Feeding your toddler- the 'division of responsibility'

One of the most common concerns that parents have with their children's eating is that they're 'fussy'. They might refuse food, not want to sit down for meal times or only want certain foods served to them. As a dietitian and a parent, I always refers to the Ellyn Satter method of 'division of responsibility' as a first step. This is considered internationally as the gold standard for feeding children.

It's simple really.

It's the parent's job to decide WHAT, WHEN and WHERE your children eat. You create the environment, the choices on offer and the routine so that they are hungry at meal times.

It' your child's job to decide HOW MUCH and IF THEY EAT. 

Trust your child to eat how much he/she needs. 

It is completely normal for children to eat different amounts of food on different days. And it's also completely normal for your child to love a food on Monday, and reject it on Tuesday. Remember, they're learning, exploring and testing boundaries. It's all part of their development and it's completely normal and healthy.

For more info about the division of responsibility, visit https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/the-division-of-responsibility-in-feeding/

If you've got any questions, get in touch with her at info@rosalyndangelo.com