Refusal to Eat


Not eating is an early indication your child may be unwell, so observe your child. If she looks paler, seems fretful or is clumsier than usual, check her temperature. Sometimes your child may have snacked a lot or drank milk before mealtimes causing her to lose appetite. As long as the snacks were nutritious, you should not be too concerned. If your child refuses to eat for no real reason, don't let that bother you. Your child will eat only as much food as she really needs and if you insist that she feeds more, mealtimes can become cumbersome for both of you.



Eating Out

As your baby grows, there are more occasions when she will be eating away from home. You should try to ensure that the good habits she has learned at home should not be unlearned once she starts to eat out. If your child is attending a playgroup or a nursery school, try to make sure she has a good breakfast before she goes so she doesn't stay hungry causing her to lose temper and concentration. If lunch is provided try to find out the menu; if you are not satisfied, you may pack lunch from home. Foods should include something that your child can eat with her fingers. Children are often encouraged to try new foods in the company of other children; you may find that once your child starts at a playgroup or school, she may start to eat foods that she previously rejected at home, which is a plus!