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How To Solve These 6 Toddler Mealtime Problems

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Parenting

How To Solve These 6 Toddler Mealtime Problems

Meal times doesn’t have to be a daily struggle for both parent and child

September 24, 2021

Credit: 123rf

Whatever their age, kids have a lot of energy and are easily distracted. This can be good when you are nurturing their curiosity but it can be a real struggle whenever it comes to mealtimes. Does your young child leave the table and wander around during meal times or want to be fed most of the time? Here’s what you can do to solve these problems.

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https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/family/parenting/6-toddler-feeding-problems-how-you-can-solve-them/
How To Solve These 6 Toddler Mealtime Problems
They created a huge mess. There's more food on the floor than in their mouth
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As your little one learns to feed themselves, expect the food to go everywhere – not just into their mouth – because their coordination isn’t fully developed.

Be patient. Clean up the mess without reprimanding or complaining.

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They leave the table and wander around instead of sitting still
image

Make each meal an enjoyable experience. If eating is fun and pleasurable, your toddler will sit happily at the table without wanting to get out of their seat. Create a relaxed atmosphere; sit beside them and chat with them while they eat on their own.

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They take forever to finish their meal
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Stop the meal after a fixed time. To ensure that self-feeding does not become a lengthy play activity, remove their plate after a reasonable time (say, 15 minutes) and warn them in advance when that time limit approaches. This discourages them from wasting time.

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They are a picky eater and skips their vegetables
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Give them small amounts of food on a large plate. Your young child may be put off by large mounds of food on their plate – it may seem overwhelming to them.  Also, get them used to the taste of vegetables by mixing them up with food that you know they like.

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They struggle to hold the spoon or fork firmly in their hand
image

Keep cutlery child-friendly. Your child’s hand is small, so give them a spoon with a handle that is appropriately sized and shaped for those little fingers to grasp. Show them how to grip the handle properly.

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They continue to want you to feed them
image

As their hand-control improves, reduce your direct involvement. Encourage them to hold the spoon on their own, even if they ask for your help. Get the grandparents and domestic helper not to give in, too. The more they manage by themselves, the less they’ll need you to help.

This story originally appeared in Young Parents.

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  • baby recipe
  • feeding
  • toddler discipline
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