Is there anything that causes more worry for a parent than a picky eater? Meal after meal your child sits, eating either the same thing over and over again or, worse, barely anything at all. The good news it's only a stage. Even better, there are things you can do to help your child develop great eating habits that will last a lifetime.
Believe it or not, your child isn't refusing to eat because she knows it drives you crazy. A common stage for kids ages 2-4, fussy eating is caused by myriad reasons. The good news is, once you understand why your child isn't eating as much as you think she should, there are some things you can do about it.
Not every meal has to turn into a food fight. These practical strategies will help dinnertime become fun again.
A good way to get your child interested in food is to involve them in the process. Instead of leaving your child with a sitter the next time you go to the grocery store, bring them along and let them make some choices about the foods they'd like to eat. You may see a big difference the next time you sit down at the table.
An important aspect to feeding a picky eater is to make sure the foods they do eat are packed with nutrition. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently doubled the amount of vitamin D it recommends for infants, children and adolescents. Here's how to make sure your child gets enough.