Do you think that feeding during the child's first year was easier than it is/was when the child got a little older? Suddenly, your picky eater may refuse to eat or taste new foods. Don't worry, you're not alone. Many children go through a neophobic phase in life, a natural part of their development where they become more "picky" about food.
Elin Oresten, licensed nutritionist and founder, goes through the reasons behind this and gives tips on how you can help your child explore and appreciate new foods.
Neophobia in children: A natural part of development and the role of the cave brain
This phase is often linked to children becoming more independent around a certain age. Our cave brain protects children from danger by making them suspicious of unfamiliar foods. Something that helped us thousands of years ago when children could walk freely in nature and then encounter dangerous foods, then suspicion of the new was very good. In today's society, this natural suspicion is not quite as important or convenient.
"The cave brain protects children from danger by making them suspicious of unfamiliar foods."
Dealing with a picky child: Tips for navigating through the neophobic phase
When children enter the neophobic phase, it can be more difficult to introduce new foods. Even previously liked foods can unfortunately end up on the “dislike list.” Here it is easy to end up in a vicious spiral where you start to exclude foods and make special foods for the child.
It is not impossible for a child to learn to appreciate new foods and flavors - it just takes more tasting opportunities. So give it time. Think long-term so that the child does not get used to a one-sided diet
Here's how you can help your child:
- Continue to offer new foods regularly, even if the child refuses at first.
- Be patient and allow time for your child to get used to new tastes.
- Avoid excluding foods from your child's diet, even if they are not initially accepted.
- Let all kinds of food continue to be on the plate, alongside the safe and popular.
- Make meals a positive experience without pressure or compulsion to taste everything.
- Be a good example by eating a varied diet yourself and showing appreciation for different foods.
- Involve your child in cooking to increase their interest in different ingredients and dishes.
- Serve small portions of new foods to avoid overwhelming the child.
- Give your child time and several tasting opportunities to get used to new foods.

Finger foods and BLW: A way to ease the transition through the neophobic phase
The appearance of food is an important factor for a child in the neophobic phase. If the child recognizes the appearance of the food, it can make the child more inclined to taste it. If the child has initially eaten the family's food (through finger food/BLW), there will not be a sharp transition from classic baby food to family food. A transition that can otherwise become even more difficult as the neophobia approaches.

Seek help if you need it.
“Normal” neophobia is different from the definition of being very picky about food (picky).Very picky children are usually described as children who consume an insufficient variety of foods by avoiding a significant amount of foods. Both familiar and unfamiliar to them. If you have a child where you suspect nutritional deficiency due to this, it is always best to seek help.
*Food neophobia is usually defined in the scientific world as an unwillingness to eat and taste new foods. Often peaking around the ages of 2 and 5.