Episode 3: Fussy Eating

Fussy eating: what's normal, what isn't, and why pressure backfires. Fussy eating is one of the most common reasons parents lose sleep over food, and one of the most misunderstood, with an endless swaith of information online promising hacks to get children to eat.  As a topic close to Lucy’s heart, and clinical practice, this week Nick and Lucy take it apart. The child who ate everything at 10 months and now lives on beige. The plate pushed away before it's even tasted. The bribes, the negotiations, the dinner that ends in tears (theirs or yours). For many families, this can be an exhausting but normal stage of development. For some, it's a sign that something else needs looking at.In this episode, hosts Dr Nick Makwana, Consultant Paediatrician and Lucy Upton, Specialist Paediatric Dietitian and Feeding Therapist discuss:- Why fussy eating happens, and why so many toddlers suddenly refuse foods they used to love- What's developmentally normal, and the signs that it might be more than a phase- Why pressure, praise and "just one more bite" often make things worse- How repeated, low-pressure exposure works, and why it takes longer than most parents expect- The medical side: growth, constipation, reflux, iron and the other things worth ruling out- Accepted foods, and why they belong on the plate- When and where to get help, including when it may be more than Fussy Eating- What we'd say to a parent who's dreading the next mealtimeAlso available to listen on Apple Podcasts and Youtube.This episode provides general information and is not medical advice about your individual child. If you're worried about your child's growth, weight, or eating, speak to your GP, health visitor or dietitian.