Handling picky eaters

Appetite naturally shrinks between 12 and 18 months as growth slows. Picky-eater behavior often appears here — this is developmental, not a permanent shift. Fighting it usually makes it worse. Offer refused foods again — repeatedly, calmly, without commentary. Research shows it can take 10+ exposures for a toddler to accept a new food. Include one familiar "safe" food at every meal so there's always something they'll eat. Skip the short-order kitchen. Your job is offering nutritious food on a predictable schedule; theirs is deciding what and how much to eat. This division of responsibility prevents years of mealtime battles. Trust their appetite over their behavior — it will vary hugely day to day, and that's normal.