Monday, September 19, 2011
4:03 PM | Posted by
Tot-Bot Baby Gifts |
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When it comes to fussy eating, it is definitely not in the genes. We lucked out with our son. From the time he started eating solids, he tried everything. As a toddler, in restaurants, people marveled that he would taste fish, asparagus - you name it. I knew there were fussy eaters out there; I just thanked my lucky stars that our son was not one of them. As he has gotten older, he is a little pickier about eating. Broccoli looks weird to him, so it has to be hidden in cream of broccoli soup. Still, he is a terrific eater who loves tomatoes, strawberries, oranges, apples - and asks for cucumbers as a snack.
Fast forward a few years. Our daughter is the epitome of a fussy eater. When she was about 9 months old this was not apparent; she would take small bites of banana, eat a little bit of apple, gladly eat yogurt. But shortly thereafter, this changed. The sight of a banana would set her screaming. To get a spoon of yogurt in her mouth I would have to try any means to distract her so she wouldn't know what I was doing. Mealtimes are still often such a struggle. Pieces of food end up on the floor, I feel at a loss as to what more I can offer her. (I do like this helpful article from Dr. Sears: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-infants-toddlers/feeding-picky-eater-17-tips).
Once in a while I am pleasantly surprised and she'll eat a fairly balanced meal. But the pureed fruits and veggies of babyhood that I managed to keep giving her into toddlerhood no longer work, and for some reason she won't take these foods in small pieces. Yes, I have tried the suggested hiding methods (making mac and cheese with pureed sweet potato instead of cheese), or offering a potpourri of small foods for her to choose from. Mostly these tactics don't work. Once in a great while they do. I hate to say it, but often, I dread when it's time to feed her. And now I know how other parents of fussy eaters feel.
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