1. CHECK THEIR FEET

You don’t want your child to spend their energy working on their balance at the table so make sure their feet are supported if they can’t touch the floor. Use a foot stool or toilet step for them to rest their feet on.

2. PREPARE THE TABLE

Help prepare your child for meal times by using visual cues such as a table mat. Put it out on the table just before a meal is ready and put it away when the meal is finished.

3. PREPARE THEIR BODY

Heavy muscle work can help calm, organise and wake muscles up. Try some simple warm up exercises before eating to prepare their body for meal times. Do a simple obstacle course indoors, some crawling on all 4’s or simply get them to carry an appropriate chair or stool to the sink to stand on to wash their hands.

4. WASH HANDS

Wash hands vigorously and dry firmly with an air-dried (rather than tumbled dried) towel.

5. PREPARE FACE/MOUTH

Get your child to wash and dry their face and cheeks with an air-dried flannel to help de sensitise ready for eating.

6. DEALING WITH MESS

Keep napkins or a flannel and towel close by your child when they are eating so they can easily wipe their hands/face if they get upset when messy. If your child dislikes having their face wiped, then do this away from the table/highchair.

7. DON’T STRESS ABOUT TABLE MANNERS

If your child has a limited diet, then getting them to eat is the priority, not table manners; they can come later.

8. KEEP MEAL TIMES SHORT

Don’t spend more than 20 minutes’ maximum at the table eating.

9. HAVE A PREFERRED FOOD ON THE TABLE

Your child is unlikely to be motivated to come to the table if there is nothing they can see that they will want to eat. Have some favourites as well as some new food.

10. STAY POSITIVE

Just because your child doesn’t appear keen on a food today doesn’t mean they won’t like it in the future, keep exposing them to new food and leave the door open for change.

We understand that as parents / carers having a child who is a reluctant or fussy eater can be stressful and worrying. It is a basic instinct to want to feed your child. It takes time to make small changes.
If you want to find out more if your child would benefit from Magnificent Munchers then contact the team on 07591 733420.