Avoiding Food Battles

Parenting Tips

Battles over food often occur when parents are too concerned about what, how much and when their children eat. Avoid making mealtime a battleground. Your baby is testing his independence. This means that he'll try to do things his way—not yours. Relax and accept your baby's unusual food choices. As he matures, your baby will follow your lead more easily.

• Don't insist on eating foods in a certain order. Resist saying dessert is a treat for "plate cleaners" only. This power struggle makes dessert more desirable to your 11-month-old.
• Instead, serve a nutritious and balanced meal. Let your baby eat it in whatever order he chooses.
• Don't restrict food combinations. If your baby wants to dip his toast in pudding or mix his spinach with rice, let him. He's trying out new tastes. He's eating nutritious food. Try to respect his harmless investigation.
• Don't force your baby to eat. For example, carrots are an important part of a baby's diet. But even a healthy food like a carrot is not worth a battle. Offer him a choice of healthy foods. Follow his cues about when he has had enough.

These tips were reproduced from the U.S. Department of Education.

View more Infant Parenting Tips.