Comments on: Giving Children the Gift of Healthy Eating

By: janet

janet — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:52:11 +0000

In reply to Kelly. The best way to encourage your child to pass through this phase is to trust him to and allow him to on his own, in my opinion.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 11:00:54 +0000

We follow this at home, but my partner is getting concerned because often my son will only eat the safe food, which some times might be air fried French fries or a couple pieces of fruit. I’m comfortable letting this go, what we’re doing is working on exposure to all our foods, so eventually he will try it (I think). He’s not unhealthy but my partner is putting a lot of pressure on me to change how we approach his dinners. Should we just never have ”unhealthier” foods?

By: janet

janet — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 20:04:47 +0000

In reply to Gabby. Why do you think he skips dinner? Often it's tiredness or they've had a late snack or just aren't hungry at that time. I personally don't believe it's helpful to make eating certain foods a rule.

By: Gabby

Gabby — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:35:47 +0000

Your posts on eating say it’s okay if your child skips “a meal or two.” I tried this relaxed approach of just offering food and letting my child decide from the start… But now he’s four and he almost never eats dinner. He went probably a year only eating breakfast and lunch, and refusing dinner 5 or 6 days a week. I’ve imposed some rules just to get him to try new foods, as otherwise he just waits for his morning oatmeal. I hate the stress this adds to meals, but it doesn’t seem okay that he rarely eats dinner and refuses most new foods.

By: Jessica Isles

Jessica Isles — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 19:20:25 +0000

There’s a technique called paced bottle feeding that helps babies who are fed with a bottle not to over eat. Many videos online to see!

By: janet

janet — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 21:44:21 +0000

In reply to Katie Wong. :)

By: janet

janet — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 21:43:49 +0000

In reply to Rebecca. Great news, Rebecca! Thanks for sharing.

By: janet

janet — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 21:42:55 +0000

In reply to Rebecca.

Hi Rebecca – It can take time for children to accept new food textures. I would consult with your doctor about maybe fortifying the yoghurts, etc. The only part of this I can help with is understanding our power and how our feelings affect our children. Some children are more sensitive than others, but most can easily sense their parents discomfort and worry. Also, are you paying full (and, ideally, very calm and accepting) attention to him during mealtimes? That is a big part of the approach I teach and quite different from the recommendations of groups like “Baby Led Weaning.” With Magda Gerber’s approach, feedings are 100% attentive, quality time, so that we can be there to support and not distract. Some children are easily distracted by adult conversation. But, most of all, by our uncomfortable emotions. I hope that helps.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 20:55:43 +0000

Hi Janet, my one year old barely eats solids. When we first started introducing purées he tried and ate everything, once he started teething this ended and I didn’t think anything of it. He still ate fresh foods such as yoghurt and fruit. He might try a few bites and then just plays with his food. He skips entire meals sometimes, not eating anything at all! I try to keep it light, we eat along with him, tell him what it all is and then just chat about the day without focusing too much on the food itself. I am, however getting worried that he barely eats solids (I do still breastfeed) at 1 year old. The pediatrician said that his growth is stagnating and everyone mentions that he doesn’t eat well.. I want to keep mealtime positive and I want him to enjoy healthy meals. Really in need of some advice! I feel like trusting that all will be well might not be enough anymore, this has been going on for months now. Maybe he can feel my worry, even though I try to not make a big deal out of eating.

By: janet

janet — Thu, 28 May 2020 22:50:18 +0000

In reply to DJ.

Hi! I would still focus on trust in your daughter to tune in to her body. If supplemental nutrition is needed in the form of pills, drinks or food, I would approach that as I would medicine. This post explains more about that: https://www.janetlansbury.com/2016/02/the-secret-to-helping-kids-take-medicine-without-a-spoonful-of-sugar/