Faddy Eating in Young Children

Many young children go through phases of refusing to eat certain foods or at times refusing to eat anything at all. Refusing food is often a way of showing independence and a part of growing up. This can sometimes be frustrating for parents and carers.

The good news is that most children grow out of fussy eating and eventually learn to eat a variety of foods.

If your child is growing well and developing normally then try not to worry too much about their eating behaviour.

Our advice sheet has lots of practical suggestions for things you can do to ensure that your child has a balanced diet, enjoys food and contributes to a happy family mealtime. 

• Faddy Eating in Young Children Advice Sheet (English)
• Faddy Eating in Young Children Advice Sheet (Welsh)
• Faddy Eating in Young Children Advice Sheet (Bengali)
• Faddy Eating in Young Children Advice Sheet (Arabic)

Setting good eating patterns at this stage will stand your child in good stead for the rest of their life.

Occasionally, there may be medical reasons why your child may not eat.

The most common reasons are:

•  Constipation
•  Anaemia
•  Reflux

If you suspect you child is suffering from any of these, or are concerned about your child’s nutrition or weight please seek medical advice from your health visitor or doctor.