Getting kids to eat well can be difficult. Why is that? Well I definitely don’t have it figured out, but I have been through some challenges. Long story short, one of the triplets N, had issues eating when I started with the family. At 9 months olds, getting him to drink 2 oz. of his milk bottle at a time was a success! He would pocket food like a squirrel. He would gag until his food came back up. His parents sought a lot of help and one stop was “Feeding School” at Children’s Hospital. We met with this artistic, seeming to be silly lady (who actually was a nurse) that helped us through N’s process. Overall, she encouraged no stress at meal times, but a light, happy and fun atmosphere. She even suggested mood lighting and music, but that didn’t catch on for us. Even though he was not a completely corrected eater, I am happy to tell you that N graduated Feeding School with a certificate and everything last year. He now, at almost 3 years old, is our best eater – messiest – but the boy will try and eat anything and everything. Though the following are not the nurse’s exact strategies, her ideas sparked a lot of the methods we use.
High5 – Ways to Encourage Successful Eating
5. Keep a Routine.
Keep meals the same time each day, especially for younger children. Nannies and families should work together to make sure that the same structure is happening during their care. Children will feel comfort in knowing when and how meals will take place. For the toddlers I watch, we usually have an 8:00 a.m. breakfast, 9:30-10:00 a.m. snack, 12:00 p.m. lunch, and 4:00 p.m. snack. The parents also keep a steady dinner at 6:00- 6:30 and milk before bed. Routine has helped us greatly! Even as young babies, the triplets new that after sleeping, each got their diaper changed and bottle followed. Each boy would wait their turn, as they new who was next in line. Diaper, bottle, burp. Next!
4. Lead by Example.
Kids can be finicky, manipulative, adventurous, and challenging – – and all in the same day! Attitudes and behavior at the table may or may not have anything to do with the food. I make sure to have a plate of food in front of me as we sit together at the table. I process through tasting new food in front of them. “Oh what is this? It is green. I think I will taste it. Ummm, it’s crunchy. I LIKE IT!” Many times after this, a boy will simply take a bite. Other times, I will put the food item ONLY on my plate, and that alone will elevate the curiosity. The boys love to mimic the way I will “crunch” or sounds I make while eating.
3. Allow Involvement and Choice
As kids get older, they will be more able to be involved in the process of cooking. Even though the 2 year olds cannot help me cook, they can feel the frozen food in the bag (“Brrr, cold.”)and smell the fruit (“Umm, it’s a pear! It smells so good!”) before it’s on their plate. The boys will watch the timer one the microwave and say “Numbers all gone, all done!” Sometimes they will deliver items to the table – napkins, cups, bibs. For snack, at times I will let a boy pick out what we will have. We have a big snack bin that they can choose from, so anything they pick is appropriate. At meals I may ask a boy “Should we have an apple or banana?” Older kids will be able to be a lot more involved. Rather than saying, “What should we have for dinner tonight?” try, “Tonight should we have pasta or soup?” At the appropriate age, have the child get involved in the grocery shopping and cooking the meals!
2. Always try new things. Then again…. Then again….
We try very hard to eat well-balanced, though each kid will gravitate towards favorite things. It’s funny to set a plate down and see three different boys grab three different food items. Even though I know a certain boy probably won’t eat that certain food on his plate, I continue to put it there and try. And on occasion, it works! Try new textures and sizes and shapes. Sometimes I will use the non-meal times to get them to try new things as well. That is how they tried bagels and english muffins for the first time. [ I don’t let them try everything, of course. Could you imagine if I let them try my coffee every time they asked? Scary thought.]
1. Make it Fun!
Eating is fun right!? I mean who doesn’t like to have a good meal with good people! Whether at home or at a restaurant, children are able to have that good experience as well. We have a great time at the table. Sometimes we sing about the food or make up songs. We say “Cheers!” with our cups. We talk about what we have done that day, or what we are going to do later. We play “I spy with my little eye”. The boy’s mom has gotten some great discounted cups and plates that have their favorite characters on them, them light up and enjoy. One other thing that we love is “Dip-dip”. This could be ketchup, hummus, carmel, ranch… The boys love their small brightly colored ramekins, that they can dip into themselves. Get themed napkins, place mats, and paper cups. The possibilities are endless! (Post some of your ideas!)
One last note, every child and every circumstance is different. This is not meant as a “how to” but just a mention of what has worked for us. For some other ideas, check out Regarding Nannies blog “Picky Eaters – What’s a Nanny to Do?”