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Picky Eater
Aka: Picky Eater, Picky Eating
- Epidemiology
- Incidence: Up to 50% of those under 2 years
- Physiology
- One of many signs that child is exercising their autonomy
- Management
- Review growth charts to confirm no growth delay
- Typically the normal growth charts are reassuring to parents
- Supplements and vitamins are not needed and risk overdose
- Children are wary of new foods
- May take exposure to a food up to 10 times before they accept it
- Avoid punishment or reward as this may exacerbate the problem
- Offer a wide variety of healthy foods at each meal
- Those items not eaten may be re-served as leftovers
- Older siblings who eat a broader variety of foods may be a good influence
- Combine foods in fun ways
- Limit milk to 24 ounces daily in toddlers
- Limit juice to 6 ounces per day
- References
- Cathey (2004) Pediatr Nurs 30(2): 101-7
