Creative Strategies for Feeding and Nutrition Education
19 / 03 / 2024
Paola di Ettomio
If children show some refusal toward food or seem to be uninterested in sitting at the table, it is normal to feel demotivated. We often ask ourselves existential questions in order to find the reason behind their refusals.
Let's calm down! First, it is necessary not to blame ourselves or ask, "what on earth could I have done wrong?" because actually the answer does not exist. Instead, we believe, it is much more useful to find solutions, strategies, or even playing with a little creativity and cunning.
Let's try to answer, here, the question: what to do if my baby won't eat?
At Ettomio, we have experienced these difficulties on our skin :) and now we are happy to share some tricks to lovingly accompany our children at mealtime, and give you some tips on how to turn these moments into fun and constructive opportunities for the whole family.
Tricks to make our baby eat: let's get our little chefs involved🧑🍳
Let's turn the kitchen into a magical laboratory of discovery! With a dash of imagination and a heart open to play, involving our little ones in the meal preparation becomes a real adventure.
Imagine those little hands enthusiastically kneading, little eyes twinkling with curiosity as they explore colors and shapes of ingredients... is a priceless experience that brings the child closer to the world of food, stimulating interest and the desire to experiment.
In order to make this a peaceful and fulfilling time for everyone, it is important to feel comfortable
and to make everyone safe: prepare the right tools so that there is no danger to the little ones and use tools that allow them to get to the level of the work surface in a protected way. So green light to use wooden ladles, spoons, rolling pins... and even the knife, as long as it has no sharp blade (of course always under your careful supervision and presence).
And then, here's the brilliant idea💡use a montessori tower, also called a learning tower, (by the way, do you already know our La Taue, montessori learning tower?).
With this device, designed to safely accommodate your little helper in the kitchen, babies will feellike perfect assistants. They will be so proud to be on the same level as us that, inevitably, the atmosphere will be relaxed and co-operative!
The little one will then be able to closely observe and actively participate, just like a great little chef.
Put a little apron on him/her, roll up the sleeves, and off to culinary experimentation! You will see
that he/she will look forward to mealtime so he/she can discover what other recipes to make and
enjoy them together with you.
Creative alternatives to the high chair: let's turn feeding time into a game
Imagine seeing the world through the eyes of our little ones as they explore food with their hands
and mouths. We know that every baby is different and that there may be times when it seems that
food is more interesting to throw than to eat. Instead of getting frustrated, let's try to see baby food as an opportunity to explore and learn together.
If your child won' eat baby food, try letting him /her decide the path of this discovery, even if that means abandoning the traditional high chair to experiment with new places. Have him/her sit in a low chair and use the Montessori desk table as "his/her table", or use a learning tower to have him/her eat while standing.
You don’t need to necessarily follow traditional rules: when it takes creativity, anything goes! The important thing is to create a positive and safe environment where the child can feel special and free to approach new flavors without forcing.
We celebrate every little achievement
Every bite is a small victory to celebrate! Let's set aside worries about how much he/she eats or doesn't eat and turn our attention toward the progress and small achievements made day after day.
Let's celebrate every moment when our little one explores food with curiosity and interest, even if it's just touching or smelling it. Always remember that the main goal is always to create a positive relationship with food and encourage an open mind toward new food experiences.
Your baby doesn't want to eat? Share the meal as a family
Sharing meals with the whole family can also be an effective strategy if your child does not want to eat. In fact, sharing mealtime not only strengthens family bonding but also provides an opportunity for children to learn by observing adults. Show yourself as a model of healthy eating behavior and you will see how your little ones will follow your example with love and confidence and take the initiative. By gently encouraging them to explore different flavors and textures together with you, you will see blossom their confidence and desire to experiment . Especially for little ones who have already begun to enjoy solid foods, this moment becomes a golden opportunity to taste, imitate and appreciate the delights that enliven your table.
Key word: patience 😇
The journey of first meals is woven with exploration and small challenges, requiring a gentle
approach that favors offering over forcing, and guidance instead of pressure.
So what to do if babies won't eat? Arm yourself with patience and, above all, a willingness to get involved with them! There is no one-size-fits-all solution; each child follows his or her own path of growth and acceptance of food.
It is crucial to come to terms with the fact that the acceptance of new tastes may take time, and the
initial rejection of a food should not be discouraging. Maintaining serenity by offering the food in
different ways may encourage our child to gradually open up to new taste experiences, building the
foundation for healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
Talking with your pediatrician and referring physician is recommended for any specific advice on foods or modalities dedicated to your child.
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