For most toddlers, choosing what they eat or don’t eat is one of the ways in which they exercise a bit of control over their lives. Most times, they will want to make decisions over the food offered to them, leaving many mums frustrated and seeking solutions to make sure they eat healthily. In Kenya, toddlers are no different with many of them displaying the problems below during mealtimes.
• Gagging toddler
When feeding your toddler, they may gag and even spit out the food in their mouth to prevent choking. However, if the gagging becomes regular then you may need to reduce the size of the food offered to them so that they swallow easily. Also, help your toddler to relax as they eat so that they chew food well and swallow before accepting more food.
• Toddler refusing to eat
At times, your toddler will refuse to accept any food offered to them during regular times except for breast milk, if they are still breastfeeding. In such situations, it is important to avoid worrying and focus on the meals they have eaten so far which is likely to keep them going. To encourage them to eat consider having family meals together, allowing them to feed themselves and offering fresh fruit juice as part of their meals.
• Toddler being picky with food
Toddler eating habits are always changing making it normal for them to avoid trying new foods when it is offered to them. To help them eat better consider offering a wide variety of foods so that they can choose their favourite; serve food in smaller portions throughout the day and ensure they do not get distracted while eating.
