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MMM: Surefire Tips to Get a Toddler to Eat

December 2, 2012 By Jelli 16 Comments

Welcome to {Monday Mom Musings} link-up! I’m so excited you came to join the fun. Moms supporting moms is what Monday Mom Musings is all about.

get toddler to eatHas 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. get stubborn toddler to eat
  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. how to feed a toddler
  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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Linking here Rolled Up Pretty, We are That Family

Filed Under: mommyhood, tips Tagged With: Baby

About Jelli

Jelli is a blogging veteran and avid baker who’s been selling sweets to feed her chocolate addiction for 8+ years. When the polka dotted apron’s hanging up, she’s a full-time mama to three kidlets enjoying the crazy days of motherhood and pumping out brownie recipes from her sunny Costa Rican kitchen.

« Rhubarb Pie, a homemade from-scratch recipe
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Comments

  1. Christine says

    December 2, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    How funny! I’ve done just about all of those to get my boys to eat. My tried-and-true trick is the sound effects. I do the Jaws theme while slowly inching the spoon toward the baby… DaaaaaaDUM… DaaaDUM… DaaDUM… Da-dum, da-dum… Both boys thought it was hysterical. Baby laughs, insert spoon!

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      December 3, 2012 at 1:38 pm

      I can imagine how the Jaws theme would be a great way to go! I also take every opportunity to jam that spoon in (gently, of course.) Thanks for the tip, Christine. Have a great week!

      Reply
  2. Rachel says

    December 2, 2012 at 9:34 pm

    Yet another cute hat! The pictures are sooo adorable! Yes, switching it up in different ways at mealtime seems to help. I particularly like #12. It’s amazing what a little bit of relaxation can do for baby’s mood (and appetite)! Always enjoy coming here. Thanks for the link-up!

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      December 3, 2012 at 1:37 pm

      You’re more than welcome, Rachel. {MMM} is something I really look forward to each week. Gleaning from other mamas’ wisdom is always enjoyable for me. So glad you enjoy linking up!

      Reply
  3. Meredith says

    December 3, 2012 at 6:02 am

    Mealtime has become SOOO difficult around here with my daughter! Good tips and thanks for the inspiration to attack it with a renewed energy–we can do this and it will eventually get better 🙂

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      December 3, 2012 at 1:35 pm

      Meredith, I hope it does get better for you soon! One of the advantages we have here in C.R. to combat the messy eating that comes with spoon-batting is that 99% of all flooring is tile, which is incredibly easy to clean. If you come up with more tricks, please do let me know!

      Reply
  4. Roshni says

    December 3, 2012 at 8:32 am

    Oh yes! Picky eating…..whew! At least the boys can..or not…feed themselves now! Both of them used to love the spoon as an aeroplane concept, complete with sound effects, swooping and the final landing inside their mouth (hopefully)!

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      December 3, 2012 at 9:19 am

      The good ole airplane trick. Yep, we use that one! Thanks for sharing and for linking up today!

      Reply
  5. Sylvia Phillips says

    December 3, 2012 at 10:18 am

    Great tips for me to show my son! (for my grandson)

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      December 3, 2012 at 1:33 pm

      Hoping they make eating a peaceful affair at your son’s home too! Thank you for stopping by this morning, Sylvia. I’m guessing you’ve got a bunch of mealtime tricks up your sleeves too. Raising 9 kids certainly doesn’t come without lots of wisdom gained!

      Reply
  6. Luana says

    December 3, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    We’ve had a similar experience here – my son was the best eater (I thought we were set!) until about a month ago – 15mths old. Suddenly, throwing food on the floor became more interesting then eating it and he is very particular with his likes/dislikes instead of just eating whatever he’s given *sigh*. #7 is always a winner in our household – mealtimes here are filled with lots of clapping and hi 5’s to encourage my son to eat his dinner 🙂

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      December 3, 2012 at 6:31 pm

      Luana, I hope the list encourages you in the parenting game. Mealtimes are always a fun chapter in the day, aren’t they? Glad to know that I’m not alone with the antics of toddler mealtimes. Have a great week!

      Reply
  7. Elisabeth Ferre says

    December 3, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    Thanks for hosting Jelli! All toddler feeding tips are good tips lol. Hope you have a great week!

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      December 4, 2012 at 6:30 pm

      Happy to see you linking up again this week, Elisabeth. Thank you for joining me and have a super week yourself!

      Reply
  8. Jen says

    December 4, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    these are great ideas! I’ve especially found feeding my little ones where there can look out the window has been nice! and if all else fails, I just pretend I’m going to give their food to papa and then they suddenly want to eat 🙂

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      December 4, 2012 at 6:24 pm

      Really! If they think the food’s going to Daddy they take it?! How funny. Thanks for sharing, Jen!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Jelli! I snagged the best guy around, birthed four tiny kidlets, scribble down too many dessert recipes, love Jesus, and grow veggies in my front yard. Read More…

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