11 Common Mistakes Parents Make While Feeding Their Toddler

Team AckoFeb 9, 2024

When it comes to feeding toddlers, unknowingly there are many mistakes you are likely to make! Your little one is going to be weaned from milk and abruptly he's looked with a radical new playing field at dinner time. There is a colossal scope of decision for parents as well. A few people need to develop and make their own infant food, while others are glad to pick from the supermarket to make puree at home, while some basically get the pre-made child nourishment. 

Whichever alternative works for your family, there are a couple of basics you have to think about arranging your toddler's dinners. Here are some common mistakes that parents make when feeding their toddler and also the most recent research on allergen introduction and other specific eating regimens. We'll even discuss answers for normal mealtime issues. 

Key things to remember if you have a fussy eater

Common mistakes parents make while feeding their toddlers

Get ready to refresh your little child bolstering abilities! 

An excess of sugar

It's difficult to accept, however, the normal intake of sugar comparatively higher for kids worldwide than it is for grown-ups (which isn't a healthy number itself). We all realize that an excessive amount of sugar can bring about numerous issues; key among them are obesity and cavities.

The World Health Organization has observed this issue and prescribes that a youngster's eating routine should comprise of close to 10% "free sugars." Those are basic sugars added to prepared nourishment (counting locally acquired baby food), and simple sugar in honey, organic product and other crude and natural sources. 

While making your own particular toddler food maintaining a strategic distance from the normal sugars is advisable. Remember to involve vegetables and meat in his schedule as well. Also, in case that you purchase your baby food, there are brands you can buy with less sugar and that doesn't depend as intensely on sugar or fruits.

Not starting with iron-rich food 

A baby’s digestive system is not strong enough to digest solid food until he has reached six months of age but even when he has his digestive system doesn’t change overnight. For his digestive system to be resilient enough to digest solid food it takes time and it is a slow process. 

The intake of iron in his food should start early, apart from breast milk especially around the time he is approaching toddlerhood solid food which is iron rich should be a part of his meal. You can choose pureed meat, eggs, beans, lentils etc. 

Once your infant is eating great you can make sure their iron needs are met and can explore different avenues with other food groups.

Unbalanced vegetarian diets 

In the event that you have your tyke go along with you in your vegetarian diet, you'll have to include some key supplements from different sources. Vegan diets can be perfectly suited for little children, yet you need to be additionally watchful with your tyke's protein necessities. 

Having a deficiency in protein at any age can be a problem but it is not as harmful to adults as it is for children as deficiency of protein and nutrition at toddlerhood and young age can hamper long-term development and growth.

An excessive amount of salt 

A toddler between age one to three years old is ought to ingest, maximum of just two grams of salt every day. Kids who are simply being acquainted with solid food are acclimated to getting low, amount of salt in bosom milk or baby formula, and having excessive salt in their eating regime can really cause them stomach issues and even increment in blood pressure and give them a higher hazard for coronary illness, stoutness, and different diseases. 

There's no compelling reason to add salt to your kid's food, and you may need to watch how much salt they are getting from store purchased foods. 

Check out: How much fat is needed in your child's diet?

Not giving a happy eater attention 

In case you've been fortunate to have your toddler eat cheerfully and legitimately amid supper times, ensure that you give him a lot of consideration and positive acclaim when he does so. 

If you give your child attention only when he misbehaves, he will try to gauge this attention next time by misbehaving. If it is ok to avoid poor behaviours you can do so, but if he is eating merrily praise and encourage him.

An excessive number of mealtime distractions 

One of the most common mistakes parents make while feeding their toddler is to distract them with TV, internet, etc. How is your toddler supposed to learn to eat with so many distractions?

If you make eating as the main diversion around, your toddler will put more effort into eating.  Then again, if your youngster discovers eating itself upsetting, as well as has learning inability that has expanded trouble at mealtime, at that point another diversion may really serve them at mealtime. Some T.V. or on the other hand delicate music could occupy stressed kid and reduce their nervousness. 

Feeding when your child is already full 

In the event that your toddler doesn't appear to be interested in mealtime, it can be enticing to attempt to urge him to eat rather firmly. It's your little one, it is understandable that you feel the need to ensure that they're getting their fill of supplements but feeding him while he is full is one of the most common mistakes that can be made while feeding a toddler. 

Be that as it may, most youngsters can tell when they've had enough food. In the event that a baby won't swallow or spits or heaves, turns away from food, shuts their mouth to food or obstruct their mouth with their hand, you should regard that your youngster is full. 

Requesting a kid to eat more food will make them less inclined to eat fruits and vegetables for the long haul. 

Adhering to a few vegetables 

Another common mistake while feeding your toddler is by sticking to only a few vegetables. It can be a battle to guarantee toddler is getting enough vegetables; it's rarely their most loved part of the dinner. 

As a parent, if you are open to negotiation with your toddlers about their suppers, chances are you will have more accomplishment than being demanding or nonchalant. 

One component of that trade-off is putting forth an extensive variety of vegetables at suppers and between various dinners. In the event that you offer your toddler carrots and broccoli and they'll just eat the broccoli that is still a decent dinner. 

Additionally, offer distinctive vegetables consistently and continue testing until the point you locate a few vegetables that your toddler will reliably eat. Think creatively, there is a wide range of various squashes, beans, and root vegetables that you may not regularly eat but your child may enjoy eating.

Limiting treats to prompt healthier eating 

In spite of the fact that it's a mainstream procedure, telling a kid that they can't have a cupcake to the point that their veggies are done won't effectively motivate them.

Rather, this expands a kid's want for the treat and makes them depreciate the healthy nourishment, in the long haul. Rather, it is recommended you be all the more straightforward with your youngster and delicately propose that they attempt eating the vegetable. 

Additionally, in the event that you eat the vegetable or the child’s sibling does, at that point your tyke will probably eat it themselves. 

Long mealtimes 

Toddlers can get really agitated and overwhelmed if their mealtimes are too long.  Rather, endeavor to keep mealtimes short, especially if your tyke appears to fill up rapidly. 

You can simply have a small mealtime later if your tyke gets eager once more. Ensure that you're additionally eating a little amount of food with them at the two mealtimes, however, on the grounds that your eating will help inspire theirs, especially for detested foods.

Having an unpredictable schedule 

One of the common mistakes during feeding a toddler is having an unpredictable schedule. We've talked about the fact that anxiety can be a major issue at meal times, and the most amazing way to make mealtimes exceptionally planned. 

On the off chance that a little child can anticipate when mealtime will happen, and mealtime is started by some other normal routine, such as setting the table. This is likewise a decent method to manufacture a solid connection amongst yourself and your little child, where they recognize what to expect from you.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.