A Blog For Mums
As a mum who’s been through the trenches of picky eating with my own child, I know firsthand how challenging and frustrating it can be.
There were days when I felt utterly defeated, watching my little one turn their nose up at anything that wasn’t beige or processed. But I’m here to tell you that there’s hope. Through trial and error, research, and a good dose of patience, we’ve made significant progress.
While we’re not completely out of the woods, I’ve learned valuable lessons along the way that I’m eager to share with fellow mums facing similar struggles.
When my child first started showing signs of picky eating, I felt completely lost. Was this normal? Was I doing something wrong? I soon learned that picky eating is a common phase many children go through, typically starting around age two and often lasting until about age four or five.
Experts suggest that picky eating may be partly rooted in evolution. It’s thought to be a protective mechanism that kicks in when toddlers become more mobile and could potentially put harmful things in their mouths. This innate wariness of new foods helped keep our ancestors safe, but in our modern world, it can lead to frustrating mealtimes.
While many children outgrow their picky eating habits, some continue to struggle well into their school years and beyond. In our case, what started as a typical toddler phase seemed to stretch on longer than I’d anticipated. It’s important to remember that every child is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for overcoming picky eating.
I’ll be honest – dealing with a picky eater can be emotionally draining. There were nights when I’d spend ages preparing what I thought was a fun yet nutritious meal, only to have it rejected outright. The worry about whether my child was getting enough nutrients, coupled with the stress of constant mealtime battles, left me feeling exhausted and sometimes even a bit hopeless.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. Many parents struggle with picky eaters, and it’s completely normal to feel frustrated, worried, or even a bit guilty. It’s crucial to be kind to yourself and remember that picky eating is rarely a reflection of your parenting skills.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for support either. Whether it’s talking to other mums, joining online forums, or seeking advice from your child’s paediatrician, having a support network can make a world of difference. I found great comfort in connecting with other parents who were going through similar experiences.
Looking back, I can see how our picky eating saga unfolded. It started innocently enough – my toddler began showing a preference for certain foods and rejecting others. At first, I didn’t think much of it. But as time went on, the list of accepted foods grew shorter and shorter.
At our lowest point, my child would only eat about five different foods. Meal times became a source of anxiety for both of us. I worried constantly about nutrition, and every bite felt like a battle. I tried everything from hiding vegetables in other foods to creating elaborate food art, but nothing seemed to work.
Progress came slowly, but it did come. We started with tiny victories – a lick of a new food here, a small bite there. I learned to celebrate these small wins and not to push too hard when my child wasn’t ready. Gradually, we began to see improvements in both the variety of foods accepted and the willingness to try new things.
Through much trial and error, we found several strategies that helped us make progress. While every child is different, these approaches might be worth trying if you’re struggling with a picky eater.
One of the most effective changes we made was to take the pressure off at mealtimes. I stopped trying to cajole, bribe, or force my child to eat. Instead, I focused on providing a variety of healthy options and letting my child decide what and how much to eat.
Getting my child involved in meal planning and preparation made a huge difference. We started looking at recipes together, going grocery shopping as a team, and even growing some herbs and vegetables in our small garden. This hands-on approach helped spark curiosity about different foods.
We made a conscious effort to keep mealtimes relaxed and enjoyable. We chatted about our day, told jokes, and focused on the social aspect of eating together rather than what was or wasn’t being eaten. This helped reduce anxiety around meals for both of us.
I learned that it can take many exposures to a new food before a child accepts it. We started putting tiny amounts of new foods on my child’s plate alongside familiar favourites, with no expectation that they would be eaten. Over time, curiosity often won out, and my child would eventually try the new item.
This technique involves gradually introducing new foods that are similar to ones your child already likes. For example, if your child likes chips, you might try sweet potato chips, then baked sweet potato wedges, and eventually move on to other orange vegetables.
As a mum, one of my biggest concerns was ensuring my picky eater was getting proper nutrition. It’s a valid worry, but I learned that most children, even picky ones, do manage to get the nutrients they need over time.
Rather than stressing over every meal, I learned to look at nutrition over the course of a week or even a month. Some days were better than others, but overall, we managed to achieve a reasonable balance.
After discussing with our paediatrician, we decided to use a multivitamin to fill in any potential nutritional gaps. However, this is a personal decision that should be made in consultation with your child’s doctor.
Rest assured that it is very rare for picky eating to lead to health concerns.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s the importance of patience and persistence. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort and a positive attitude, progress is possible.
I learned to celebrate every tiny step forward. Whether it was my child touching a new food, licking it, or taking a microscopic bite, each of these moments was a victory worth acknowledging.
On tough days, I found it helpful to remind myself that this phase wouldn’t last forever. Zoom out. Children’s tastes and eating habits do change over time, even if it doesn’t always feel that way in the moment.
Above all, my goal has been to help my child develop a positive relationship with food. By reducing stress around eating and focusing on enjoyment and nutrition rather than rules and restrictions, I hope we’re laying the groundwork for healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
So if you’re in the thick of dealing with a picky eater, know that you’re not alone. It’s a challenging time, but with patience, persistence, and the right strategies, progress is possible.
Parenthood