Children and Health

Food refusal is common in babies and children aged 9 months to 4 years.

Children can refuse food because they're..

• Not hungry, don't like the food or are put off by the amount of food on their plate.
• Seeking attention or not cooperating
• Tired, unwell or teething
• Distracted or wanting to play with the food

Developing healthy eating habbits sets the pattern for future behaviour. To develop healthy eating habbits...

• The family should all eat the same food at regular meal times
• Encourage independent eating, giving children their own crockery and cutlery
• Avoid confrontation. To avoid stress, don't bribe or coax, force or threaten
• Remove unwanted food without comment
• Serve small portions
• Don't use food to comfort or reward
• Eat healthy balanced neals
• Serve a variety of foods that have been cooked healthily.
• Make food look attrative
• Let the children shop and help cook, sometimes choose the menu.