One of the most helpful things to do is to give your fussy one a range of different textures and flavours. This can help them develop a taste for all kinds of food later on. Don’t worry too much if they refuse sometimes, most babies go through a fussy stage. Their tastes are very likely to change and what they reject one day they might love the next. It’ll all be ok as long as they’re getting the right nutrients.
Tips and tricks:
- If your baby refuses, just take the food away, don’t make a big deal out of it because it could lead to food refusal being fun for them
- Give them lots of attention when they are eating
- Offer them a variety of foods so if they don’t like one thing, they can try the rest
- Lots of patience! If they spit something out, just try the next day
- Mix some of the more unusual flavours in with something they love
- Change the way the food is prepared, see if they like it puréed or grated
- Try not to leave meals until they are over hungry or too tired
- Lay the food out in an array of colours or funny shapes
- Make yummy appreciative noises and show them that you have tasted it too