Feeding the Toddler
How to handle picky eating and build healthy habits
Toddler Appetite Is Unpredictable
Sometime around the first birthday, your baby will go from eating everything to eating nothing but crackers and air. This is normal. Toddler growth slows dramatically compared to the first year, so their appetite drops accordingly. They may eat a full meal one day and survive on three bites the next. They are not being difficult. Their body is telling them what they need. The parent's job is to offer nutritious food. The toddler's job is to decide whether and how much to eat.
Strategies That Work
The most effective approach to toddler feeding is low-pressure and consistent. Offer a variety of foods repeatedly. It can take 10 to 15 exposures before a toddler accepts a new food, so do not give up after the first rejection. Eat together as a family whenever possible, toddlers learn by watching what you eat. Do not make separate meals for the toddler; offer the same food the family is eating, modified for safety. Avoid using food as a reward or punishment. Dessert should not be a prize for eating vegetables. Offer the meal, let the toddler choose what to eat from what is on the plate, and do not comment on how much they eat.
The Division of Responsibility
Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility is a useful framework: the parent decides what food is offered, when it is offered, and where it is offered. The child decides whether to eat and how much. When parents respect this boundary, mealtimes become less stressful and children learn to trust their own hunger and fullness cues. This approach reduces power struggles around food and sets the stage for a healthy relationship with eating that lasts into adulthood.
Common Concerns
Picky eating peaks around age 2. Most children grow out of it. If the child is gaining weight appropriately and has energy to play, they are getting enough nutrition. Consult your pediatrician if the child is losing weight, has stopped growing, or consistently eats fewer than five different foods over a sustained period.