How to develop good eating habits for toddlers

 My daughter started walking in 11 th month and she could talk words like mumma , papa ,food , water , bye-bye  and what not. I was proud parent to see my little one growing so fast.The sweet little words were most precious  thing to hear for me.

But when it came to eating food she was super picky and hesitated to eat any new food. I started giving solids to her at age of 6 months and she loved eating the fruits puree ,khichadi ,banana or boiled  & mashed potato. The real problem was she wanted to eat only these mashed and pureed
things  when  she  was  18  months  old.  And thus she didn't  gain much weight and her growth was very slow.

I tried many times to introduce her to new foods and she refused to eat. If I tried to give her forcibly she choked it and vomited. With the fear of her vomiting habit I didn’t try  new foods much . And it was going on like this with mashed ,pureed food and juices. On her 18 month  check up the doctor  disappointed with her extreme low weight and growth in spite of good  birth weight. She weighed only 8 kg and this is when doctor asked me about her diet ,eating habits , how much milk she takes ? and doctor  was extremely disappointed to know that she takes all ground ,pureed and mashed food. Doctor warned to stop everything immediately as by 1 year of age child should start normal diet  same like  adults and could eat with parents.

My baby used to ask for milk only whenever I offered her food. And I gave her milk 4 times in a day . which was not right .She asked to start complete diet as like adults. I expressed my fear about my daughters chocking and vomiting whenever she eats new food. But doctor suggested to continue giving new foods to develop taste , chewing habits  and learn eating . Though it was difficult for my baby  initially to change from  food puree , pastes to food pieces, she learnt it slowly and gained weight too.

Here are  ways to develop eating habits for your toddler 

1. Include all type of food in toddlers diet  like grains ,vegetables, fruits , dry fruits after one year of age.If your child refuse to eat then give it after some days ,but keep on offering him/her again and again.Sometimes child may develop interest in offered food and he/she may start  liking it.Offer one food at a time.

2. Fruits : Initially give slices of fruits instead of big piece or cubes. Children will learn chewing , swallowing by practice. If they choke and vomit don’t get scared and continue giving slices after some interval .Give all  fruits like banana ,papaya ,mango ,apple ,pear ,watermelon.

3. Vegetables : Give  boiled vegetables sticks  of  carrots , potatoes, sweet potatoes ,pumpkins. And veggies like cucumber ,tomato without boiling . Try giving stuffed vegetables  parathas  for  meals.
Slowly  children pick up eating habits and they learn to eat vegetable in their meals too.Children may take time so don’t lose patience.

4. Do not give child mashed food ,pureed , food ground using grinder  after 1 year of age. As children make it habit and they don’t want to learn chewing and swallowing. Once children get their teeth they start chewing food.

5. However mess child  makes let her eat on her own .Offer food in small ,attractive plates every time . Let child pick her food from plate and eat. This way child will learn complete process of eating , chewing, swallowing.

6. Eat meals together : Take your food  by seating along with your toddler and  show her how to chew food and encourage her to  do the same . Children  pick up  and learn by observation. Eat  fruits , vegetables more often and with lot of interest and child will follow you.

7. Milk : After 1 year there is no need to give milk after every few hours.Young babies are used to drink milk and after growing up also they may ask for milk as a meal. But don't offer milk everytime your baby is hungry instead offer solid food.
Just ask your doctor and give milk only as per doctors suggestion. Instead of giving milk you can give desserts made up of milk like kheer ,halawa ,peda, ice creams along with  other nutritious food.

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