Why Your Toddler Refuses to Try New Foods (And How to Help)
Introduction
Watching your toddler refuse new foods can be stressful and exhausting. From refusing vegetables to only eating bread, cheese, or pasta, many parents struggle with picky eating.
In this guide, we’ll explain why toddlers are often hesitant to try new foods, provide practical strategies you can use today, and highlight when professional support can make a difference.
For more information, check out my blog on helping your picky toddler to eat more foods.
Why Toddlers Refuse New Foods
1. Developmental Stage
Between 12–24 months, toddlers naturally go through a phase called neophobia, where they are wary of unfamiliar foods. This is a normal part of development.
2. Sensory Sensitivities
Toddlers experience taste, texture, and smell more intensely. Foods with new textures or strong flavors may be rejected.
3. Oral Motor Skills
Chewing and swallowing more complex foods require practice. Some toddlers haven’t fully developed these skills yet, so they stick to familiar textures.
4. Learned Behaviour and Preferences
Toddlers learn quickly what they like. If a food is repeatedly rejected, they may form a habit of avoiding it altogether.
5. Emotional Factors and Power Struggles
Mealtime stress can reinforce picky eating. Toddlers may refuse foods as a way to exert control, especially if mealtimes become tense.
Practical Strategies to Encourage Trying New Foods
1. Gradual Exposure
Introduce new foods slowly alongside familiar favorites. Even one small bite counts.
2. Make It Playful
Let your toddler explore food with their hands, make shapes, or smell and touch new foods before tasting.
3. Pairing Foods
Serve a new food with a preferred item. For example, a small piece of vegetable alongside mashed potato.
4. Encourage Self-Feeding
Finger foods build confidence and oral motor skills. Soft vegetables, small fruit pieces, or toast strips work well.
5. Positive Reinforcement
Celebrate small successes rather than forcing bites. Avoid pressure; gentle encouragement works best.
When to Seek Professional Help
Consider speaking to a paediatric feeding specialist if your toddler:
Refuses almost all new foods for months
Shows persistent gagging or choking
Appears underweight or has nutritional deficiencies
Experiences high mealtime stress
Professional guidance can help expand diets safely, improve oral motor skills, and reduce family stress.
If mealtimes feel stressful and your toddler refuses new foods, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Get in touch today to find out how I can support you, or book a consultation
FAQ Section
Q: Is it normal for a toddler to refuse new foods?
A: Yes. Many toddlers go through fussy eating phases. Gentle, consistent exposure helps them try new foods over time.
Q: How can I get my toddler to eat vegetables?
A: Introduce vegetables gradually, pair them with familiar favorites, offer finger-food versions, and use playful exposure without pressure.
Q: When should I see a feeding therapist?
A: If picky eating is persistent, affects nutrition, or causes mealtime stress, professional support can make a big difference.
Q: How long does fussy eating last?
A: Every child is different. With consistent strategies, most toddlers become more willing to try new foods over months, not weeks.