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Toddler is a Picky Eater
My toddler is a picky eater. Mealtimes are a nightmare around here. Any advice?
Parents are often surprised by how little food toddlers actually require. While they generally require roughly the same number of food group servings as adults do, a toddler-sized serving is typically only one-quarter to one-third the size of an adult serving. So if your todder only manages to eat one-quarter of a piece of toast at breakfast plus a bit of milk and a few slices of apple, you might assume she's eaten next to nothing when, in fact, she's probably eaten exactly what her body needs.
And, of course, some toddlers are downright picky eaters, turning their noses up at anything but a handful of foods that they've somehow deemed acceptable. It's best to avoid getting into food fights with a toddler (trust me, it's a battle that you are bound to lose) but, on the other hand, you don't want to fall into the trap of playing short-order cook for the next 18 years either. It's truly The Mother (or Father) of All Tightrope Acts! You can pick up some excellent strategies for avoiding these kinds of food struggles by reading Ellyn Satter's book Child of Mine: Feeding With Love and Good Sense. Good luck!
- Ann Douglas
This question was answered by Ann Douglas, author of 27 books, including The Mother of All Pregnancy Books (U.S. edition and Canadian edition); The Mother of All Baby Books (U.S. edition and Canadian edition); The Mother of All Toddler Books (U.S. edition and Canadian edition); The Mother of All Parenting Books (U.S. edition or Canadian Edition); and The Mother of All Pregnancy Organizers. Find out more about Ann.