Introduing Children To Solid Foods
January 23, 2009
The transition of infants from mother’s milk to outside foods can be quite trying for the mother. Filled with the anxiety of whether the baby will accept foods, and how to cope with the situation can be difficult. They wonder often about what foods can be given to their children, and more importantly, how they can give their children these foods.
Vegetables, milk, curd, eggs and fruits are all common foods that even little children can eat and digest quite easily. When cooked simply, or even given raw in the case of fruits, they make healthy foods and snacks for children.
However, there are many mothers who complain that their kids simply refuses to eat what they give them. No matter what varieties and foods are presented, the child sometimes sticks to stubborn rebellion. Chilren run away at the sight of food, some clench their teeth tightly so nothing can be fed, while others deliberately take great pains in vomiting the little food they have been force fed.
After the age of one, children feel a certain sense of independence. Most children start to walk, and begin to realise they are an independent entity, and not just an extension of the mother. A sense of individuality starts to develop in them.
They want to explore and do things themselves. The difficult part for the mother is the child is still unable to fully understand what is being said. In waging a battle over food, the child ends up being the ultimate victor.
The best way out is to let the child eat themselves and encourage the kids to eat healthy foods. This is not only one way of getting them to eat, but is also a big milestone in the growing of the child. They like to touch and feel their foods, and this will motivate them to eat it. Mothers sometimes dissuade this habit, since the child takes too long over the meal, and invariably makes a mess around itself.
However, feeding the child will only cause more problems. It goes against the independence of the child, making him resent foods. Moreover, feeding can be a difficult habit to break, and can pose serious problems when the child goes to school, as he will be unable to eat by himself.
Give children only a limited time for every meal. On the completion of the allotted time, take away what food has not yet been eaten. This will help children understand that there is only a limited time for each meal, and will teach them to eat faster within a few days.
Many mothers love showering their children with varieties of foods and do not like repeating foods at all. Children, however, need to develop a taste for every food. Give the child the same food for at least five to six days at a stretch so he can develop a taste for it. This will then, stay for life.
The most important thing is to make the environment around the child’s meal pleasant. Avoid shouting, fighting, or being harsh on the child. Never leave the television on while eating.
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