Before I became a parent I never knew this was an issue, but with my little guy now I know that sometimes toddlers just decide they aren’t eating! Obviously we know they need the fuel for their bodies but meal time can be quite the battle. I’ve put together a list of things we’ve figured out over the past few years that hopefully help you too!
1. A Toddler Buffet:
I have never heard of this phrase either, but apparently it’s a thing! This involves using an ice cube tray to give your toddler variety. I can’t take all the credit for this one as our pediatrician suggested this. In the morning we start with an empty ice cube tray and fill each spot with a variety of foods: pancakes, fruit, cheerios, toast, puffs, etc. After each meal we would stick it in the fridge and bring it back out and replenish it for the next meal. He loved the variety!
2. Take your toddler shopping
I know taking a kid shopping can be.. well an interesting time! But once my son was old enough to talk we had him help make the grocery list. Then he would go to the store with me and physically put the food in the cart, put it on the belt and put it away. Something about asking them to help makes them feel important!
3. Get your toddler in the kitchen part one:
Once my son was old enough we had him up prepping food. I bought these kid safe plastic knives and a really cool looking (safe) chopper for him to use. He was then involved in preparing his fruit/veggies, washing and mixing. He could then choose how he wanted things cut and prepared. We’ve also made a small garden in our backyard. It was his job to water and pick the veggies. Last year he kept eating the tomatoes by themselves right off the vine!
4. Get your toddler in the kitchen part two:
I discovered this today in making homemade personal pizzas. He was in charge of rolling out his dough and picking his toppings. Once it was done he ate two slices of pizza, that is HUGE for him!! I find making individual servings of things makes him interested. This is also a side note but making the food in something fun can make things interesting. We make pudding in these fancy glasses, or putting a nacho bar straight on the table with some foil is kind of fun. Let them pick out a different vessel, maybe you’ll eat soup out of a mug instead of a bowl today.
5. Recognizing patterns
I have noticed that my son doesn’t like certain textures: mashed potatoes and oatmeal. Some children don’t take to certain shapes or colors of food. Trying to notice these things might help to take them off the menu.
6. Switching up behavior
Isn’t it funny how one day something works so well for your kid, but two days later it’s not working at all?! I wish I could say that just keeping the iPad at the table helped, but some days he needs the iPad far away. So on hard days we switch up routines: Giving lots of encouragement/leaving him completely alone, using the ipad/not using the iPad, giving lots of options, giving minimal options, etc.
7. Don’t laugh at me.. but a charcuterie board!
Okay this isn’t a joke, but my kid absolutely loves a good charcuterie board. This method works for us for lunch. I try to switch what’s on it each day so he’s not getting bored of certain foods. We sit on the couch with our charcuterie board and watch tv sometimes. It’s just fancy!
