POOJA KOTHARIMom of a 8 yr 5 m old boy5 months agoA. It’s great that your kid wants to eat independently, but avoiding chewing and preferring only soft foods can affect nutrition and oral development. Here are some tips to encourage better eating habits:
1. Encourage Chewing Gradually Start with semi-soft textured foods like mashed fruits, well-cooked veggies, or soft parathas. Offer small, bite-sized pieces of rotis, idlis, or soft dosa to encourage chewing. Give finger foods like steamed carrot sticks, banana pieces, paneer cubes, or soft toast. 2. Make Eating Fun & Engaging Serve food in a colorful plate with different shapes. Let your child pick from a small variety of foods to feel in control. Offer dips like curd, chutney, or peanut butter to make food more interesting. 3. Reduce Over-Reliance on Soft Foods Slowly transition from purees to mildly mashed foods and then to solid textures. Avoid blending everything; instead, mash lightly and encourage small bites. 4. Let the Child Eat on Their Own Give a baby spoon or fork to explore self-feeding. Offer bite-sized foods that can be picked up easily. 5. Be Patient & Consistent Avoid force-feeding. Keep mealtime stress-free. Praise small improvements in chewing and independent eating.
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