RESPONSIVE FEEDING

 

🍽️ Responsive Feeding: A Loving Way to Nourish Your Child

As parents, we often wonder—“Is my child eating enough?” or “Why are they refusing food?” The answer may lie not just in what we feed, but how we feed.
Welcome to the world of Responsive Feeding—a simple, loving approach that helps children develop a healthy relationship with food.

🌟 What is Responsive Feeding?

Responsive feeding is the practice of feeding your child based on their hunger and fullness cues, with patience, encouragement, and without force.
It respects the child’s appetite, preferences, and pace—making mealtimes positive and stress-free.

👶 Why Is Responsive Feeding Important?

✅ Builds Trust – Your child learns to trust their own hunger and fullness.
✅ Prevents Overeating or Undereating – Children eat the right amount for their body.
✅ Encourages Independence – They become confident and curious eaters.
✅ Reduces Mealtime Battles – Fewer tears, less force-feeding!

🍴 Key Principles of Responsive Feeding

1. Recognize Cues

  • Hunger signs: looking at food, making sucking motions, being alert.

  • Fullness signs: turning head away, closing mouth, pushing food away.

2. Feed with Patience and Attention

  • Sit with your child during meals.

  • Avoid distractions like TV or phones.

  • Respond with smiles, eye contact, and gentle encouragement.

3. Allow Self-Feeding When Ready

  • Let toddlers try to eat with their hands or spoon.

  • Mess is part of learning!

4. Respect Refusal

  • If your child refuses a bite, don’t force.

  • Offer food again after some time. It often takes 8–10 tries before a child accepts a new food.

5. Keep a Routine

  • Offer meals and snacks at regular times.

  • Children thrive on routine and predictability.

❌ Avoid These Common Mistakes:

  • Forcing the child to eat "just one more bite"

  • Bribing with sweets or gadgets

  • Comparing them to other children

  • Feeding while playing videos or cartoons

❤️ As paediatrician, We Believe:

"Healthy eating is not just about food, but about love, respect, and connection at the dining table."



                                                                                                                  -DR.VIGNESH.N 

                                                                                                                    PAEDIATRICIAN 

                                                                                                                     THE NILGIRIS.

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