20 Techniques to Handle Picky Eating in Children: No More Drama

Picky eating is one of the challenges parents face when their children begin to learn how to eat independently. When a child refuses to eat, mothers often resort to various methods such as tricking, forcing, or running after them. However, it’s important to understand that the more we force a child, the more they resist. So, Care Choice wants to share effective techniques to handle picky eating behaviors in children to help stop drama for parents.

1. 1. All adults in the household must cooperate and communicate with each other to understand the best approaches and methods. When everyone is on the same page, dealing with difficult eaters becomes much less challenging.
   2. Discipline should begin as early as six months of age. Helping the child understand the feeling of “hunger” may sound mean, but it will help discipline them effectively.
   3. If the child refuses to eat breakfast, do not feed them milk. If they make a fuss and do not want to eat, it’s crucial to remain firm and refuse to feed milk to them. The discipline will help them learn. **It is the battle whether the mother will give in first or the child will be hungry first.** #BePatientMom
   4. If the child still resists eating at lunchtime, keep avoiding feeding them and wait until dinner. **While it may seem tough, this is necessary or else it will be more difficult as times pass by.** #BePatientMom
   5. Refrain from feeding milk after the child reaches 6 months in order to help them develop an eating discipline.
   6. Do not feed milk to them before a meal, or else they will be full, resulting in ineffective discipline.
   7. At the age of one and a half, you can begin introducing snacks to the child’s diet, such as crispy puffed rice. When purchasing these snacks, it’s important for moms to pay attention to the nutrition information on the box.
   8. It’s advisable not to bring junk food, sweets, chips, or fried chicken into the house. When these tempting treats are present in the pantry, there’s a risk that you may accidentally feed these snacks to them. This practice is akin to training adults as well.
   9. Consider introducing a variety of vegetables and fruits, cut into small pieces, for your child to try. It will provide essential vitamins and minerals for them. Additionally, ensure to purchase products that are chemical-free or organic.
   10. Experiment with changing the food menu, taste, smell, and color to prevent them from getting bored.
   11. Train your child to sit and eat instead of chasing after them to feed them. It can be quite exhausting for the whole family trying to get the little one to sit still and eat. So, during mealtimes, there’s no need to run after them with food. This approach is a way to practice discipline.
   12. If the child refuses to eat, do not continue feeding them. This aligns with the previous advice mentioned: do not chase after them with food. Let’s stay strong for our children.
   13. Practicing good eating habits is a family activity that involves everyone. As mentioned earlier, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, and grandmothers must all work together in training the little one.
   14. Create a pleasant eating atmosphere where everyone eats together without overpowering the child. Encourage the little one to try and eat independently. Let them have the freedom to choose what they want to put in their mouth. Forcing or pressuring the child frequently will only lead to a habit of rejection in the future.
   15. Create a happy mealtime experience by practicing eating like BLW (Baby-Led Weaning), which involves training your child to eat independently. Instead of feeding mashed food with a spoon, BLW encourages children to explore and handle soft, easy-to-chew foods on their own, without relying on parental assistance. (P.S. Before starting a BLW diet for your child, it’s crucial to study more information and guidelines.)
   16. Try introducing small portions of food, not overly large ones, as this can be overwhelming for the child and may discourage them from eating. Similar to running training, where you begin with short distances, offer small amounts of food for them to try. By doing so, both mother and child can experience success in their eating journey.
   17. Avoid forcing yourself or your child to eat. The more you try to compel them, the more likely they will resist. Children, like us, dislike feeling pressured in their choices. If they don’t eat, do not force them. They’ll be hungry for the next meal.
   18. Practice allowing your child to learn that eating is a responsibility they must manage on their own. This is an act of discipline for them. They need to eat when it is time to eat,
   19. and then they can play as you have promised them. These small conditions will inspire the child.
   20. We must overcome this challenge. If we don’t practice now, it will only become more challenging as our child grows older.

Training your baby to eat independently from a young age not only alleviates parents’ worries about their child’s eating habits but also enhances various skills in different areas. Did you know that this approach is a crucial way to raise intelligent and capable children? By allowing them to practice learning, problem-solving, and self-sufficiency, we prepare them to navigate society confidently when they eventually start attending school. Therefore, it’s essential to start this training from an early age. Mothers must not give in. This is for the sake of the children.

There is another helpful solution for parents when dealing with picky eaters – Care Choice 100% vegetable-based seasoning powder (Original and Seaweed Formulas for Children), which has received positive reviews from mothers. It is the first of its kind in the country, free from MSG and gluten, and perfect as a seasoning for children’s meals. Use it as an alternative to stock for convenience and time-saving. The flavor is like Japanese soup, making it a delightful addition to your child’s meals. We highly recommend trying this fantastic solution.