A reluctance to try new foods can occur any time from 12 months. Here are some tips on how to deal with it and how to continue introducing new foods.
During weaning, babies are very receptive to new foods. But from
around 12 months old, young toddlers can become suspicious of
trying anything new. This may stem from a survival mechanism that
protects them against eating something poisonous, related to the
fact they are on the move. This instinct is stronger in some
toddlers than others.
Whether or not your toddler is showing any signs of reluctance when it comes to
eating, here are some tips that may be helpful when introducing new
foods.
Do:
- Continue offering a new food. Don't just try once. Some
toddlers may need to be offered a new food on eight or more
occasions before they really like it.
- Be satisfied if all your toddler does is taste a new food. They
do not need to eat a lot of it to start with.
- Let your toddler see you eating the new food. If your toddler
will not even try a new food, wait and offer it again when you are
all next eating it, so your toddler will know that it is safe.
- Offer only a small amount of one new food at any one time.
Don't:
- Give your toddler a plate full of new or disliked foods, mixed
with liked foods. Toddlers need to be able to identify the way a
food looks and tastes in order to develop a real preference for
it.
- Hide a new food within foods your toddler already likes. They
will be able to tell a new taste mixed with other tastes and are
likely to reject both the new food and the accepted food, and may
become wary of any foods that are given to them.
- Try offering your toddler a new food when they are tired,
distracted by something else, or feeling anxious, sad or insecure
about something.