Okay well it sounds good, but so do gumdrops and milkshakes. Feeding and eating with your kids can be amazing and it can be incredibly frustrating. You want your kids to eat right grow strong and smart, but in the actual application it is not that easy. Just to start there are numerous opinions all telling you something different. Breastfeeding, formula, scheduling, to wake or not wake, and when do you feed the baby and what. Then when it comes to table foods the options and opinions multiply. Even different doctors have different opinions.
It’s not rocket science, it’s just food why does it have to be so hard?
Well it doesn’t have to be. Just keep it simple!
Here are some tips to help you enjoy building a lifetime of healthy eating habits with your kids
1. Breast is best. Not only is it how we have evolved as a species, it is biologically designed to meet the needs of your new baby but it’s free.
2. Babies will eat when they are hungry. Relax and take time to learn their hungry cues. Some are biological like turning the head to suckle when their cheek is brushed. Others are characteristic of your child maybe they coo just so, or they suck their fists they will have a way to tell you.
3. Eat with them. Even as a small baby they are watching and learning. Watching their parents enjoy eating and eating a varied diet teaches babies it’s okay and fun to eat, and try new foods. As they grow they will ask to eat what you’re eating for their first tries at table food. Once they are older, eating together is so important for so many aspects of development it is just a great habit to start early.
4. It can take over 20 times of trying something before you really like it. Sweet things go down smoother most of the time but other foods don’t necessarily. Don’t get discouraged the first time they spit it out and don’t eat it. Just keep offering.
5. Kids will not starve themselves. It’s hard to watch your kid be hungry especially when you know a cracker would solve everything, but I promise that they are not the answer. Remind yourself as you begin to cave that you are creating your child’s future eating habits. The battle of “I want a cracker” has a twofold consequence. One you are creating eating patterns that last a lifetime. Snacks should not always be the answer to hunger. The second consequence is showing them that you will give in when they push. They will remember this the next time they want something.
6. Divide the responsibilities of eating. You let them decide how much they eat, you decide what they eat. They feel in control because they decide how much food they eat, but are still ensuring they are getting nutritious foods and not stuck on crackers cheesy noodles and chicken nuggets. Remember they won’t starve. They might eat a big breakfast because they didn’t eat much dinner but they won’t starve.
7. Eat the rainbow each day, each week, with each meal. Include as many natural colors as possible. This brings in more nutrients and creates a healthy palate for a lifetime of healthy eating.
8. Make a schedule and stick to it. I’ll make this easy:
- Breakfast when they wake up
- about two and a half hours later eat a snack
- about 2 and 1/2 hours later lunch
- 3 hours later snack
- 3 hours later dinner
- and if your day starts extra early you might need an extra snack in the evening.
9. Think fruits, cheese, nuts, veggies, and yogurt for snacks and again eat a rainbow.
10. Most of all enjoy eating. Teach them of The joy of eating, trying new foods is fun, and indulgence is ok when done as an Indulgence. Eating is a wonderful part of life and when we grow up learning of the joy, we are less likely to have negative diet patterns as adults.
11. Learning to eat is a sensory experience. Many parents get caught up in how messy eating is. They worry babies are not getting enough food in their belly, and there is food everywhere. It’s all part of the process. Stress not and let them play eat and enjoy. They will get enough the messes are cleanable. Yes they love rubbing mashed potatoes in their hair. We don’t know why but they all do it. If you stress and get upset they stress. If they are punished by removing the food they were enjoying they learn to associate negative feelings with food. Allow them to enjoy their food. Give them the spoon to hold while they eat with their other hand. Let them take their time and practice. They are also learning fine motor skills and what peas feel like versus chicken.
Enjoy eating and stress not!
Tara~
