TIPS TO ENCOURAGE PICKY EATERS AT HOME…..
1. Model good eating habits
2. Follow child’s lead with food exploration
3. Eliminate distractions during feeding times
4. Make mealtime fun and social (feeding anxiety=adrenaline=suppressed appetite)
5. Don’t force or trick child to eat…build trust
6. Encourage play with food through touch, smell, licking, spitting out, etc.
7. Try preferred foods in a new way
8. Child should be part of the mealtime, even if he/she is not eating
9. Develop mealtime routine and use visual schedule if needed
10. Prepare child’s body and mouth for feeding (eg. tumbling and deep pressure to jaw, cheeks, and lips)
11. Encourage child to assist with meal preparation and clean up
12. Do NOT discuss child’s poor eating habits during meals, instead focus on socialization and attributes of the food
13. Provide 3 types of food on child’s plate in manageable portion size (1/3 should be a preferred food).
***It takes 10 separate times to try a new food in order to know whether you like it or not, so don’t give up!
***Focus on EXPERIENCE, not volume!
