New foods are part of growing up, but it can be difficult to convince toddlers to try something new. If your grandchild is a fussy eater you can: Model good behaviour by eating a wide variety of balanced meals Don’t be put off if a toddler rejects food – you may need to offer an individual food up to 10 times before a young child will choose to eat it Introduce new foods and textures as early as possible Allow toddlers to explore their foods and feed themselves Offer alternative foods from within the same food group (e.g. substitute cheese for yoghurt) Present food attractively Eat as a family and make mealtimes an enjoyable event Stay calm about fussy eating in toddlers Avoid bribing children with treats, lollies, biscuits, milk or dessert Remember that toddlers grow slower than babies. Toddlers aged 2-3 typically only need to eat about 2,100-2,400kJ per day. If your grandchild appears to be fussy only some of the time, they might not be hungry. Try to reduce snacking and then allow your grandchild to eat as much as they want at mealtimes. Consult your GP if you are concerned about how much your grandchild is eating.