How to Prevent Picky Eating Habit in a Baby

When you first begin introducing solid foods to your baby, she will still be receiving the vast majority of her nutrition from breast milk or formula. As your baby gets older, she will begin to eat less breast milk or formula and begin to rely more on foods to fulfill her nutritional needs. It is important that she eats a variety of different foods in order to get the vitamins and minerals that she needs. Follow the suggestions below for preventing picky eating habits in your baby.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Let your baby eat what she wants--within reason, of course. Many babies seem to focus on one particular food. He may want to eat only bread for a few days or macaroni and cheese every day for a week. Keep offering your baby a wide variety of foods and he will probably begin eating new foods of his own accord.

2. Sneak in new foods. If your baby has only eaten crackers for several days, try spreading some mashed banana on the cracker. If your baby will only eat cereal, mix in a bit of applesauce. Try creative ways of introducing new foods along with her favorites.

3. Try different textures. If your baby had been eating well but has suddenly started refusing, it may be his way of telling your that he is tired of pureed food. He may be ready for small chunks of food. Be sure that the food is soft enough for him to eat. Supervise him carefully while he is eating and make sure that the food is cut into small enough bits.

4. Let your baby feed herself. If your baby is refusing to eat, she may stubbornly be trying to assert her independence. If you let her try to feed herself, she may be more eager to eat and to try new foods.

5. Do not give your baby too much juice. If he drinks too much, it may suppress his appetite. Talk with your doctor first, but most older babies should only have about 5 oz. of juice and no more than 24 oz. of breast milk or formula a day.

6. Avoid giving your baby snacks. If your baby refuses to eat breakfast, do not give her snacks all morning. If you do, she will probably then refuse to eat lunch. Limit snack to one at mid-morning and one mid-afternoon, no matter how she eats at meal time.

Tips & Warnings

• When your baby is learning to feed herself, give her appropriate finger foods. Try small bits of bread, crackers that will become soft in her mouth, chunks of banana and very well-cooked carrots or potatoes. Avoid giving your baby white breads and foods with refined sugars. Include iron-rich cereal in your baby's daily diet. This is the best way to make sure she is getting enough iron. Babies need to be given a new food between 15 to 20 times before they determine whether they like it or not.
• Even if your baby does not eat anything at a meal, do not try to force her. Do not turn food into an issue. If your baby normally eats well and suddenly does not, she may have a cold or otherwise not be feeling well. If you baby stops eating, seems to have no energy and is irritable, talk with your pediatrician.

Resources

• Finger Foods for Babies
• Feeding Your 4- to 7-Month-Old