Fussy eaters - and how to deal with one
Many babies go through a fussy stage
with food and it's a normal part of their development. Not only are
they trying to assert their growing independence but it's common
for them to be wary of new food.
Don't worry, there are lots of things
you can do to make mealtimes and the journey of discovering food
more enjoyable.
Top tips to stop your little one becoming a fussy eater:
- Offer a wide variety of flavours early on. This can help them
become a healthy, confident eater, more open to new tastes. For
inspiration, see our recipes.
- Get ready to introduce certain food on more than one occasion,
even if it's initially rejected. Sometimes it could take more than
eight separate occasions before your baby learns to love a new
food.
- Mix things up with a range of different coloured foods, like
red pepper, carrot and broccoli, to keep mealtimes fun and
interesting.
- Take advantage of the wide range of baby food in jars and pots
available to help you introduce new flavour combinations
Take a look at the video, starring ten-month-old Poppy and her
mum Sarah, sharing their experiences on fussy eating.
A great habit to get into is eating together as a family, as
your baby will love trying to copy how you eat. However, if you're
planning to cook the same meal for everyone, remember to leave out
the following ingredients in your little one's meal.
Too grown up for baby:
- Honey - not until your baby's at least a year old
- Added salt - their little bodies aren't ready for it
yet
- Adult stock - use a low salt stock like
Heinz organic stock cubes instead
- Ready-made adult sauces - again, these often contain too
much salt
- Nuts - if you do offer them, make sure they're crushed up
finely and to reduce the risk of choking, never give whole nuts to
children under five
- Soft and unpasteurised cheeses - can cause upset tummies
- Raw eggs - due to the risk of food poisoning
- Low fat foods - your little one needs energy from full fat
foods, like yogurt, to grow
Keep calm and carry on
As their independence grows, many babies will go through periods
of fussiness, so rest assured you're not alone. Although it can be
a testing time, it'll pass and the advice below should help make
life easier for you both.
- Don't let your baby fill up on drinks just before a meal -
especially calorific ones like milk or anything with added sugar,
such as fruit cordials or carbonated drinks.
- Keep mealtimes relaxed and no more than 20 minutes long, as
your baby will get bored.
- Try not to coax or bribe your little one with the promise of
other food - this can set up the idea that some foods are rewards
and are better than others.
- Keep portions small and include a variety of tastes, textures
and colours to keep meals fun and interesting.
- Stay relaxed - even if you don't feel it. We know it isn't
always easy but your baby will pick up on any anxieties.
If on the odd occasion, you don't think your baby's eating
enough, rest assured that as long as they're gaining weight and
seem happy, they're probably getting what they need. However, if
you're worried, it's always good to check with your healthcare
professional.
And finally, if you just take it one meal at a time and give
these simple tips a go, you should find their fussy eating phase
will be behind them in no time.
A helping hand in the kitchen
Heinz Cook at Home is a range of tasty ingredients, including
gravies, cooking sauces, pasta shapes and stock cubes, to help make
your homemade meals more baby friendly and best for their
development. We make our baby food this way
because every mouthful matters
.