How to Deal With a Child's Refusal to Eat

Whether you have a seriously picky eater on your hand, your little one doesn't feel well or he's just not hungry, a child who refuses to eat may have a number of reasons for turning up his nose at dinner. While it's a frustrating situation, it's important that you keep your cool. By doing some detective work to figure out why your child won't eat, you can work around the issues to come up with meal solutions that you're both happy with.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find out why your child is refusing to eat. Everyone needs to eat; if your child is blatantly refusing to eat a meal or have snacks, there may be an underlying reason. He may not be hungry, he could have an upset stomach or he could even feel too much pressure at the dinner table. By deciphering the real reason behind the behavior, you can address the underlying problem.

    • 2

      Cut out food and drinks between scheduled mealtimes. You could be ruining your child's appetite by letting him graze on snacks and drinks during the day, warns the Ohio Department of Health. Instead, have set meal and snack times that are predictable for your child. He may be more likely to eat when he's hungry and knows what to expect.

    • 3

      Experiment with taste and texture when preparing meals and snacks for your child. While you're not a short-order cook, some children dislike certain food textures. Try a taste test with your child and watch his reactions as he tries small amounts of soft and crunchy foods. You may find he has a clear preference for crunchy veggies over soft fruits, and you can use that preference in prepping future meals.

    • 4

      Make mealtimes a pleasant, positive and relaxed time for your entire family. If your child associates mealtimes with nagging and punishment, there's a good chance that he will refuse to eat or even come to the table. If your child doesn't eat at mealtimes, keep your cool and let him know that his food will be waiting for him when he does get hungry.

    • 5

      Involve your child in the meal prep process. If he can see, touch and smell the various foods before they end up on his plate, he may be more excited about trying something new. Even small kids can help with pouring and dumping ingredients, while older children may be able to peel and chop soft foods.

    • 6

      Talk to your pediatrician if you still can't get your child to eat properly. Your doctor can check growth, development and weight to make sure that your child is healthy. You can also talk about a vitamin supplement to help make up for what your child's diet lacks, notes the Children's Physician Network. Doing so can help give you peace of mind that your child is getting the nutrition he needs, despite his picky palate.

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