fussy eating in babies & children | Paediatric Dietitian
Helping your child feel more comfortable around food — without the mealtime battles
Does any of this sound familiar?
You may be wondering:
is my child’s diet really that restrictive?
is my child sensitive to textures, smells, tastes or how food looks?
why will my child only eat particular brands, shapes, colours or presentations?
why is my child refusing to eat what they enjoyed last week?
why will my child only eat at home?
why will my child eat that for their grandparents but not me?
am I giving them everything they need nutritionally?
am I making mealtimes harder without realising it?
If you're worrying about your child's eating, you're not alone.
Is your child eating a very limited range of foods?
Do mealtimes feel stressful, unpredictable or exhausting? Perhaps your child refuses foods they used to eat, won't try anything new, has a very strong preference for certain brands or textures, or seems to survive on a handful of “safe” foods.
You may be wondering whether your child's eating is just a phase — or whether they need a little more support.
I can help you understand what's happening with your child's eating and whether their current diet is meeting their nutritional needs, with practical, realistic strategies that work for your child and your family.
Fussy eating
Fussy eating is very common in childhood, particularly during the toddler years. Many children go through phases of preferring familiar foods or refusing foods they previously enjoyed. But sometimes eating becomes more than simply being “a bit fussy”.
When a child finds eating difficult, it can be tempting to think they're being difficult or stubborn. In reality, there can be many reasons why a child struggles with food.
Eating difficulties can be influenced by:
taste and texture
familiarity and a preference for routine
sensory sensitivities
appetite and routine
previous experiences
development and neurodiversity
anxiety and emotions
illness or other factors affecting appetite and eating
Understanding why your child is finding eating difficult is an important first step in working out how best to support them.
Ready to talk?
Take the stress out of mealtimes. Book your free discovery call to discuss how I may be able to help.
How can I help?
Together we can:
assess your child’s current intake
look at whether they are getting the nutrients they need and what changes may help
understand what’s behind their eating difficulties
make mealtimes less stressful
develop realistic strategies
FAQs
Some degree of fussy eating is very common in childhood, particularly in toddlers and preschool-aged children. Many children go through phases of preferring familiar foods or refusing foods they previously ate. However, if your child's diet is becoming increasingly restricted, is causing significant stress, or you're concerned about their nutrition or growth, it can be helpful to seek professional advice.
1
Is fussy eating normal?
How do I know if my child's fussy eating needs professional help?
2
Every child is different, but it may be worth seeking support if your child eats a very limited range of foods, refuses whole food groups, has strong sensory reactions to foods, becomes very distressed around meals, or if you're worried about their nutritional intake or growth.
You don't need to wait until the situation becomes severe. Getting advice early can help you feel more confident about how to support your child.
Will you make my child eat foods they don't like?
3
No. The aim isn't to force your child to eat foods they don't want. Pressure around eating can make mealtimes more stressful and may make some children even more reluctant to try foods.
Instead, we'll look at ways to help your child feel safer and more comfortable around food, while gradually building their confidence and food variety where appropriate.
Can you help if my child only eats a few foods?
4
Yes. A very limited diet is something I can help you assess.
We'll look at the foods your child currently accepts, identify any nutritional concerns and consider practical ways to support their nutritional intake and, where appropriate, gradually broaden their diet. The approach will be tailored to your child's individual eating pattern rather than relying on a generic list of foods.
Can you help with sensory-related eating difficulties?
5
Yes. Some children have strong preferences around texture, taste, smell, temperature, colour or the appearance of food.
We can explore your child's individual sensory preferences and consider how these may be affecting their eating. This can be particularly relevant for children who are neurodivergent or have other sensory differences.
What if my child used to eat well but has suddenly become very selective?
6
A sudden change in eating can have a number of possible causes. It's useful to consider whether anything has changed around the same time, such as illness, constipation, pain, choking or vomiting, changes in routine, or a difficult experience with food.
We'll explore your child's eating history and any relevant factors to help understand what may be contributing to the change.
Will my child need supplements?
7
Not every child who is fussy needs supplements. If your child's diet is restricted, we can assess their nutritional intake and discuss whether supplementation may be appropriate. If a supplement is recommended, I'll explain why it may be useful and how it should fit into your child's overall diet.
How many appointments will my child need?
8
This varies from child to child. Some families may benefit from a single assessment and personalised plan, while others may need follow-up appointments to review progress and make adjustments. I'll recommend follow-up based on your child's needs rather than automatically booking a set number of sessions.
Let’s take the worry out of feeding your child.
Book your free discovery call and let's talk about your child’s intake, what’s worrying you and how I may be able to support you and your family.