Nutrition
Why is this Important?
One of the most important ways we take care of our children is by feeding them. Food is love, nourishment, fuel for growth, and a way that we teach our children about their bodies.
The types of food and amount children eat changes as they grow. When children are in changing or new environments, they may adjust what or how they eat. These changes in a child’s eating behavior may be stressful for you.
You play an important role in being a calm and reassuring guide to how and what your children eat. The approach to supporting children’s feeding can be different at each stage of development from a baby, to a toddler, to a child in early school to an adolescent.
What to know
One approach to support your children’s eating habits is to consider what the responsibilities are of you as the caregiver and of the child at each stage of development. Dr. Ellyn Satter calls this the “Division of Responsibility in Feeding.” In this approach, your job as the caregiver is feeding and your child’s job is eating.
During infancy
(0-12 months)
Caregivers decide what a child eats, for example breastmilk or formula.
Infants decide how much to eat
As a caregiver, you learn about your baby's cues to tell you when they want to eat, when they want more to eat, when they are done eating, and how fast to feed them.
During early &
middle childhood
(2-5 years) (6-11 years)
Caregivers decide what a child eats and when and where a child eats.
Children decide how much and whether or not to eat
As children grow, they eat more of their food at child care and school. Sometimes children have a hard time eating at school because they have a short time to eat; they do not like the food served; or how they get the food is unfamiliar to them. Talking through with your child how and when they eat lunch at school can help support them.
During toddlerhood
(13 months-2 years)
Caregivers decide what a toddler eats and when and where a toddler eats.
Toddlers decide how much and whether or not to eat
During adolescence
(12-18 years)
Caregivers may still decide in some contexts what, when and where an adolescent eats, and they are likely to be making many of these decisions more independently.
Adolescents decide how much and whether or not to eat
It is okay and appropriate for parents to set limits around child feeding, similar to how you do for other child behaviors like watching screens, playing with other children or cleaning up.
What Actions to Take
☐ See your child’s doctor for regular check ups to ensure that their growth is following its predictable curve. The most important way to know our child is growing is to check in with their doctor.
☐ Create an environment where your child is comfortable to talk about when they are eating and not eating (for example in the school environment or snacking)
☐ Offer your child new foods multiple times and set an expectation that they need to just take a taste.
☐ Invite your child to cook meals and prepare snacks with you. Your child’s involvement in the cooking process can help them to learn about food, learn new skills and be more open to trying foods.
Key Resources
