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How to Feed Toddlers and Picky Eaters

Feeding your toddler can be such a challenge. Toddlers are very curious and are easily distracted. They are just starting to explore their surroundings and practice their independence over a lot of aspects. Food is one of the few things that they can choose independently, and they will try to use this power to their advantage. It is actually a good idea to let your kids choose what they want to eat.

Toddlers are defiant by nature. The harder you persuade them the more stubborn they will be. Punishing them will only make things worse. Instead of forcing your child to eat, you may want to try a more subtle approach. Toddlers are rebellious but this doesnt mean they cant be tricked. With some craftiness and persistence you can get your little rebel to eat. A little creativity would go a long way.

Most parents are wondering how toddlers can manage to last for a long time without going hungry. They never seem to starve even if they had just one decent meal the whole day. Depriving them of snacks wont make them hungrier during meal time. The sad truth is that a toddler wont eat something unless he likes it. A bowl of broccoli is still a bowl of broccoli. It doesnt matter what time of day you serve it.

Surprisingly, most toddlers get enough nutrition from what they eat. Your child should be alright as long as he is gaining weight and developing normally. Toddlers dont need as much calories as we do. A daily caloric intake of around 1,300 should be enough for their age group. The reason why many parents are anxious about their toddlers diet is because they overestimate the amount of food that they should be eating.

Serving smaller-sized portions may get your child to eat more during meal time. An ideal measure of toddler-size portions would be a quarter of whatever you would consume. A whole slice of bread is too much for a toddler. Half-sized portions of fresh fruit, bread and eggs are more manageable for your toddler. Instead of giving a whole cup of yogurt, scoop out 1/3 into a separate container and keep the rest for later. Encourage him to eat at least one to two tablespoons of vegetables.

Bribing your toddler with sweet treats or other small rewards is discouraged. Offering a piece of chocolate for every three tablespoons of carrots might work temporarily. However, this tactic only teaches your child the wrong values. Theres nothing wrong with serving a slice of chocolate cake after meals, but using this as a reward for eating well only creates the notion that the cake is more valuable than the meal itself.

Encourage your child to eat well by being a good example yourself. Let him sit with you during meal time. A toddler is more likely to develop good eating habits if he sees his parents eating healthy meals. Its crucial to educate your child with proper nutrition at an early age. Just be sure to do it discreetly. Theres no need to clap your hands with every successful bite of broccoli, nor should you punish your toddler for spitting out his veggies.
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Colby is the loving parent of two kids and loves writing about situations parents are usually faced with. Check out his Ladybug Parade Bedding Collections or his Glenna Jean Finley 4 pc Sets and this Trend Lab Paisley Park 4 piece Crib Bedding Set .