Coping with picky eaters

As children get older and a bit more independent, it's not unusual for them to go through a stage of being faddy about what they eat. Thankfully, it’s almost always a phase in their development that they quickly grow out of.

Although it can be exasperating at the time, remember it’s only a temporary inconvenience and that there are steps you can take to make sure it doesn’t become a long-term problem:

• If your child refuses a certain food or meal, simply clear it away without any comment - but don't then let them fill up on snacks or drinks between meals. Keep offering the food at other times, as often it is only after numerous refusals that a toddler will try the food.
• Make sure that your child isn't spoiling his appetite by filling up with too much fluid between meals.
• Never use food as a punishment, bribe, reward or threat - it could lead to eating problems later in life.
• Be aware that children often pick up bad eating habits from other members of their family. Discourage older siblings from being fussy, and make sure your own eating habits are setting a good example.
• If your child has friends that aren’t picky eaters it's worth inviting them around for tea; peer group pressure is good way of persuading children to try new foods.