😩👀 Feeding Anxiety, Food Refusal and Feeding Aversion in Babies

How to Rebuild Trust at Mealtimes — Expert Strategies from Dr. Annie

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Feeding your baby should be a joyful experience, but for many parents, it becomes a stressful daily struggle. Babies refusing to eat, turning their heads away, crying at mealtimes, or needing to be distracted with screens can point to something deeper: feeding aversion and feeding anxiety.

At Dr. Annie Baby Nutrition, we meet hundreds of mothers who feel discouraged, judged, or even guilty because their baby isn’t eating “enough.” But Dr. Annie, Ghana’s trusted expert in infant and toddler nutrition, reassures moms:

"Feeding is not just physical — it’s emotional. A baby needs to feel safe, respected, and connected to enjoy food. Our job is to restore that trust with love, rhythm, and strategy."

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🧠 What Is Feeding Aversion?

Feeding aversion occurs when a baby develops a negative emotional response to eating — even if they're hungry. This can look like:

• Crying at the sight of food or the spoon

• Turning away or refusing to open the mouth

• Screaming when placed in the feeding chair

• Only feeding when sleepy or distracted

• Preferring bottle/milk but rejecting solids

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😟 What Causes Feeding Anxiety and Aversion?

Dr. Annie identifies four major triggers:

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1. 🧪 Negative Feeding Experiences

• Force-feeding, punishment, or bribing

• Pain during feeding (e.g., from reflux, teething, allergies)

• Choking or gagging episodes

• Overfeeding that leads to discomfort

"When a baby learns that feeding equals stress, fear, or pain, their little brain says 'No thank you' — even before the food appears." — Dr. Annie

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2. 🧍🏽♀️ Parental Anxiety or High Pressure

• Constant worrying over how much baby eats

• Comparing baby’s intake to charts or other kids

• Pleading, bargaining, or chasing baby to eat

• Emotional tension at the table

Children absorb energy. If mealtimes are filled with tension, they may associate food with emotional discomfort, not nourishment.

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3. 📆 Unstructured or Erratic Feeding Patterns

• Inconsistent mealtimes or random snacking

• Overfeeding milk throughout the day

• Distracted feeding (TV, phones, walking around)

Without a routine, babies lose connection to their natural hunger and fullness cues.

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4. 🥄 Lack of Autonomy and Engagement

• Not allowing baby to self-feed or explore food

• Serving large portions that overwhelm

• Using dull presentation or bland meals repeatedly

Babies love to be in control and involved. Without this, they may become resistant.

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🧑🏽⚕️ Dr. Annie’s Gentle Approach: Rebuilding Trust at Mealtimes

"Feeding should be a dance — not a battle. You lead with love, and the baby learns to follow safely." – Dr. Annie

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💡 Step-by-Step Trust-Building Strategies

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✅ 1. Remove Pressure Completely

• Stop counting bites or obsessing over quantity

• If baby turns away, don’t push the spoon again — pause and smile

• End the meal calmly after 20–30 minutes, regardless of how much was eaten

• No punishments, bribes, or threats — ever

“No means no. Babies are allowed to say it — just like adults.”

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✅ 2. Follow a Predictable Routine

Structure is soothing for babies. Create a daily feeding rhythm:

• Feed every 3–4 hours

• Serve 3 meals + 2 snacks (from 9 months onward)

• Keep milk and food spaced apart

• Offer meals in the same place, in a calm environment

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✅ 3. Imitate and Model Eating Behavior

Babies learn by watching. Dr. Annie recommends:

• Eat the same food at the same time

• Exaggerate joy and satisfaction as you eat

• Show chewing, drinking, swallowing

• Say things like, “Mmm, I love kontomire. Want to try?”

Even if they don’t eat right away, observation builds familiarity.

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✅ 4. Use Playfulness and Positivity

Turn mealtimes into moments of connection:

• Use colourful plates, baby-sized cutlery, and fun bowls

• Play gentle music or sing while feeding

• Make faces with mashed yam or arrange fruit in shapes

• Laugh, clap, and affirm effort — not just eating

“A child who enjoys the experience will come back for the food.” — Dr. Annie

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✅ 5. Serve in Small Portions — and Let Baby Lead

Avoid overwhelming your baby with full plates. Instead:

• Start with 2–3 spoonfuls or small pieces

• Let baby ask (verbally or non-verbally) for more

• Offer a mix of foods: something familiar + something new

• If baby asks for a preferred food (e.g., banana), include it alongside others

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✅ 6. Let Baby Explore the Food

Even if they don’t eat it, touching, smelling, and playing with food is part of learning:

• Allow finger feeding

• Expect messiness — it’s part of the process

• Encourage tasting without expectation

Dr. Annie says: “Curiosity comes before courage. Let them touch the unknown before they trust it in their mouth.”

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✅ 7. Use Nutrient-Dense, Appealing Foods

Even if baby takes only a little, you can ensure high nutrition:

• Add Dr. Annie Chicken, Fish, or Beef Powder to stews, soups, and porridges

• Use Dr. Annie Date Syrup to gently sweeten oats or millet

• Offer Dr. Annie Fortified Cereals with banana or pear for smooth transitions

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📊 Example of a Baby-Friendly Day (12–18 Months)