Many parents are faced with a problem when a child refuses to eat unfamiliar food. And while all the efforts of adults in vain, because if the child is fussy eating, then no amount of persuasion and even criticisms here will not help. What are the causes of children's fear of the new food, what this phenomenon is caused and how to fight it?
The reluctance or fear of the child try new food - a kind of defensive reaction of the baby, a phenomenon called "neophobia". Food neophobia - this is the fear of something new and unknown, and in this case, children fear of food that the child had not previously tried.
Causes of childhood neophobia
- Failure to provide food as a way of self-affirmation - so that the child wants to show the adults their "I", that he currently manages the parade.
- rejection of the unfamiliar food as a way to "protect" of something new and unknown - a child is trying to protect itself, thus ignoring all attempts adults offer him a tasty and balanced meals.
- refusal of food due to the kind of unappetizing cooked food - in this case the child is not satisfied with the appearance of dishes and for this reason, it just is not going to even try to taste, defiantly pushing plate.
- refusal of food due to the negative statements about the cooked food from the adultsThat the child always trusts, for their opinion to him above all else.
- denial because of the memories of adverse experiences tasting a certain food - negative emotions experienced by the child in the past, when he tried the food remains in the memoryyati long and act like a protective barrier.
- no perception of "normal food" - failure to understand the child that he is given. This happens under unfavorable families in which the children do not know the variety of food, so her fear and refuse.
How to help your child cope with the problem?
In all the above cases, you need to take is very kind to the child. Adults need to gain strength and work together to find the cause of the food neophobia, and then try to overcome it together.
- The main thing is not to go too far - do not force the child to eat by forceNot intimidating, nor does it compare with other children, who all eat.
- Try RVariety of diet kid, telling him at the same time the origin and the beneficial properties of a product. The child is very important to interest and perhaps somewhere to cheat, but to achieve without damaging fumes, the desired result.
- Prefer a family meal, and no single individual feeding the baby - not focus on it, behave naturally and easily.
- Try to offer your child a meal at the same time - Follow mode, as well as snacks and try to limit extraneous distracting items such as gadgets.
The reason for the fear of new foods can be genetic or age characteristics of the child, in some cases - it is a problem with chewing or gastrointestinal tract. Just be careful to rely on the discretion and culinary skills, as any parent knows best specialists in their child's preferences. Food neophobia - it is not a sentence, it is quite normal that requires competent strategic actions.
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