Baby refuses to eat: what should you do?

Children really do keep us on our toes. After the phase of separation anxiety and teething, baby refuses to eat — what should you do?

Let us tackle a subject that baffles most parents together…

Baby refuses to eat: what should you do?

Well, the answer might come as a surprise, but in the majority of cases: absolutely nothing. Indeed, it happens that your child refuses to eat a dish they normally love.

There are several possible explanations for this. It may simply be a case of "fussiness at the table". In that situation, mealtimes can become a real ordeal. The child cries, screams, and flatly refuses to eat what is on offer. But very often, this phase coincides with the "no" phase around the age of 2.

On the other hand, some children adopt a refusal attitude for no apparent reason — they eat nothing, or very little. But this generally does not last.

When can we talk about food neophobia?

You will quickly be able to tell the difference between a baby who simply refuses food and genuine food neophobia. This phobia is characterised by a real fear of new foods. It typically appears around the age of 18 to 24 months, though more rarely before — it can occasionally affect children from as young as 6 months.

Your little one will start examining their plate, poking and sniffing at it, and categorically refusing to eat.

It is worth noting, however, that food neophobia exists on a spectrum. It may last a few weeks or even several months. In rarer cases, it can extend over several years.

We recommend consulting your paediatrician to discuss it with them.

Baby refuses to eat: helping them through this phase

Unfortunately, there is no miracle solution to this problem. That said, the adults present at mealtimes do have a role to play!

It is important to stay calm, be patient, and above all avoid entering into a battle of wills — as this risks making the child dig their heels in even further!

We recommend reassuring baby, naming the foods on their plate, and eating the same things yourself. It is also important to avoid punishment and bargaining. You can offer them a small taste of each food, but never force the issue.

Rest assured! In the vast majority of cases, this phase does pass and you will find that baby returns to a normal diet.