How to feed a toddler???

Hmmmm . . . I have a 5 year old and a 5-1/2 month old (soon to eat solids). I can't remember any "tactics" we used for my daughter when she was a toddler. Mostly we sat her in her high chair as she knew THAT was the place she ate - I think I was pretty business-like about it. I wasn't into tricking her into eating or eating more . . . she ate at that high chair - and if she was done, I left it at that. At the time, she was less picky about what she ate, so in a sense it was easier back then (she's much pickier now - hee hee). If there were certain foods she liked, then I'd add stuff in it to make it extra healthier and tastier . . . like scrambled eggs, I'd add in different pureed vegetables. If someone else was taking care of her like my mom or sister, I'd always provide them with her foods so they didn't have to deal with figuring out what to feed her. And if I'm taking care of any other child, I make sure to ask the moms about their kids likes and dislikes (and allergies). My mother-in-law brought ears of corns over for part of dinner thinking that it'd be fun for my daughter . . . but my daughter never liked corn . . . and MIL thought ALL kids liked corn. Basically, I have tried not to make a big deal about food - I want my kids to have a healthy attitude about food - though I try to give healthy choices. My son is about to start "eating" so we'll see how it goes with him!

The way to feed a toddler is to tell them eat what you want and the food normally disapears of the plate. Thats what my mum does for my nephew's especially when they say I don't like whats in front them.

my tactics is to come out and play. I used to take my kids out then talk them for a 'knowledge travel'. I will introduce to them some flower's name, or bugs name whenever we meet them. They will eat the food unconsciously because they were attracting with what they saw.

hi,same as you, i don't have my own child yet! but i'm also taking care of my niece,she's 3 years old now and sometimes really hard to feed. i also let her watch tv while eating and tell her that if she doesn't eat,someone will get her and she'll never have the chance to see us again.sometimes it works sometimes no.we also tried to tell her to eat first before we go somewhere nice like mall or playground,even in reality we'll not able to come there. sometimes children do believe what we say.there were times that my niece didn't really like to eat but when i say things that she'll get happy with after finished eating her meals she'll be in a hurry to eat well to get what she wants!

Feeding a 2 or 3 year old child is quite a challenge. There is no step-by-step formula on how to do it really. I am currently studying caregiving and one of our modules involve child care. The trick is to understand first their bahavioral patterns and characteristics. I suggest you do research conscerning child psychology on growth and developement so as to have a better understanding of your nephew.

I have a 2 and a half year old and a 9 month old.. I have found the best way o feed both of them (sounds bad) is to let them go for it themselves..I give my 2 year old a bowl and a spoon and I put food on the tray for the 9 month old.. It is not only the best way for my kids but it also seems to help them get some independence..

Hey! My problem is just the opposite! I started a thread called What happened to picky eaters? My grandchildren eat so much it's obscene. At least they did. They've both started being more normal about it but to see a four year old rivaling the face-stuffing of my teenage son was disconcerting to say the least. It's not a good idea to lie to the child about finishing eating so you can go somewhere when you have no intention of going! That makes you a liar, is that really what you want to be? It does take creativity to feed little ones with normal - i.e. non-existent - appetites. If mine wouldn't eat, they just had to go hungry until the next snack or mealtime unless they were too young to learn that lesson yet. It's easy enough to keep healthy snacks for whenever they need to eat, especially when you can't imagine how they can survive on the little you can get in them.