Picky Babies, Picky Eaters

During early childhood, picky eaters are the norm, rather than the exception. Foods can fall in and out of favor with amazing speed and for no apparent reason. In spite of this phenomenon, you should continue to offer your baby a wide variety of wholesome, nutritious foods. Research suggests that a child's food preferences are established in the first five years of life, and for this reason, it's important to encourage the eating of foods that contribute to good health.

Just because your baby refuses to eat a particular food on one occasion, doesn't mean you have to cross it off the menu forever. Be sure to offer it again in the future, as it may take as many as 10 taste tests before a child accepts a new food. It's also a good idea to vary preparation methods to find one that makes a particular food more palatable to your child.

If, for example, your baby isn't crazy about raw broccoli, your baby may discover that it tastes great when lightly steamed, and it's downright delicious in a broccoli casserole. Coping with a finicky eater can try the patience of any parent, but you can take comfort in knowing that most children outgrow this phase. With a little extra effort and encouragement from mom and dad, even the pickiest kids can get a nutritious, varied diet