Fussy eater: what is normal and what helps

Mealtimes can become a daily struggle. Most fussy eating is a normal phase, and calm, consistent habits help.

Is my child really a fussy eater?

Most toddlers become choosier between 1 and 5 years of age. Growth slows after the first year, so appetite falls. Eating well one day and very little the next is normal. Many children also reject new foods at first and may need to see a food 10 to 15 times before accepting it.

What helps at mealtimes

• Offer 3 meals and 2 planned snacks at regular times, with no grazing or milk in between.
• Eat together as a family and let your child see you enjoying the food.
• Keep screens, toys and phones away from the table.
• Serve small portions, and put a new food next to one your child already likes.
• Let your child self-feed and get messy. Praise trying, not finishing.
• Limit milk to about 500 ml a day and avoid juice and sugary drinks, which fill the stomach.
• End the meal calmly after 20 to 30 minutes, even if little was eaten.

What to avoid

• Force-feeding, chasing the child around, or feeding in front of the television.
• Bribes and rewards with sweets or biscuits.
• Cooking a separate meal every time your child refuses the family food.

When to see a doctor

• Weight loss, or weight and height falling away from your child's usual growth curve.
• Gagging, choking, vomiting or pain with feeds.
• Refusing whole food groups for a long time, or eating only a very small range of foods.
• Tiredness, paleness, frequent infections or delayed development.
• Mealtimes that have become a daily battle for the whole family.

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