Getting Your Kid to Eat (part 1)

let's try this again. (similar content as previous post but I hated the presentation of information!)

My information for these posts come from Ellyn Satter--a Registered Dietitian and Family therapist who has been working in this area for over 40 years and is an expert on the topic--and my favorite nutrition book: Complete Food and Nutrition Guide (this is a great book for everyone and I highly recommend it!)

Division of Responsibility (click for more info from her website)
This is the theory of what the parent is responsible for and what the child is responsible for when it comes to eating.

1. With Infants:

- Parents decide what the infant will eat (ie: breastmilk or formula)
- Infant decides everything else (when, how much, etc)

2. With Toddlers and adolescents:

- Parents decide what, when, and where
- Child decides which (of the foods offered) and how much (and whether or not he/she eats)

Basically, once your child is eating any solid foods, parents can take more control over when it comes to feeding. The parent should provide a variety of foods and have a set time and place where the foods are eaten. As much as possible, your child should be eating his meals at the table with family. They should be eating the same meal as the rest of the family.