Eating

[amielady]

My 3.5yr old has been having 'food' issues for well over a year now, but it suddenly seems to be getting worse. All he wants to eat is sausages, potatoes, having eaten fairly well before now. He now won't even eat fish fingers! People are trying to be helpful and give me different adivce, but I really don't know how to handle it. Do we let him something he likes so he'll eat, or just be strict? He eats breakfast ok and will have a cheese sarnie or sausage roll for luch, its just tea time. AGGRRHHHH!!!!

I would suggest that you alternate between days when you provide a favourite and days when you want him to try something different. You don't want make life too difficult for yourself.

Explain before the meal that he has to taste the food before deciding if he likes it or not. And also make it clear that there isn't an alternative if he doesn't eat the food. Once you've set out the 'rules' then serve a very small amount, leave him to it, everyone else around the table eating normally, chatting etc.. If he tastes it, great, lots of praise. If he likes it - bonus, you've got a new favourite and he can have more. If he refuses the whole thing or makes a big fuss then ignore this, clear the plate at the end of the meal and move on.

Then it's just a case of repeating the above. Keep it on your terms, don't be too worried and he'll fall in eventually. Good luck