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Has your child ever been a picky eater? My baby began as the most pristine diner at the table. She hungrily swallowed down everything I spooned into her rosy lips, and sat so still that she didn’t even merit a bib at most sittings. If this sounds too incredible to believe, just stay with me for a second.

Our Emily Post of baby diners has taken a turn toward Cookie Monster’s table mannerisms. Last month, Summer Elizabeth adopted tight-lipped, head-jerking, spoon-batting mealtime behaviors that have more than frustrated her papi and I lately. While she’ll still eat well for me, my husband and I have developed a little arsenal of tricks to make sure she’ll eat a full meal every time she’s strapped in for dinner. Since I know we’re not alone, I’m sharing our best tricks and tips with you to make sure your opinionated little eater gets all the nutrition he needs.

Tips for Getting a Headstrong Toddler to Finish a Meal

1. Add some motion. Whirl and swirl the spoon through the air on it’s way to baby’s lips. Bonus points if you add sound effects.
2. Let them see you taste and excitedly approve the food. Most times children mold their palates to the likings of mom and dad.
3. Let baby feed himself. Give baby a plate and let him practice tuning his fine motor skills. My favorite easy-to-clean location for self-feeding is the lawn.
4. Sing a song. Make up a silly dinnertime jingle to sing as you spoon food into baby’s much more willing little mouth.
5. Alternate. Alternate bites of something that’s a surefire pleaser, in our case, bread or bananas, with the main course. So far, this one’s worked every time in our household.
6. Make noise. When Daddy practices percussion using the table as bongos, this usually provokes a smile from Summer Elizabeth, which in turn leads to a couple of mouthfuls eaten with zero fuss.
7. Praise him. This one almost goes without saying, but a smile and a “Good job!” can go a long way in winning over a stubborn baby.
8. Distractions. Sometimes it’s as easy as placing baby’s high chair near a window to make the outdoor distractions magically get those pretty lips to open wide and swallow.
9. Mix-ins. Stirring in a little of baby’s favorite food can alter the flavor and texture of just about any dish enough to meet baby’s approval. Don’t know where to start? Try bananas.
10. Give baby a toy. If baby’s attentive to an easy-to-clean toy in his hands, his mouth opens almost instinctively as the spoon draws near, and he seems not even to notice as he swallows bite after bite.
11. Let baby see you eat. Share meals together. If baby eats outside your family’s typical meal schedule, try to squeeze in a small snack for yourself as she eats. The company can make all the difference, and you’ll be giving your metabolism a boost too.
12. Give her a break. When all else fails, simply set the food aside and give baby a break. It’s amazing how much difference fifteen short minutes can make in the appetite & mood of toddler. Tell baby that he’ll be given another opportunity after a short break, and return to the table later for round two.

Do you have more tried-and-true tricks to add to the list? Please share in the comments.

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