As a parent, the nutritional needs of your baby or toddler are obviously a priority, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of differing information out there. The food a child eats in their early years can influence their dietary habits later in life, so it’s important to instill good habits and a healthy relationship with food from an early age. But lots of times parents come up against lots of challenges when it comes to getting their children to eat healthy. It is important for parents to make small changes rather than big changes and remember to be patient! Positive encouragement is key! Telling the child that they are doing great and getting so big and strong will encourage the child. Avoid any negativity when it comes to feeding time. Try not to overwhelm children too much or pressure them into eating food.  This will give them a negative outlook on food. Here are some tips that might help: Avoid children grazing and drinking juices thro...

Never leave your baby unattended while eating in case he or she chokes. Don't serve foods that could present a choking hazard, such as whole grapes, raw vegetables, hard fruits, raisins, white bread, pieces of hard cheese, hot dogs, popcorn, and hard candies. If you're unsure about whether a finger food is safe, ask yourself: Does it melt in the mouth? Some dry cereals will melt in the mouth, and so will light and flaky crackers. Is it cooked enough so that it mashes easily? Well-cooked vegetables and fruits will mash easily. So will canned fruits and vegetables. (Make sure to choose canned foods that don't have added sugar or salt). Is it naturally soft? Cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and small pieces of tofu are soft. Can it be gummed? Pieces of ripe banana and well-cooked pasta can be gummed. Making Meals Work Keep your baby's personality in mind when introducing new foods. If your baby balks at new textures, serve them in small portions...