Perhaps the most common issue during a regular well-child visit is problems related to what we term “picky eaters”. It is unfortunate that we label these children as such, but learning healthy feeding habits and proper behaviour towards food does not happen overnight.

Like any human behaviour, the establishment of proper healthy eating habits is a result of a series of correct behaviours that should be initiated at the proper time and consistently reinforced over time. It is a process and like any process, there is a learning curve. It is paramount, therefore, that parents of the weaning baby be guided accordingly by their paediatrician during the weaning period. This happens at the 6-month well-baby visit and its in-depth discussion should be the main focus of that visit. “Weaning” means transitioning. This transition is from a purely liquid diet (milk) from birth to a supplemental diet of solid foods that are progressively varied in regards to texture, taste, flavour, temperature and appearance, at the onset of weaning beginning at 6 months of age.

There are many variations of weaning, mostly influenced by different upbringings and culture. Here, I will attempt to introduce broad strokes or generally accepted rules. These guidelines are by no means complete and exhaustive but will, hopefully, help in this critical transition period and help avoid a child being “picky”. Successful weaning means we introduce a child to the joys and variety of food and eating.

Serve Age-appropriate Food

At the beginning of weaning, introduce one new food at a time, progressing every 3 days. This helps to monitor food intolerance or allergies and to ease in to the new food. No added salt or sugar is recommended. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and any carbohydrate-based whole food can be introduced initially. Meats, eggs, and animal-based proteins can be gradually introduced in the same manner by 8 months of age. By the first birthday, a child should be eating the same meals as the whole family.

Portion size should be appropriate as well. A rough estimate would be 1 tablespoon per food group per year of age per meal. This means that a 1 year old child should be having at least 1 tablespoon of meat, 1 tablespoon of vegetables, 1 tablespoon of carbohydrates, and 1 tablespoon of fruit per meal. You can give more if wanted.

Share Responsibility

Parents should control what, where, and when food is provided. This means providing a variety of healthy foods. No processed food or unhealthy snacks like biscuits, chips, or candies. Water should be the exclusive beverage. Limit milk intake to 2-3 glasses per day especially once food intake is well established around 9 months of age. Parents should also provide a safe place to eat.

Children should decide what and how much food to eat from the choices provided to them during a particular meal.

Systematically Introduce New Food

Offer at least one healthy food you know your child likes at each meal with a small amount of new food. Avoid tricking, scolding, bribing, or disguising food. Absolutely do not force the child to eat. Remember that acceptance of some foods is not immediate and may occur after at least 10 exposures (some up to 25 attempts) in a non-coercive and pleasant manner.

Share a Meal as a Family

Parents should model healthy eating. A pleasant conversation should be shared during meals. There should not be any arguing or distractions like TV, digital gadgets, and toys while eating.

Set a Meal Schedule

Provide 3 main meals and 2 snacks in between. This helps children know that there is a meal coming every 2-3 hours and that they will not go hungry. If the child refuses to eat during a scheduled meal time, let him sit at the table until the majority of the family has finished eating (20-30 minutes). He should then wait until the next scheduled meal time. Avoid giving food between the scheduled times.

Encourage Independent Feeding

Allow the child to self-feed as this will encourage him to explore and feel in control. Playing / interacting with food and age-appropriate messiness is also essential in establishing trust in what he eats and encourages the act of hand-to-mouth action.

Avoid Being a Short-Order Cook

Avoid the temptation to return to the stove and cook foods that you know your child will eat. When children are hungry because they chose not to eat, they’ll be more likely to eat what is offered next time.

Give Affirmative Messages

Statements like, “When you are ready, you can eat it”, “Let’s try this”, “Good bite!”, and the like are some affirmative phrases we can use to encourage good feeding behavior.

Involve Kids in Meal Planning

Involve him in choosing healthy new food. Talk about where food comes from. Let him help with food preparation and even planting a herb or vegetable garden. You can also encourage him by reading kid-friendly cookbooks.

The early feeding environment shapes and influences the development of a child’s eating behaviour. Don’t give up on food and introduce new foods without arguments and always without stress. Do not label a child as a “picky eater” and avoid having the mindset that he is difficult to feed. We should frame it in the sense that the child is not yet used to the new food, and will eventually embrace it if we let him consistently experience it in a non-threatening and non-coercive manner.

Food should be enjoyed and sharing a meal should be fun. Human nature ensures that we will keep doing anything fun and enjoyable.

Weaning 101 : Introducing your baby to food & tips to avoid picky eating

It is paramount, therefore, that parents of the weaning baby be guided accordingly by their paediatrician during the weaning period. This happens at the 6-month well-baby visit and its in-depth discussion should be the main focus of that visit. “Weaning” means transitioning. This transition is from a purely liquid diet (milk) from birth to a supplemental diet of solid foods that are progressively varied in regards to texture, taste, flavour, temperature and appearance, at the onset of weaning beginning at 6 months of age.

There are many variations of weaning, mostly influenced by different upbringings and culture. Here, I will attempt to introduce broad strokes or generally accepted rules. These guidelines are by no means complete and exhaustive but will, hopefully, help in this critical transition period and help avoid a child being “picky”. Successful weaning means we introduce a child to the joys and variety of food and eating.

Serve Age-appropriate Food

At the beginning of weaning, introduce one new food at a time, progressing every 3 days. This helps to monitor food intolerance or allergies and to ease in to the new food. No added salt or sugar is recommended. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and any carbohydrate-based whole food can be introduced initially. Meats, eggs, and animal-based proteins can be gradually introduced in the same manner by 8 months of age. By the first birthday, a child should be eating the same meals as the whole family.

Portion size should be appropriate as well. A rough estimate would be 1 tablespoon per food group per year of age per meal. This means that a 1 year old child should be having at least 1 tablespoon of meat, 1 tablespoon of vegetables, 1 tablespoon of carbohydrates, and 1 tablespoon of fruit per meal. You can give more if wanted.

Share Responsibility

Parents should control what, where, and when food is provided. This means providing a variety of healthy foods. No processed food or unhealthy snacks like biscuits, chips, or candies. Water should be the exclusive beverage. Limit milk intake to 2-3 glasses per day especially once food intake is well established around 9 months of age. Parents should also provide a safe place to eat.

Children should decide what and how much food to eat from the choices provided to them during a particular meal.

Systematically Introduce New Food

Offer at least one healthy food you know your child likes at each meal with a small amount of new food. Avoid tricking, scolding, bribing, or disguising food. Absolutely do not force the child to eat. Remember that acceptance of some foods is not immediate and may occur after at least 10 exposures (some up to 25 attempts) in a non-coercive and pleasant manner.

Share a Meal as a Family

Parents should model healthy eating. A pleasant conversation should be shared during meals. There should not be any arguing or distractions like TV, digital gadgets, and toys while eating.

Set a Meal Schedule

Provide 3 main meals and 2 snacks in between. This helps children know that there is a meal coming every 2-3 hours and that they will not go hungry. If the child refuses to eat during a scheduled meal time, let him sit at the table until the majority of the family has finished eating (20-30 minutes). He should then wait until the next scheduled meal time. Avoid giving food between the scheduled times.

Encourage Independent Feeding

Allow the child to self-feed as this will encourage him to explore and feel in control. Playing / interacting with food and age-appropriate messiness is also essential in establishing trust in what he eats and encourages the act of hand-to-mouth action.

Avoid Being a Short-Order Cook

Avoid the temptation to return to the stove and cook foods that you know your child will eat. When children are hungry because they chose not to eat, they’ll be more likely to eat what is offered next time.

Give Affirmative Messages

Statements like, “When you are ready, you can eat it”, “Let’s try this”, “Good bite!”, and the like are some affirmative phrases we can use to encourage good feeding behavior.

Involve Kids in Meal Planning

Involve him in choosing healthy new food. Talk about where food comes from. Let him help with food preparation and even planting a herb or vegetable garden. You can also encourage him by reading kid-friendly cookbooks.

The early feeding environment shapes and influences the development of a child’s eating behaviour. Don’t give up on food and introduce new foods without arguments and always without stress. Do not label a child as a “picky eater” and avoid having the mindset that he is difficult to feed. We should frame it in the sense that the child is not yet used to the new food, and will eventually embrace it if we let him consistently experience it in a non-threatening and non-coercive manner.

Food should be enjoyed and sharing a meal should be fun. Human nature ensures that we will keep doing anything fun and enjoyable.