#asktheexpert why my child doesn’t eat without tv or phone ? No matter how hungry he gets, he needs screen in front to eat.

Question

Accepted Answer

1. Troubleshoot the mealtime structure. Afternoon snacks too close to dinner? Dinner is too late when the child is tired? How can you make sure he is comfortably hungry, but not starving, for the meal?

2. Especially at the beginning, include familiar and liked foods in family meals so the child can always find something to eat and make sure to schedule a snack 1.5-2 hours after a meal so he has a chance to eat again soon.

3. Adjust expectations. 10-15 minutes of sitting still at a table is a very long time for a busy toddler. Set a timer for 5 minutes at first and extend mealtime to 15 minutes gradually.

4. Understand whether your child’s eating is typical for his age or he is struggling with some underlying challenges that make eating difficult.

4. Relax about the number of bites and spoonfuls. Less pressure at mealtimes means better eating habits for the rest of the life. Follow the Division of Responsibility in feeding and look at a bigger picture.

5. Get personalized help. Schedule a free phone chat to see how I can help.  Eating with TV, iPad or books is a very common concern for many parents and I have helped many to successfully get rid of all mealtime distractions.