Tips for Dads to Successfully Introduce New Foods to their Child
Introducing new foods to your child is an opportunity for Dads to get more involved in the feeding process especially when breastfeeding has been the predominant and sole source of nutrition. Dads play an essential role in their child's development. They can influence future eating habits and can help form healthy attitudes toward food while introducing solid foods. Here are tips to successfully introduce new foods to your little one:
Begin offering a variety of foods, textures, smells, and flavors at an early age to help promote food acceptance and reduce the fear of anything new.
Introduce one new food at a time and with familiar foods as children tend to have neophobia, the fear of anything new. They can become overwhelmed with too many unfamiliar foods at one time.
Shop, prep, and cook with your child. Let your child experiment with food using all their 6 senses: taste, smell, touch, see, hear, and intuition. For example, let them hear the crunch and crackle of a new cereal or feel the texture of smooth, creamy yogurt.
Make meal times pleasant free of stress, anxiety, and arguments.
Allow for both spoon feeding and baby-led weaning. Offer bite size pieces of safe foods and don't pressure your child to finish their plate so that your child can learn to honor their own hunger and fullness cues.
Note the division of responsibility between you and your child. You, as the parent, are responsible for what, where, and when food is served. Your child is responsible for whether and how much they eat.
Never give up! Know that it can take up to 15 tries and exposures before your child may accept a new food. Eating the same foods with your child helps them realize the food is safe and encourages food acceptance.
If you are concerned about your child's acceptance to new foods, there may be something interfering with their ability to eat. Reach out to your pediatrician for further assessment.