She is recently enamored with her tongue. Sticking it out, moving it around, grabbing it (and thusly grabbing our tongues) have become favorite past times of our little munchkin. Therefore, it is all the more important that I convince her to actually keep her food in her mouth and get it down to her tummy. Otherwise, we all know what kind of mess will ensue. (a big one, in case you weren't sure)
Fortunately, I have found a solution. That works for my kid. That works right now. (see, we all know that every kid is totally and completely different and that nothing that works now will work again later. silly babies.)
Toys. Duh, right? Give a kid toys and they will be happy. I hand over a couple small cups with lids or random kitchen utensil and she will put the lids on and take them off and swish things around while I surreptitiously cram everything I can into her little mouth. If she looks up and see that I am indeed feeding her, I hurriedly spoon in one of her favorites like applesauce or hummus.
"See? I've been giving you that the whole time. Mmm. Now go back to playing."
Then, while she is preoccupied, in go the veggies and beans and such. It's magic, I tell you.
At least for this week.
7 comments:
My son has recently decided to stop liking virtually everything (except bananas). It is super frustrating since he's always been a champion eater. And toys have only worked so well. Doesn't it feel a bit deceptive to sneak food like that?! But it is THE ONLY WAY!
Ahhh..the distraction method...you obviously were a mother a in a previous life to execute that SO well :)
Jenn, aren't they so crazy in their food habits!? Like, geez, kid, you've GOT to be hungry! And other days they can't eat enough. Who knows...
I have always heard that the distraction tactic is key, Luanne, so I've been looking for ways to put it into practice! My own momma taught me well!
now that you've said it out loud it won't work anymore... ;) hee hee.
I thought I was being sneaky, when Leah decided not to finish her banana, and I would sneak bits of it in with her bites of yogurt. After a few days of this, thinking I was getting away with it, she purposefully wouldn't eat her banana, and wanted to break it up an stick it in her yogurt. I wasn't so sneaky I guess. She just liked it better that way! :)
Oh gosh, Kris, that is great! I did the food sneak trick before with fruit and cottage cheese. Or frankly, anything and cottage cheese. Only worked for so long.
I love that she just liked it better. These kids are so stinking smart sometimes!
I had been disguising a dislike in a favorite (e.g. cover chicken with applesauce; hide kidney bean behind broccoli). now the problem solver spits out the chicken but retains the applesauce, spits the bean and eats the broccoli top. grrrrrr....
Oh I know, Joy! My kid wants to do that but doesn't quite know how yet. The dinner travails endure.
Tonight I lined up her options and let her pick which she wanted! Worked pretty well, akshully.
Post a Comment