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Why a very selective child is reluctant to try new foods
There are far more children that are very selective, and therefore by definition, unwilling to eat new foods than you would imagine. Experts around the world agree that 5–10% of ALL children have eating challenges so severe that they will not grow out of them without intervention.
This is backed up by my experience working with over 100 families per year and talking to many, many more.
Why are children very selective?
Children can be really selective for a variety of reasons. For some this develops as they age, for others it seems to be there right from the beginning.
Studies done on children who go on to be super selective have shown that for some, at two and four weeks old, they have different sucking patterns than babies who become competent eaters.
This means there is indeed an in-built factor in some children that makes it more challenging for them to eat easily. I have spoken to parents who confirm this, for example, having a baby that will not accept a change in formula. This is not something that is the “fault of the parent”.
Other children find food challenging from the start and yet others seem to find it progressively more difficult.
