Parents' main issue with toddlers is cranky and fussy eating times. Most of the time, the problem lies in the fact that toddlers are resistant to trying new foods, which need to be taken care of by the parents. It is said that toddlers will be introduced to different kinds of veggies only when they are older than 9 months, which should not be the case as that might make your toddler even pickier during mealtimes. 

Why can a toddler get cranky during mealtimes?   

There are a variety of reasons why your toddler may become irritable, with one of the most common being neophobia, or the fear of trying new foods, which often appears in toddlers between the ages of 18 months and 2 years. Parents do not need to be worried about this, as this is just a phase. This too shall pass soon, and your toddlers can soon try a variety of foods effortlessly. 

Having said that, let us look at some tips that might help you feed your cranky toddler.    

Tips for feeding your fussy toddler    

Be patient   

A crucial part of parenting, especially when you feed your toddler, is to be patient and ensure that you are on the right track as they go out of place and get you in trouble while eating. 

Toddlers are going through a lot of changes in their lives, including growing and developing rapidly, gaining independence, and learning new skills. They may be exploring their world and their bodies, and they may be more interested in exploring than eating at times. 

It is important to remember that fussy eating is a normal part of toddler development, and most children will grow out of it over time. Putting pressure on your child to eat or becoming frustrated and upset when they are unable to make mealtimes stress-free for both you and your child Instead, try to approach feeding with a calm and positive attitude, even if your child is refusing to eat or being fussy. 

Mealtimes with other toddlers 

Toddlers often learn by watching and imitating others, and seeing their peers eat a variety of foods can encourage them to try new things. 

One strategy is to schedule play dates or mealtimes with other children who are good eaters. This can provide your child with an opportunity to see other children trying new foods and enjoying healthy meals. You might consider inviting a few children over for a healthy snack or lunch and encouraging them to try a variety of foods together. 

Another way to arrange mealtimes with peers is to enroll your child in a group meal program, such as one at a daycare or preschool that serves nutritious meals. These programmes can provide your child with an opportunity to see other children eating healthy foods and may encourage them to try new things.    

Mealtimes are fun.    

Kids are always eager to learn new things, and new things excite them completely. Toddlers are often more interested in playing than eating, and making meals enjoyable and engaging can help encourage them to eat more and develop healthy eating habits. 

One strategy is to create a colorful and visually appealing plate. This might include arranging food in fun shapes or patterns or using colorful plates and utensils. You can also involve your child in creating the meal by letting them help choose the foods and arrange them on the plate. 

Another way to make meals fun is to offer a variety of textures and flavors. Children can be sensitive to different textures, so it is important to offer a mix of crunchy, smooth, and soft foods. You can also experiment with different flavors, such as sweet, salty, and savory, to keep mealtimes interesting and appealing to your child. 

Offer a variety of foods to your child. 

Toddlers can be notoriously fussy eaters and may be hesitant to try new foods, but it is important to offer a range of healthy options to ensure that they get the nutrients they need to grow and develop. This might include cutting fruits and vegetables into fun shapes or arranging them on the plate in an interesting way. You can also try introducing new foods alongside familiar ones, which can make them seem less intimidating to your child. 

Another strategy is to involve your child in the process of selecting and preparing food. Take your child to the grocery store and let them pick out a few items or invite them to help you wash and chop fruits and vegetables. This can help your child feel more invested in the meal and may make them more willing to try new foods. 

It is important to keep in mind that it can take several tries before your child develops a taste for new foods. Do not be discouraged if your child initially refuses new foods, as it can take multiple exposures before, they accept them. Keep offering a variety of healthy options and try to stay positive and patient as your child navigates this process.      

Offer him the choices.      

Toddlers love to feel like they have control over their environment and giving them choices can help them feel empowered and more willing to try new foods.   

One strategy is to offer limited choices at mealtimes. For example, you might ask your child if they want apples or bananas or if they want broccoli or carrots. By offering limited choices, you can help your child feel like they have some control over what they eat while still ensuring that they are getting a variety of nutritious foods.   

Another way to offer choices is to involve your child in the meal-planning process. This might include taking your child to the grocery store and allowing them to pick out fruits and vegetables or asking for their input when planning meals for the week. By involving your child in the process, they may be more willing to try new foods and may feel more invested in the meal.   

It is important to remember that offering choices does not mean giving in to your child's demands for unhealthy foods. You can still offer choices within the context of healthy eating and encourage your child to make healthy choices.    

Conclusion   

Feeding a fussy toddler can be a challenging experience for parents, but there are strategies that can help make mealtimes more successful. In this discussion, we covered several tips for coping with feeding a fussy toddler, including being patient, offering a variety of nutritious foods, modelling healthy eating habits, and involving your child in the meal-planning process.