My 3 years old daughter is not eating food without watching phone. what I should do?

Question

My  3 years old daughter is not eating food without watching phone. what I should do?

Accepted Answer

Breaking the habit of associating food with the phone can take time, but with consistent efforts, you can encourage healthier eating habits. Here are some tips:

1. **Set a Routine:** Establish a consistent mealtime routine. Having regular meal and snack times can create a predictable eating schedule.

2. **Create a Positive Environment:** Make mealtimes pleasant and distraction-free. Avoid using the phone during meals, and encourage conversation or play.

3. **Lead by Example:** Children often mimic behavior. Show them that mealtime is a time for connection and enjoyment by putting away your phone during meals as well.

4. **Engage in Conversations:** Use mealtime as an opportunity to talk and connect with your child. Ask about their day or discuss interesting topics to make meals enjoyable.

5. **Introduce Fun and Healthy Foods:** Make the meal visually appealing and introduce new foods in a creative way. Use colorful fruits and vegetables or create fun shapes with the food.

6. **Involve Your Child in Meal Preparation:** When possible, involve your child in age-appropriate meal preparation activities. This can create a sense of ownership and interest in the food.

7. **Offer Choices:** Provide your child with choices within healthy options. This can help them feel a sense of control over what they eat.

8. **Gradual Transition:** If your child strongly associates meals with the phone, consider a gradual transition. Start by reducing phone use during one meal and gradually extend it to other meals.

9. **Establish Clear Boundaries:** Clearly communicate that using the phone during meals is not allowed. Be consistent with enforcing this rule.

10. **Use Positive Reinforcement:** Praise and reward your child for positive behavior during meals without the phone. Positive reinforcement can be a powerful motivator.

Remember that changes in habits take time, and it's normal for there to be some resistance initially. Be patient, consistent, and provide positive encouragement. If you find it challenging, consider discussing the issue with your pediatrician for additional guidance.