Picky Eating, 13 Months

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PICKY EATING By 13 months, your baby will be eating more and more of the foods you are. The best way to encourage healthy eating and appropriate mealtime behaviors is through modeled meals.

Babies and children who are part of regular family meals are often more accepting and willing to try new foods and may be less “picky.” Your little one may be more likely to try something new if he sees you enjoying it.

Try Something New

If your toddler is hesitant to try something new, try offering new foods alongside foods that he already likes. You can also see if he’ll smell it, lick it, poke it, or make it into a funny face - anything to get him to interact with the food. This may encourage him to be adventurous!

Reducing Distractions

Turn off screens and distractions during mealtimes, including the tv, phones, tablets, and other things that may take away attention from eating. This will allow everyone to focus on the food and each other. Start this routine as early as baby’s first solid food feeding. Distractions will only make it more challenging for your child to follow his own fullness cues and may lead to mindless overeating.

This tip is from our Happy Mama Mentor Theresa, RD and mom to Gracie & Gabby Also available to chat at: happyfamilyorganics.com/chat

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Balanced Snacks Offering balanced, healthy snacks is important to help your little one get the nutrients he needs. To help ensure your child doesn’t fill up before a meal, try offering snacks at least 1.5 to 2 hours before the next meal. To help create a balanced snack, think about including a quality protein, veggie or fruit, and a whole grain (or at least 2 of these groups). For example: a couple apple slices, 1 to 2 whole grain crackers, as well as half a cheese stick.

Family Meals

Try not to become a short order cook. Have your baby sit in on the family meals and eat what the family is eating (adjusting the size and consistency of foods to meet baby’s ability). Offer a variety of foods on your baby’s plate and allow baby to decide if and what he wants to eat.