Neophobia or fear of the new is very common in children.
This phobia is one of the most common in children, especially in food. Many dads struggle to get them to try new things. This fear of the unknown also occurs in adults, in children it occurs constantly.
One of the theories about what causes neophobia is that in the past humans had to try to incorporate new plants into their diet, but distrusting those that were not familiar to them because many could contain toxins, which could cause stomach upset and in children, the death. Therefore, scientists have also studied how to combat it and have some advice.
Play with food
The texture of food can cause rejection by a child. Sticky, crunchy, spongy or lumpy foods can be a problem, according to a study at the University of Maastricht, in the Netherlands, and they found that letting the little ones play with their food using their hands increases the chances that they will later accept eating it. willingly.
Who do they eat with
The little ones find satisfaction not only in the taste of food but also in company and social interactions. Eating with others gives them the opportunity to observe the gestures and expressions of others and with that, food is associated as social interaction and related as a pleasure.
Imitation
In a 1980 study, infant feeding expert Leann L. Birch conducted tests in which a child with a preference for vegetable A sat down to eat with children who, instead, liked vegetable B and when asked to choose A or B, those who preferred vegetable A increased their predilection for vegetable B, the one consumed by the others.
An investigation by the National Academy of Sciences of the United States concluded that children begin at 14 months to learn about food by observing others.
Avoid these mistakes
After analyzing many parents and children, they found many mistakes that we make, such as distracting them while they are fed, like putting them in front of the TV, trying to convince them with rewards or punishments, or using physical force by putting the spoon in their mouths.
It is best to be patient and expose the child to a new food over and over again. According to some studies, getting it accepted can take between five and 15 repetitions.