Help me create good eating habits for my toddler?

[LillyBugg]

I've been really lucky so far with my 14mo DS in that he does tend to eat most things. However, this means I don't know what to do when it goes wrong. Occasionally he refuses meals that I know he's eaten before, should I offer something else? Or let him go without? I read to that I shouldn't withold pudding if he doesn't eat his main meal, why?

I'd be really interested in any advice about good eating habits that I know I need to establish now at his age because he is definitely becoming more independent and more aware of the 'rules'.

[plipplops]

Read "Getting the Little Blighters to Eat", its a set of really clear sensible guidelines that I wish I'd seen earlier x

[Littlef00t]

I will clear the food without comment if she doesn't eat it, but if she's hungry later I have a few 'boring' snacks I offer, such as rice cake, plain natural yoghurt, wheatabix or milk to make sure she doesn't wake in the night.

I still give planned pudding but as its v random when she gets one, I make sure she doesn't see it in advance in case it affects her.

[LillyBugg]

Thanks all so far.

Pudding is only ever fruit or yoghurt so at least it's going well there!

He does have milk before bed still so I guess I shouldn't worry too much if he does refuse dinner.

Any more tips are most welcome!

[BathshebaDarkstone]

Let him go without, otherwise he'll start playing you. Always offer pudding so it doesn't become a reward and therefore more desirable than savoury food.

[waitingforsomething]

I wouldn't offer something else, particularly if he's eaten it before and you know he likes it. You will be forever cooking on demand and it's hard to reverse. If he has milk before bed that's some calories and he won't starve.

The pudding thing is about not making food into a big issue. Personally. I only ever offer fruit or yoghurt for a pudding If still hungry. And I do insist that they give dinner a good attempt before they can have this. Not that they clear their plate though. If they hardly eat anything then I will assume they are not very hungry and not offer fruit or yoghurt.