Do you have a fussy eater or a problem feeder?

by | Last updated Jul 6, 2020 | Fussy Eating

Do you have picky eater? If you’re constantly comparing your child with the kid who “eats everything” then it may seem as if you do. The truth is, some of the most frustrating and (as a parent) worrying things about how kids eat are quite typical. Most are nothing to be worried about at all and are often signs of your child’s developing relationship with food.

This is how normal, healthy, growing children eat (and still grow)…

  • I sometimes eat a little, sometimes a lot and sometimes nothing at all
  • I often eat only one or two types of foods that are offered at a meal or snack
  • I happily eat a food one day and refuse it the next
  • Unfamiliar foods may be scary to me. I need time to learn to like them
  • I put food in my mouth, and take it out again, and put it in, and take it out (this is how I learn about food)
  • I sometimes throw food on the floor or drop it to the dog
  • I eat food because it is familiar to me
  • I eat food because it tastes good to me
  • I eat food because it looks good to me
  • Familiar foods are safe to me
  • I eat food because it smells good to me
  • I squish food in my fingers
  • I make a mess with food

However, if feeding your child is becoming more and more difficult it may be time to ask for help.

These are some of the warning signs that your fussy or picky eater is becoming a problem feeder:

  • Your child eats a very restricted range of foods – usually less than 20 different foods
  • Your child cries and “falls apart” when presented with new foods
  • He refuses entire categories of food textures
  • She almost always eats different foods than the rest of the family
  • You have persistently described your child as a “picky eater” across multiple child health check-ups

Enjoy the Honeymoon

Most older babies and young toddlers (but not all) who are first exploring solids are very keen to try and will readily accept any and all foods that are offered.

For most children, the honeymoon doesn’t last long and the child who seemingly “ate anything” soon begins to start loudly and stubbornly making their own choices about how much and whether to eat the foods offered. When the honeymoon is over, be thankful you started positive food habits by offering a variety of foods at regular mealtimes in a pleasant environment with minimal distraction. This is always your job in the feeding relationship till your kids are teens, no matter what.

Appreciate the little things

Feeding kids is so much more than nutrition. It is a time to explore, to delight, to experience, to connect, to understand, to grow, to nurture, and to love your child. It truly is about the journey more than the destination.

Make food enjoyment your number 1 priority and eat happy!

Deb Blakley
Accredited Practising Dietitian & Director

Post edited 26 June 2020

About the Author

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Deb Blakley, Accredited Practising Dietitian
Kids Dig Food ®
Deb Blakley, Founder, Director and Lead Accredited Practising Dietitian of Kids Dig Food®, is a Paediatric Dietitian with 25+ years of diverse experience and is recognised for her expertise in providing neurodiversity affirming, weight neutral and trauma-informed care for children with complex needs and their families. Deb is passionate about supporting parents, carers and educators to positively & joyfully connect or reconnect with food & eating and share this with the children in their care.
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