What is Fussy Eating?

Fussy or selective eating is a common behaviour in childhood which can cause parents much distress and difficulty.

2. What do fussy eaters do with their food?

Fussy eaters select a limited amount of food. Some children may refuse vegetables in particular and are unwilling to try new foods. Some may even choose drinks over food!

2. Why is my child a fussy eater?

Children with fussy eating may have specific behavioural or environmental factors identified which may be driving this fussy eating. The parent-child relationship and the child’s temperament play an important role in influencing a child’s eating behaviour. Food refusal can sometimes be a way to seek attention from adults.

Interesting studies have been done about this. For example, reduced duration of breastfeeding has been shown in some studies to predict later picky eating. This may be because breastfeeding exposes infants to a wider range of food tastes than formula feeding. Interestingly, one study has showed that early feeding of vegetables was found to reduce the probability of picky eating.

3. What can I do about my child who is a fussy eater?

You can try these few steps but remember that patience is key for each step!

a) Avoid distraction by seating children at a table for meals and snacks and avoid distractions such as television.

b) Serve small meals and snacks at consistent times of the day.

c) Encourage your child to eat independently with patience if your child makes a mess out of food during mealtimes.

d) Offer milk, nutritional beverages, juice, soup or water at the end of the meal and not before, in order to prevent filling their stomachs.

e) For bonding and support, eat together as a family.

4. I have tried all of the above, but it does not work. What can I do?

Fussy eating can take time and specific interventions to address. In some cases, there may be other reasons behind this such as undetected health conditions and psychological conditions. Seek professional advice if in doubt to ensure optimal development of your child! For more lifestyle content, you may head over to our blog – https://healthspringsgroup.com.sg/blog/