When your Toddler Won’t Eat Anything ~ Part 2

We are talking about basic strategies for encouraging your toddler to eat healthy. You can read the first strategy and source information here before continuing.

2. Take advantage of the “window of opportunity!”

The second strategy for encouraging healthy eating in your little ones is to take advantage of their “window of opportunity”. Between 12 months (or even earlier) and approximately 21 months to 2 years, your toddler is much more likely to be willing to try new things than at any other time in his/her childhood. This is true, in large part, because of their overwhelming “need” to put everything in their mouths. I encourage you to use this, otherwise difficult, developmental milestone to its full advantage.

During this time introduce any foods you want your little one to enjoy! This can include basics like carrots and bananas or be as wild as curry chicken (a flavor my little one enjoys) or sushi (though we don’t usually spend that much money on DS’s meals). Try to offer as varied a diet as you can think of… and be creative! The more foods your little one is exposed to and learns to like during this time, the more options you will have down the road when he/she becomes more skeptical about what he/she puts into that little mouth!

Are you frustrated to have missed this "window"? Look for more strategies to come in the next few days! Don’t get discouraged… it’s not too late!


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When your Toddler Won't Eat Anything ~ Part 3

Labels: In the Kitchen, Nutrition for Toddlers

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 12:28 PM