My child suffers from food neophobia: what should I do?

De bébé gourmand à enfant exigeant : tout sur la néophobie alimentaire - Élhée

When he was little, he ate everything in alternation with his bottles: Brussels sprouts, strong cheeses… his mouth opened wide and round when the spoon approached. But, for some time now, baby is no longer greedy. On the contrary, he is demanding and refuses all novelty. Gone is the discovery of flavors and curiosity. On his plate, potatoes, pasta and purees go round in circles. This is food neophobia, a natural distrust that is sometimes complicated to manage, with regard to new foods.

SUMMARY :

Food neophobia, recognizing and taming this change
The influence of the environment and the sociology of food
The secrets of a plate that makes you want to eat
The Élhée tip: when the container makes all the difference
Support without stress: the key to peaceful meals
Beyond Neophobia: Building a Positive Relationship with Food

Food neophobia, recognizing and taming this change

Food neophobia appears more or less gradually around 18 to 24 months , roughly at the same time as the period of opposition and its recurring "No!". While he was eating very well until then, your child refuses new foods more and more often. Is this the case for you? Here is how to identify this very common eating behavior for sure.

Your child no longer wants to taste anything , he may seem disgusted and even frightened by the idea.
He reacts badly to new foods, becomes nauseated , repulsed or even has a crying fit .
Certain familiar foods are clearly favored (often white pasta, potatoes, fries, mash, etc.).
Meals are more complicated with anxiety or stress about coming to the table to eat.
Stomach aches, nausea or headaches , your child shows physical signs when it's time to eat.

Despite sometimes significant complications, food neophobia remains a natural mechanism , a key stage in baby's development , which you, parents, will have to overcome with patience and creativity. 🤗

But rest assured, you are not alone. According to a study conducted on 432 children aged 3 to 60 months (5 years) and published in 2018 by Natalie Rigal and Virginie Soulet , child psychology researchers at the University of Paris Ouest:

57% of children between 3 and 6 months have moderate food neophobia.
90% of children between 19 and 36 months (3 years) are affected by this eating behavior, the peak intensity of which is reached between 2 and 6 years.

A period which naturally tends to calm down after the age of 3 and can present different degrees of intensity depending on the child.

In cases of mild neophobia , the child is a little reluctant to try new foods, but with repeated attempts and encouragement, he ends up accepting them without it affecting his overall diet.
Moderate neophobia results in a categorical refusal of new foods, sometimes with manifestations of stress or anxiety.
Crying, panic attacks or vomiting at the thought of tasting something for the first time indicates severe food neophobia .
Finally, neophobia can also be selective with a child who accepts certain foods (such as fruits or cereals) and refuses others (vegetables, meat, etc.).

The influence of the environment and the sociology of food

Each child's unique temperament also plays a role in their relationship with food. Hypersensitive, some are particularly vigilant when faced with textures, smells or changes in the plate. A natural shyness could also slow down the desire to explore new foods.

The family context forms the child's first taste laboratory. As parents and their first role models, you transmit your food preferences and your relationship with food to them.

Also, the general atmosphere of meals leaves a lasting imprint : an overly authoritarian approach risks creating tensions, whereas a caring, gourmet and collaborative setting encourages experimentation.

Beyond the family circle, the social environment broadens the scope of influences. At nursery and later at school , thanks to the canteen in particular, your child discovers other foods, other ways of cooking and eating them. The other children in turn take on the role of role models, sometimes even more influential than the parents themselves.

Finally, the diversification period lays the foundations of the relationship with food . Each taste discovery, each moment of sharing around a dish contributes to building the child's food memory . DME (baby-led weaning) is therefore a particularly suitable taste experience, marked by discovery and autonomy.

10 Refusal Phrases Every Parent Has Heard at the Dinner Table

“What is it?” (Read: anything that isn’t pasta.)
"It stings the eyes!" (In front of a broccoli.)
“I taste with my fingers first” (Tactile expertise above all.)
"It's not like usual" (It's the same recipe.)
“I’m too tired” (What about dessert?)
“There are things in it/pieces…” (Invisible, but impossible to swallow.)
"It's not good!" (The classic, uttered before even trying.)
“Euuuuurk!” (Short, effective, and so expressive.)
“I want the carrots alone!” or “The sauce is ON the pasta!” (This is a disaster.)
“I prefer pasta” (The ultimate argument, which comes up every day, whatever the menu.)

🤭 And yours, what is the little sentence that made you burst out laughing?

The secrets of a plate that makes you want to eat

Do you remember the last dish that made you salivate? A beautiful combination of colors, a neat presentation, a good smell and presto, the appetite awakens! For children, even difficult, even demanding, it's the same. Because the plate is eaten first with the eyes , a few presentation tricks can transform the meal into a discovery.

A varied and surprising palette of colors :
- crunchy green beans and orange carrots: the contrasts catch the eye,
- bright colors, sauces, which arouse curiosity.
A game of shapes to smile:
- vegetable stars and fruit cubes,
- sandwich triangles,
- heart shaped pancakes,
- small portions well separated on the plate.
The art of culinary staging :
- a path of peas across the plate,
- a forest of broccoli in front of a sun of puree,
- miniature portions for new foods,
- reassuring rituals, a designated place, familiar utensils...
Tips that work:
- “ bridge foods ” (like sweet potatoes to give mashed potato fans a taste),
- family cooking workshops where everyone participates on their own level and in a good mood.

The Élhée tip: when the container makes all the difference

Has your little one ever told you that he would prefer to eat like before ? Like when he was a baby? Like when his favorite bottle was for all milky meals ? If so, we have good news for you: the BibROND is multifunctional.🩷

After breastfeeding or when you no longer give the bottle, did you know that you can still use Élhée baby bottles? Remove the teat and add the lid provided to transform them into small airtight jars , perfect for transporting baby puree or your child's fruit. A simple way to take the drama out of feeding and fully reassure them.

Want another tip to try to counter your child's food neophobia? The Élhée learning cup is also worth discovering to consider going to the table like a grown-up. Leak-proof and dedicated to drinking, it is a good excuse to eat with and like mom and dad.

Support without stress: the key to peaceful meals

Every parent knows that staying calm when your child systematically rejects new foods or categorically refuses to taste what you offer them is not always easy.

So, at the next meal, take a deep breath and tell yourself that you are not alone! The good news? The more gently you accompany this period of food neophobia, the more your little one will be able to open up to new flavors.

So, during the discovery period, forget the pressure , the extra bite or the blackmail for dessert (which we have all tried 🫣). Let everyone eat at their own pace. And, as your child's first model, share with him your greed and your curiosity : mimicry will do the rest.

Finally, let time do its work, keeping in mind that food neophobia is a normal stage of taste awakening.

The small victories that change everything

Family life is marked by small joys and small victories. Celebrating them means encouraging your child, here, to continue their exploration.

“Hmm, that smells good!”, baby discovers a smell that he likes, even if he doesn’t know it.
The food presented was not immediately rejected, your child observes it (perhaps for a long time) before trying to taste it.
Not convinced, he still tried a tiny bite (I'll serve it to you whole, you taste it and finish it if you like it!)

Beyond Neophobia: Building a Positive Relationship with Food

Neophobia is therefore only a step on the path to food autonomy. Also, rather than a period to "overcome", see it as an opportunity for your child to discover and build a healthy and smooth relationship with food .

However, don't hesitate to consult your pediatrician if the difficulties persist, if you are worried about his health, or if he seems to refuse more and more foods. In the meantime, savor each change like a treat. It is by developing a good relationship with food today that your child will build the foundations for a serene and fulfilled future.

Key points to remember: