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Selective Eating and Food Refusal 151

crisps. Less frequent snacking and more relatives and child minders, need to cooperate
appropriate snacks such as fruit or small with any management plan that is agreed.
sandwiches can be offered.
If a food offered at mealtimes is rejected, it
●● Snacks being given when a meal is refused. should be removed without comment but nothing
Children may prefer snack foods and refuse substituted in its place or offered before the next
meals in order to be given snacks instead. planned snack or mealtime. There is never a place
for threats or other measures to force a child to eat
●● Coercing children to eat more and/or extending specific foods.
mealtimes when the child has indicated they
have had enough to eat. Some toddlers may need to be offered a new
food ten or more times before they are brave
Management of selective eating enough to taste it. The food may then need to be
behaviour tasted several times before the toddler learns to
like it.
A consistent approach is essential and all those
involved in the care of the child, including

Dos and don’ts for managing challenging eating behaviour

Do Reason

Develop a daily routine of 3 meals Toddlers don’t eat well if they become over hungry or very tired.
and 2–3 planned nutritious snacks A routine gives children the security of knowing what to expect
around a toddler’s sleeping pattern

Always offer something you know Toddlers will be able to eat and enjoy some food while having
your toddler will eat at each meal. In the opportunity to watch others eating the foods that they are
addition offer the foods other family wary of trying
members are eating

Offer two courses at meals: one This gives two opportunities for the toddler to take in calories
savoury course followed by a sweet and nutrients and offers a wider variety of foods. It also makes
course the meal more interesting

Always give the second course The second course will provide nutrients and calories
whether the first course is eaten or not

Allow toddlers to finish the course or Toddlers should be allowed to decide what and how much they
meal when they signal they have eat. If very little is eaten it will only be 2–3 hours before the next
eaten enough and remove uneaten planned snack or meal is offered
food without comment

Eat with your child as often as Toddlers learn by copying their parents and other children.
possible Parents are their strongest role models

Praise toddlers when they eat well Toddlers respond positively to praise

Make positive comments about the Parents and carers are strong role models. Toddlers are more
food likely to try foods about which they hear positive comments

Give small portions. If these are finished, Toddlers can be overwhelmed by large portions and lose their

praise the toddler and offer more appetite

Offer finger foods as often as Toddlers enjoy having the control of feeding themselves with
possible finger foods

Eat in a calm relaxed environment Toddlers concentrate on one thing at a time. Distractions make
without distractions such as TV, it more difficult to concentrate on eating
games and toys

(Continued)