3 ways to help your baby want to eat - Part 1

Baby Feeding Doctor | Dr Amanda Khamis, PhD
Aug 13, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Sep 16

Do you struggle to get your child to eat? Does mealtime sometimes feel like a never-ending battle of wills? You are not alone. Many parents search for ways to help their baby eat more willingly, and the good news is there are gentle, evidence-based strategies that can make a big difference.

Whether your baby is just starting solids or your toddler is becoming more selective, these tips from Baby Feeding Dr can help your child develop a healthy appetite and positive relationship with food.

Smiling toddler in a high chair eats strawberries on a green tray. Background has a table with fruits and a plant, creating a cheerful scene. — A joyful child enjoying a snack of strawberries while seated in a high chair, surrounded by a cozy kitchen setting.

1. Remove Pressure

One of the most effective ways to help your baby eat is to take the pressure out of mealtimes. Coaxing, bribing, or insisting on “just one more bite” can turn eating into a chore and create long-term food aversions.

Instead, make mealtimes relaxed and low-stress. Serve food without expectation and let your child decide what and how much to eat. Trust the division of responsibility in feeding: your job is to decide what food is served, when, and where, and your child’s job is to decide whether to eat and how much.

For example, instead of saying “You have to eat your broccoli before dessert”, place the broccoli on the plate with no comment and enjoy your own food. When eating is a choice, children are more likely to try new foods in their own time.

2. Avoid Grazing

Constant snacking can interfere with hunger signals and make it harder to help your baby eat enough at main meals. While it may feel like a quick fix to offer snacks throughout the day, grazing can lead to picky eating habits and reduced appetite at mealtimes.

Establishing a consistent routine of three main meals and two or three planned snacks encourages children to arrive at the table hungry and ready to eat. Offer water between meals, and reserve milk, juice, or more filling drinks for mealtimes or snacks so your child does not fill up on liquids.

3. Serve New Foods Alongside Preferred Foods

If your goal is to help your baby eat a wider variety of foods, pairing new foods with familiar favourites is one of the simplest and most effective strategies. Children feel more comfortable when they see something they recognise on their plate, which reduces anxiety about trying something new.

If your child loves pasta, for example, serve it with a small portion of roasted carrot sticks or steamed green beans. Even if they ignore the new food at first, repeated exposure in a no-pressure setting builds familiarity, and familiarity leads to acceptance.

Final Thoughts

Helping your baby eat well is about building trust, reducing pressure, and creating an environment where trying new foods feels safe. Removing pressure, avoiding grazing, and pairing new foods with favourites are three practical steps you can start using today.

Remember that every child is different and progress takes time. Patience and consistency are key. Most importantly, you are doing your best to support your child’s health, and that matters more than any single meal.