A child’s curiosity knows no end. In a world full of sensory stimulation, your infant constantly finds himself responding to new sensations. Be it a brightly-coloured toy or the sound of a household appliance. For as long as your infant is distracted, it is difficult to get him to eat, even if it’s his favourite meal.
Fussy eating is a common problem with infants, but there are ways to ensure that your child eats enough, and at regular intervals. Here are some tips you can follow:
1. Create a schedule
Start by making a feeding schedule for your child. A timetable will help you decide when it is the right to time feed your child, whether it is a meal or a snack. Your baby will also begin to expect meals at these regular intervals. It is important that you don’t overfeed your baby when his or her tummy is still full from the previous meal. A fixed feeding schedule will ensure that your child gets enough nutrients, and that he is able to finish his meals.
2. Large benefits of small portions
Feed your child small portions of food. Your baby’s tummy is tiny and cannot process large amounts of food at a time. Feed your child just enough, and not too much. Don’t worry about your child remaining hungry. You will be able to tell by his gestures if he needs more food. In that case, increase the frequency of feeds.
3. Be creative
It’s important to keep your child engaged while feeding them. Make things interesting by talking or singing to your baby. Make eating a fun activity. This will help your baby focus on the act of eating.
4. Experiment with meals
Try using new and interesting ingredients in the meals you prepare for your baby. Don’t stick to a single preparation; come up with new combinations and variants. Allow your baby to enjoy different flavours and textures of food. This will also help you understand what kinds of food your baby enjoys.
5. Create a happy atmosphere
Make your baby feel happy and comfortable at meal times. Create a positive atmosphere by having the family eat together, whenever possible. Interaction with others at the table can help keep your baby engaged. He may also try to imitate others as they eat.
As a parent, overcoming your baby’s fussy eating habits may seem like an uphill task. All it takes is patience and persistence. Do not expect to see a change overnight, but by implementing these suggestions you may slowly be able to inculcate good eating habits in your infant.
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