Fussy Eaters

Take heart if you're struggling to get your child to eat properly, because you're certainly not alone: fussy eating isn't just common, it's normal!

Problems arise when your baby is around 12 months old as they become more aware of the world, their natural instincts may make them suspicious of new foods. Experts agree that the earlier you introduce particular types of food – preferably within the first year – the more likely they are to be accepted by your children, but there are no guarantees.

Sharing mealtimes is definitely a good idea, even if you just have a sandwich while feeding your child. 'If children are fed on their own and all the attention is focused on them and their eating, they may see it as the perfect way to hold your attention and prolong meals by playing rather than eating.

Fussy eating and your toddler

A common time for problems to arise is during the 'terrible 2s'. Having lulled you into a false sense of security, your toddler will wake one morning with dietary requirements that would make a Michelin-starred restaurant struggle.

Dealing with a child refusing to eat

There's a great deal of difference between asking a child firmly to eat his meal and making him sit in front of a plateful of congealing food for hours. If children refuse to eat and you know that there's no underlying reason, explain that they'll be hungry later and there won't be anything else on offer until the next meal.

One important golden rule is to stay calm and never make an issue out of a refusal to eat. But that's easier said than done when your 2 year old has thrown her meal on the floor because it wasn't quite to her liking, or your 3 year old won't even come to the table. And there's nothing more frustrating than having your offerings rejected by a toddler who has spent the morning stuffing everything inedible he can find in his mouth

Encouraging your child to try new foods

Apparently, 40% of mums resort to arranging food into shapes or patterns in an attempt to get their children to eat. If it works and you have the time, go for it, but it can backfire.

The key must be to find a balance. Nourishing, healthy food doesn't have to mean slaving away on some culinary masterpiece – don't forget there's as much sustenance in a slice of ham, a carrot stick and bowl of pasta as there is in a labour-intensive home-made casserole, and it's much easier to live with a rejected carrot stick than a dish that's taken hours to prepare.

Food tricks and mealtime tricks for fussy eaters

. Tempt them with healthy, easy-to-eat finger food, such as cubes of cheese, hard-boiled eggs, baby new potatoes and raisins.

· If you're worried your kids aren't getting enough protein, make pancakes and add an extra egg.
· Don't forget that carrots are still carrots, even if they're baked in a cake – a sneaky way to increase their vegetable intake.

· If they have a nugget fetish, make your own by crumbing chicken or fish fillets.

· Make your own smoothies by blending together fresh fruit and natural yogurt.

· Raw food can be more appealing because of its texture. Try broccoli and runner beans as well as carrots and grapes.

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