Tips for fussy eaters

It’s normal for everyone – not just babies - to have their own particular favourites when it comes to food but what do you do if your baby rejects anything unfamiliar? It helps if you can relax and just focus on trying new things gradually and if it doesn’t work one day – try it again later that week! Our team is made up of experienced mums as well as health care professionals so if you get in touch with us, you’ll get practical real-life advice to help you. If you’re stuck for ideas on how to encourage your baby to eat, why not contact our team?

How can I encourage my baby to eat a variety of food?

Babies who only ever eat their firm favourites are unlikely to develop a taste for all kinds of food and can easily become fussy eaters. You shouldn’t worry too much; almost all babies go through a fussy-eating phase so the most important thing to do is to make sure they get more variety back into their diet to ensure they're getting all the goodness they need.
To encourage your child to eat more of a variety of foods you could try:

• Making feeding fun by serving their food in shapes or faces on the plate
• Leading by example – try a bit yourself and make ‘yummy’ noises so your baby understands it’s a tasty thing to eat and wants to copy you.
• Offering small portions of different tastes at mealtimes so if they don’t like one thing, they can try something else (though this shouldn’t always be their favourite food).
• Smaller portions are also less daunting – you can always offer a bit more if they really enjoy a new food!
• If your baby spits it out, be patient and try again another day – perhaps mixed in with a little of their favourite food. It's a long process, but your baby will thank you in the end! 

Fussy toddlers need their own tricks and tips and we’ve put together a guide for them too! Read more about dealing with older picky eaters.

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