Introducing new foods to your Toddlers is an exciting time in their overall development. By the time your child is six months old you’ve become a dab hand at feeding them. Whether you’re bottle feeding or breastfeeding, the chances are you’ve got it sussed. But now they’re starting to get interested in what’s on your plate, which means it’s time to take the leap into ‘real’ food!

Weaning Worries

 
For many parents, the process of weaning their baby is fraught with concerns. Some of the most common ones being worries that, your child is going to choke on something that you give them. Perhaps you’re concerned that they’re not going to eat enough to survive. Let’s not forget the worry that they’re going to be fussy and won’t eat a healthy diet. If any of these concerns seem familiar you can at least take solace in knowing that you are by no means alone in your interests.

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So a quick word on safety. Babies and toddlers have a more advanced gag reflex than adults. This means they will start to gag and cough when food is further forward in their mouths. This is to protect them from choking, so if they do begin to cough you don’t need to panic. Choosing to let your child feed themselves will allow them to put the food to the back of their mouths as they are ready.

If you are worried about your child choking. You could always find a child first aid course where they will teach you among other things the Heimlich maneuver for children. If you stay away from certain ‘danger’ foods (things like whole grapes), then you shouldn’t need to worry.

Introducing new foods to your toddlers

 
So let’s talk about the other worries, making sure they get enough and getting them to eat a range of foods. First off, don’t forget that when you first start weaning your child, they will still be getting most of their nutrition from milk, and it is as they are eating more than their milk feeds will begin to decline.

As long as your child has no allergies or intolerances, you should not need to worry about them getting enough to eat.

The final concern, getting your child to eat a range foods, well there are many things to keep in mind. The first thing to be aware of is that your child will want to eat new foods. They will have no apprehension about trying new foods. What babies and toddlers do have is a very heightened awareness of how their parents are feeling.

If you are worried or concerned about your child eating they can pick up on this. They may start to think that there is a reason to be concerned and they may become uncertain about trying new things. So however you go about introducing foods to your child remember to stay relaxed about it. There is no need to be either too anxious or too excited about it as either reaction can signal to your child that eating new foods is a big deal.
The best way to get your child to try new foods is to make them friendly to small hands. Foods in baton shapes fit well into little hands and give them the chance to try. Let them explore the food themselves. If they seem unsure about trying the foods, don’t forget the adage “monkey see, monkey do.”

If your child sees you eating they will very likely copy your behavior. Try not to introduce too many new flavors at once. It can overwhelm your child just one or two new things a week is aplenty. This will also allow you to keep an eye out for foods that do not agree with your child. Finally don’t be put off if the first time your child tries food they don’t like it. Leave it for a few days then try again. It can usually take five to six tastings before your child begins to enjoy the new flavors.

If you just stay relaxed, you should hopefully find that the process of introducing your toddler to new foods is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

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