Picky Eating

Breast milk is best for your baby

Breast milk is best for babies. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Health Promotion Board (HPB) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. At around six months of age (but not before 4 months), infants should receive nutritionally adequate and age-appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.

Abbott Singapore fully recognises breast milk’s primacy, value and superiority and supports exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by the WHO.

The content on this website is intended as general information for Singaporean residents only and should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice from your healthcare practitioner. The HPB recommends that infants start on age-appropriate complementary foods at around 6 months, whilst continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years or beyond to meet their evolving nutritional requirements. If no longer breastfeeding, toddlers can switch to full cream milk after 12 months. This should be complemented by a good variety of solid foods from the four main food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and alternatives). For more information on the nutritional requirements of infants and young children, please visit www.healthhub.sg/earlynutrition.

Picky eating may be negatively associated with growth

Children who are picky eaters have been found to be lighter and shorter for their age, compared to non-picky eaters.¹

Picky eating may lead to nutrient deficiencies or inappropriate balance of nutrients in the diet of a child. Some children may consume adequate calories, but the diet may be insufficient in vital nutrients. Over time, this may impact growth and development.

The Consequences

Picky eaters could be missing out on key nutrients essential for optimal physical and mental development. This may result in the following undesirable consequences:

Missed growth
milestones

Prone to illness

Lower cognitive
development

Strained parent-
child relationship

Is your child a picky eater?

A study by the National University Hospital of Singapore found that 1 in 2 parents in Singapore identified their children as picky eaters, and picky eating was first noticed as early as one year old.* Below is a list of picky eating behaviours to look out for:

Refuses food, especially vegetables and meat
Eats slowly or hold food in the mouth
Pushes, hides or throws food during mealtime
Eats sweets and fatty foods instead of healthy foods
Resists trying new foods
Snacks instead of eating a meal
Eats the same food for all the meals
Often throws tantrums during mealtimes

¹ Xue Y et al. Appetite.2015;91:248-255.
^* Goh DY, Jacob A. Asia Pac Fam Med.2012;11:5

Tips for dealing with picky eaters

Avoid distractions during mealtimes

Tolerate age-appropriate messiness during mealtimes

Maintain a neutral attitude during mealtimes

Do not get overly excited or animated.
Never become or even appear angry.

Introduce novel food

Expose your child to new food one at a time.Try the new food up to 15 times before assuming it will not be taken.

Feed to encourage appetite

Allow 3-4 hour interval and provide only water between meals/snacks.
Limit meal duration to 20-30 minutes.

Talk to a healthcare professional

If picky eating persists, ask your doctor for advice and check if there are any underlying problems.

Encourage independent feeding

Your child should have his/ her own cutlery and be encouraged to feed himself/ herself.

For more tips and resources for dealing with picky eating,visit: www.pickyeating.com.sg

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