If your toddler has lived on toast and bananas for a week, you’re in good company.
Fussy eating is one of the most common worries parents raise about young children.
For most families, it’s a phase. For some, it’s a sign that a bit of extra support would help.
Either way, it can turn mealtimes into a daily battle. This guide covers why it happens, what tends to help, and when to ask for advice.
In Perth New Leaf Dietetics has a paediatric dietitian who sees children from babies up, at its Applecross clinic, at medical centres around Perth and online.
Why toddlers suddenly get picky
Growth slows down in the toddler years compared with the first year of life, and appetite often drops with it.
That can be a shock. A baby who happily ate everything may become a toddler who eats three bites and wants to get down.
Children also start wanting more control. Food is one of the few things they can say no to.
Many are naturally wary of new foods too. A new texture or colour on the plate can be enough to set off a refusal.
Tiredness plays a part as well. A child who is worn out by dinner time is far less likely to try something new than one who is fresh at breakfast.
What “normal” fussy eating looks like
Day to day, a young child’s eating can swing a lot.
They might eat well at lunch and barely touch dinner. They might love a food one week and refuse it the next.
That can look worrying, but it often evens out across the week.
Signs that things are probably on track include:
- your child has energy to play and seems well in themselves
- they eat at least a few foods from most of the food groups
- they are growing along their usual curve at check-ups
- they will sometimes try new foods, even if they spit them out
What usually helps
Keep offering. Children often need to see and taste a new food many times before they accept it.
Put a small amount of the new food next to something they already like.
Eat together where you can, so they see others enjoying different foods.
Try to keep mealtimes calm. Pressure, bribes and battles tend to make refusal worse.
A useful way to think about it: you decide what food is offered and when. Your child decides whether to eat it, and how much.
That split takes a lot of the fight out of mealtimes. It also helps children learn to listen to their own hunger and fullness.
The Australian Government’s Eat for Health guidelines give practical advice on what young children need from each food group.
Small changes that make a difference
Serve small portions. A big plate can feel overwhelming to a small child.
Keep to a regular rhythm of meals and snacks, so they come to the table hungry but not starving.
Limit milk and juice between meals. They can fill little tummies quickly and take the edge off their appetite.
Get them involved. Children are often more willing to try food they have helped wash, stir or put on the plate.
Turn off screens at the table, so the focus is on eating and talking.
A few common myths
“They’ll eat when they’re hungry enough.” Sometimes true for mild fussiness, but not for children with strong food fears. Holding out can make those children more anxious, not less.
“Hiding vegetables fixes the problem.” Blending vegies into sauces can add some nutrition, which is fine. It doesn’t teach a child to accept the food itself, though, so it works best alongside offering the vegetable in plain sight too.
“They have to clear their plate.” Pushing a child to finish can teach them to ignore their own fullness. Letting them stop when they’ve had enough is usually the better habit for the long term.
“It’s my fault.” Fussy eating happens in families who cook all sorts of meals. A child’s temperament, senses and stage of development all play a part.
Signs it might be more than a phase
It’s worth talking to your GP or a dietitian if your child:
- eats a very short list of foods, and the list keeps shrinking
- gags, vomits or becomes very upset with new foods or textures
- isn’t growing or gaining weight as expected
- has mealtimes that cause ongoing stress for the whole family
Some children are extremely sensitive to textures, smells or the look of food. Others have had a bad experience, like choking or reflux, that makes eating feel scary.
These children usually need more than patience. A health professional can help work out what’s going on.
The Raising Children Network has more detail on fussy eating and when to get help.
How a dietitian can help
An Accredited Practising Dietitian looks at what your child eats, how they are growing and what happens at mealtimes.
They can then suggest realistic changes that fit your family, rather than a strict meal plan nobody can stick to.
They can also check whether your child is getting enough of the nutrients that matter most at this age, like iron and calcium.
Dietitians Australia explains what an Accredited Practising Dietitian is and how to find one.
Many dietitians offer appointments in clinic and online, which can make it easier to fit around family life.
What to bring to an appointment
A little preparation makes the first visit more useful.
Write down what your child eats over three or four days, including drinks and snacks. Note any foods they always accept and any they always refuse.
Bring along your child’s growth records if you have them. Questions you want answered are worth jotting down too, as they are easy to forget in the moment.
A gentle reminder for parents
Fussy eating can be draining, especially at the end of a long day.
It is easy to feel like you are doing something wrong. Most of the time, you aren’t.
Look at the week as a whole, not one meal.
Small steps count. A child who touches a new food today might taste it next week.