-protective impulse and choose broccoli or cauliflower as the battle of independence in which they have confidence.
Coping with a picky eater
Most parents know the futility of the “eat this or else” method. Bypassing the picky eating phase requires consistency and patience. Consider these strategies to maintain your parental sanity while expanding your child’s palate.
- Understand that picky eating is normal and not health threatening for most kids
- Don’t be afraid of your child’s hunger: There’s nothing to expand food options like an empty stomach, so carefully manage between-meal snacks so they’re hungry at meal times
- Plan on repeating new food offerings: Your child may need as many as 15 offerings before they accept a new food
- Don’t make food refusal a big deal: The conflict could become the reason for food resistance
- Watch for textural preferences: It may be texture rather than flavor that puts your child off, so serving more foods prepared in a texturally familiar way might expand their selections
Remember, it’s probably a phase. However, if your child is a severely picky eater in all circumstances, contact Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD in our Fountain Valley California location for a professional assessment.
We accept telehealth visits when they’re appropriate or required. Request your appointment by phone or online today.
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