There are two things new parents think about the most: sleep and food That’s probably because both are such basic needs When it comes to food, the toughest situation is when a baby flatly refuses to eat They may not be quite ready for solids, so wait a couple of days or so, perhaps even a week or two, and then try again Remember to choose a time when your baby is happy to start on solids This will make it easier for you both

Picking at food
Children’s appetites vary enormously There’s no such thing as an ideal portion Look at your child’s general appetite instead of focusing on each individual meal You might find they are actually eating quite a lot during the course of the day The most important thing is to serve varied, balanced meals If your child seems happy and is growing, everything’s fine

Wants to eat only one thing
Sometimes children become obsessed with one food and refuse to eat anything else It could be potatoes, peas, cucumber – you name it Don’t worry, these fads usually pass Keep serving what you planned and keep meals varied Your child will soon discover more favourites

Flat-out refusal
It’s not unusual for children to periodically refuse to eat Try not to make a big deal out of it This is easier said than done, as it’s very stressful and frustrating – we all know how important food is in the short and long term It’s tempting to use all sorts of tricks like games, bribes and threats to get your child to swallow a mouthful or two This can easily turn into a circus which you haven’t got the strength or energy to deal with at every mealtime

Don’t make meal-times a battle
Here's some advice: sit down at the table together and put a small amount of food on your child’s plate Don’t spend too much energy on coaxing Mealtimes shouldn't be a battle of wills Playing it cool usually pays off Remember – you’ve got hunger on your side

When your child gets hungry, warm up the food and serve it Avoid “rewarding” your child with treats like biscuits or sandwiches

Never force a child to eat
If your child flatly refuses to eat and doesn't even seem hungry at mealtimes, try serving frequent smaller meals instead Your child’s food clock might simply be different to the rest of the family’s

Your child's taste is personal – just like yours
Your child might simply not like certain foods Think about your own food preferences You probably still don’t eat certain things, while you learned to like other foods as you got older Your child will go through the same process

Ask your Well Child nurse for information and advice The Ministry of Health has a useful book, ‘Eating for Babies and Toddlers’, available online or in print free from wwwhealthedgovtnz

Did your child ever refuse to eat? What did you do? Tell us about it here