 How to cope with a fussy eaterFood editor and mum Fran Warde offers her advice on how to cope with a baby who won't eat - or who's showing early signs of being a fussy eater. Every mother's nightmare is a baby or toddler who doesn't eat well, and becomes terribly choosy - very disheartening when you have spent time preparing a meal that is promptly refused. It is very rare for a baby to choose to starve himself – with all that growing to do and so much energy being burnt up, food is a necessity, and he will generally eat the right amount to keep himself going. The loss in a desire to eat is usually a fad. Your baby gets hungry very quickly and needs food instantly. He doesn't understand that you have to cook it and he must wait - so try to be organised and prepared, otherwise he might get so irritable that he'll refuse a meal. But, uf you are really worried that your child is not eating, or there is an obvious lack of weight gain, consult your GP or health visitor. What to do about itTry not to get anxious, cross or feel resentful towards your baby. When food is refused just offer something quick and simple that you know will be eaten. Don’t replace a refused nutritious home made meal with a treat meal. Try something equally nutritious, such as cheese on toast, boiled or scrambled egg or something that is already made in the fridge. There is no point in making meals unhappy times as this will cause long-term complications at the table, and it will become a battle of wills, which will upset you both. When feeding, try to offer the same food as the rest of the family. Sit down together and eat with your little one. I know that this may be difficult if you are trying to regain your figure, but do eat something to keep your baby company. Also try giving very small portions - you can always hand out seconds. It's also vital to praise your baby for eating a little or a lot. Never reward eating with sweets otherwise at the end of every meal he will demand a sweet treat and this is not a good habit. Children go through fads when they show a pronounced delight in some food and then, for no apparent reason, go completely off it. Don’t worry or make a fuss, just remove the unwanted food and give them something else nutritious then return to the disliked food after a week - usually they will eat it. Sometimes my own baby went off a food and nothing I did could make him interested. But, then we would be at a friend's house, where the disliked item was served, he would eat it all up with a smile - and that would be the end of that dislike for a while! We all want the best for our babies, but I can guarantee that even the best eaters in the world will play up at some time, for short spells. Just remember to be flexible and have a happy, easy-going attitude towards meal times. As long as your baby is eating a wide variety of foods he should get a good balance of the nutrients that are required for well-being and growth. Where to next?
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