A healthy framework to pass down to our kids is intuitive eating, or eating in sync with our internal cues on hunger and fullness. Sounds easy, right? Actually, it’s common to struggle with this, especially when introducing solid foods. It’s a new chapter, and you might worry about how much baby is eating, which easily leads to piling on the pressure. Pressure to eat overrides baby’s attempts to listen to their own body.
Added pressure might sound like:
Take two more bites, and then you can…
Finish your plate. We don’t want to waste this…
You can get a muffin for dessert, but first, you have to finish your peas
Another serving, really?
*not saying anything, but abruptly putting spoonfuls of food directly into baby’s mouth*
Are babies capable of regulating their intake?
Yes! Even when your baby was exclusively on breastmilk or formula, you were advised to honor their hunger and full cues (unless special medical considerations were advised with your pediatrician). Your baby communicated when they wanted milk, drank what they needed, and communicated when they were done.
Your baby can also show you when they are hungry or full with solid foods. Your job is to offer, but their job is to eat.
Why this matters
Pressuring a baby to finish their plate can have several adverse effects on their relationship with food:
It disrupts their ability to recognize and respond to their internal hunger and fullness cues.
It may create negative associations with mealtimes and food, potentially leading to emotional or behavioral issues related to eating.
It undermines their autonomy in making food choices, hindering the development of their future relationship with food.
Here are some positive “do’s” to keep in mind
Be responsive to your baby's hunger and fullness cues.
Introduce a diverse range of nutritious foods, allowing your baby to explore different tastes and textures at their own pace.
Make mealtimes enjoyable by fostering a positive atmosphere around the table rooted in quality family time. Avoid hyper-focusing on the food itself.
Embracing intuitive eating can feel hard at first, but getting curious about it can set the foundation for a positive relationship with food now and in the future.