Fussy Eating

Fussy eating is a common parental complaint, particularly during the toddler and preschool years. While most parents understand the importance of healthy eating during childhood and want their children to eat a variety of different foods, many children will go through a phase of fussy eating. Let’s explore what fussy eating might look like, why it happens, what to do about it and when you might need to seek extra help.

What is fussy eating?

Fussy eating, sometimes referred to as ‘faddy eating’ or ‘picky eating’, can develop when children have strong food preferences. Children who are picky eaters will often refuse to try new foods, actively avoid certain foods or be inconsistent with what they will eat. These food preferences can range from a mild, short-lived phase to something much more restrictive and long-lasting. It is typically a distressing and frustrating experience for parents and caregivers who want children to have healthy eating habits.

Why does it happen?

There are various reasons children may begin to restrict what they eat. First of all, there is a strong genetic component involved as specific genes, such as the TASR38 gene, govern taste and affect how flavour receptors determine how strongly certain tastes, such as bitterness, are experienced. (Calancie et al 2018). 

In addition to  genetics, our evolutionary past also plays a role in fussy eating. For example, our caveman ancestors were more likely to survive than other species because they ate a wide variety of foods and were not solely dependent on just a few resources. However, utilising many different types of plants for food sources could also pose a significant risk as some plants proved to be poisonous to humans. Some scientists believe that the need to determine the safety of different plants could be partly responsible for the biological development of fussy eating. In fact, it has been suggested that this is the reason fussy eating tends to emerge in children between the ages of 1.5 and 4 years old, as  during this time, our ancestors’ children would have become less reliant on breastmilk for nutrition, and would have spent more time with older children of the group as opposed to their mothers. Without constant adult supervision, the risk of poisoning from eating dangerous plants would have been significantly higher, so the emergence of caution towards unknown foods around this age could have helped to keep our ancestors’ young children safe.

In addition, the toddler and preschool years are characterised by a change in behaviours including experimentation with boundaries, the development of independence and a newfound interest in exploring the concept of control. Oftentimes, young children can find mealtimes to be an ideal arena to explore these new concepts and behaviours.  Furthermore, fussy eating is more likely to develop where parents or caregivers make food a battleground for control by bribing, rewarding or even punishing children for eating certain foods.

Talking to parents about fussy eating

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Parents are typically aware of the importance of laying foundations for healthy eating in early childhood, which can cause them to experience worry, distress, frustration or guilt when their children’s eating habits don’t live up to their expectations. It’s also normal for parents to worry that their child is not getting enough to eat or that they may be eating too much of the wrong thing. Many parents feel that a child’s eating habits are a direct reflection on their parenting abilities, so it’s important to recognise these potential concerns when talking to parents about their child’s eating.

Parents may approach the Nanny about their child’s eating habits to discuss any observations or concerns they may have. In these instances, caregivers should remember to use their words carefully and encourage parents to be patient and understanding about the causes of fussy eating, while also reassuring them that this common phase usually passes with time.

For parents who worry that their child may not be getting enough food or nutrients, Nannies can take note of what the child eats over the course of the day or week. Many times, seeing the bigger picture can reassure parents who may be hyper focused on a single skipped meal or an unhealthy snack choice. Nannies can also take this opportunity to remind parents that as long as the child’s paediatrician is not concerned with the child’s growth or development, and the child has enough energy to play, they are likely eating enough.

Lastly, Nannies should remember to keep conversations with parents relaxed and calm as parents may already be concerned, and it is important to provide reassurance before offering suggestions.

Strategies for dealing with fussy eating

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The most important thing to remember when dealing with fussy eating is that caregivers should not introduce additional pressure or stress surrounding food. If fussy eating is caused by a natural, biological resistance or an unresolved sensory issue, caregivers should remain patient and calm.  In these instances, caregivers need to remember that many children will grow out of this behaviour as they age.  Additionally, if fussy eating is a result of a child’s desire to push boundaries, then elevating stress levels around food would likely cause them to push the boundaries even further!

One strategy that often helps children who are going through a fussy eating phase is for caregivers to involve  them in food preparation.  By allowing children to  mix ingredients, set the table and serve their own portions, they can develop a sense of pride, accomplishment and control around the food they eat. 

Caregivers should also remember that children often need to try foods more than once before they develop an interest in it.  Caregivers can reintroduce foods at regular intervals as children’s tastes tend to change over time.  as they get older. In fact, an individual’s tastes  can even continue to change and develop well into adulthood. 

When trying to tackle fussy eating, being a good role model and having fair expectations of children is very important. Caregivers should eat with children wherever possible and use the opportunity to talk to them about the foods being eaten. Caregivers should be honest with children if they don’t like a specific food and can demonstrate that it’s okay not to like a certain food as long as they try it and continue to eat other food options. Children who have been fussy eaters for a longer period of time may have developed negative associations with mealtimes, so caregivers may have to actively work to change the children’s mindset. When caregivers share their mealtime with children, eating together can help to make mealtimes a positive experience as it offers the opportunity to talk about other subjects, play games and allows mealtime to be a fun, relaxing activity.  Caregivers can also use this time to set good examples by revisiting foods they previously haven’t enjoyed and discussing their changing tastes with the children in their care.  Essentially, the goal is for caregivers to turn mealtime into a nice, stress free experience.  

For example, if you know a child doesn’t like lasagne but continues to serve just lasagne for dinner then even if you don’t pressure by punishing or bribing this is actually a lot of pressure. If however, the child likes garlic bread, chips, and cucumber and you offer a small portion of lasagne, alongside garlic bread, chips and cucumber the child can see that they are not going to starve and may feel more comfortable giving the previously disliked lasagne another try.

When to seek extra help

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Usually, children will eat when they are hungry and won’t let themselves starve but for a small number of children, this fussy eating could become a problem.  Sometimes, fussy eating can be a sign that a problem exists and caregivers may need to seek professional help.  For example,  one of the signs that could prompt caregivers to seek extra help would be if a child continues to limit the types of foods they eat until there are few food options left. Other times, caregivers may notice that  a child begins to lose weight or become lethargic, which should prompt caregivers to follow-up with a healthcare professional. 

Caregivers should also seek assistance if they notice a big change in the child’s dietary routine such as if they refuse to eat for a few consecutive days. Alternatively, if caregivers notice that a child has become hyper-aware of the differences within food, such as noticing and refusing to eat a different brand or recipe of tomato pasta sauce or if they exhibit an extreme emotional reaction to a new or different food, caregivers may need to consider speaking to a professional.  

In summary, the vast majority of children will go through a fussy eating phase during their childhood but with patience and understanding from their parents and caregivers they will grow to develop a healthy relationship with food. When caregivers maintain a positive attitude, allow mealtimes to be a fun, relaxed and stress free environment and continue to offer a variety of foods at regular intervals, children can overcome their fussy eating and develop healthy eating habits. 

Do you think teaching children to eat healthy is important? You can learn more about living a healthy lifestyle at the International Nanny Institute. Our OCN-London approved course, Healthy Living, discusses how to make positive lifestyle choices for yourself, the families you work with, and the children in your care. The role of a nanny can be demanding, so taking the time to consider your health and the health of your charges is vitally important for effective, nurturing childcare.

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The Role of a Nanny: Communication

Positive Communication Between Nannies and Nanny Parents

Relationships between Nannies and Nanny parents can be difficult to navigate with a host of potential issues to overcome. Most of these issues can be prevented or resolved by using clear and effective, positive communication. In fact, positive communication is one of the most important tools a Nanny can have.

Why work in partnership

A Nanny and Nanny parents need to work in partnership for the good of the children involved. When caregivers and parents work together towards similar aims, outcomes and day-to-day experiences are better for everyone; the children, the parents and the nanny. Working in partnership helps provide consistency for children, which makes them feel safe and secure and in turn helps them to learn and develop.  It is crucial for caregivers and parents to develop solid and secure partnerships when working together to care for young children. 

Vestibular play

How communication supports working in partnership

Good communication allows both parties to set and maintain clear expectations for their relationship. When it comes to nannying, communicating clear expectations helps both the nanny and the parents to build trust in one another, feel comfortable and ultimately helps to ensure that care provided to the children remains consistent.

Nobody knows a child better than their parents and parents are their children’s first educators, so in order for children to thrive, nannies will need to draw on this knowledge. In addition, nannies are professionals who are often trained in child care child development, so in many circumstances parents will often need to draw on nannies’ knowledge and experience too. This partnership works best where there is a two-way flow of information and mutual respect.

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Daily communication

On a day to day basis there is actually quite a lot for Nannies and Nanny parents to communicate about. Some nannies will be working alongside parents, whilst others will have a handover, or a period of transition from parental care to nanny care, to help make the transition easier for the children.

A good handover requires clear communication from both sides. Nannies can ask questions to gather the information they need for example, “Did he sleep well? “What time did he wake this morning?” or “What did she have for breakfast?” They can also use this time to begin setting expectations for the day. If a parent is heading off to work, it may help them to know what their little one will be doing during the day. For example, a nanny may say “we’ve planned a picnic in the park at lunchtime” or “we’re going to have a playdate with his friend Martha this morning” so that when the parents are at work they have a concrete idea of what the activities their children are engaging in.

Some nannies use daily diaries to communicate the basics, which often include what types and how much food has been eaten, what time and how low the children have napped or when the baby’s nappy has been changed, whilst other nannies and caregivers are happy to relay this information in person. Different methods will work for different families and different nannies, it’s important to find what works best for your own situation.

Apps and texting can also be ideal methods of communication, allowing the nanny to send quick photo updates throughout the day.  but you should only have more important conversations face to face as apps and texting mean that things like gesture, body language, facial expression and tone of voice are missing so meaning can get muddled.

Difficult communication

There will be times as a nanny that you need to have a more difficult conversation with parents and throughout the relationship, positive communication will be vital. For example, it might be that the child has displayed some difficult behavior, injured themselves or you may have concerns about their development that you need to raise. These kinds of conversations should always take place face to face in the absence of the children. In these types of situations, when nannies and parents need to communicate about more difficult topics, a nanny should try and select a time where the parent is not rushed and is able to listen without distractions. If the situation warrants it, it may be worth arranging a meeting time in advance.

Nannies should always try to ensure that a conversation doesn’t become a list of complaints. This is not to say that you should sugar coat information, but it’s important to recognise positive qualities the child exhibits as well. If you have had a day of difficult behavior, then you should be truthful about that, but there is often good alongside bad behavior so try to acknowledge this during the conversation.

Where you have developmental concerns about a child, remember that a parent will find this difficult to hear and take care to approach this sensitively. Nannies should never attempt to make any kind of diagnosis themselves as they are not medical professionals. Instead, tell the parent what you have observed or experienced, why this concerns you, and what you’d like to do going forward. For example, you may feel that a child has delayed speech so you might tell the parent that you can see they understand the majority of what you say, but they aren’t really trying to form words and they don’t have as much expressive language as you would expect for their age.  You might also state that this could be concerning as speech is a key area of learning, and gently suggest that the parents mention it during the child’s next visit to their pediatrician.

When discussing an accident or incident, nannies should report these occurrences shortly after they happen as opposed to waiting until the parent arrives home. This gives parents the opportunity to express if they would like you to get medical attention, but also can be useful to mentally prepare them for a black eye or visible bumped head when they arrive home.

Positive communication between nannies and nanny parents is the key to a successful working relationship and to achieving better outcomes for children. You can learn more about this vital skill at the International Nanny Institute. Our OCN-London approved course, Working as a Nanny, helps students understand what will be expected of a professional nanny. This includes the kinds of tasks you can expect to fulfill, and explain the types of responsibilities you’ll be taking on. We also offer tips on securing employment and developing a positive, healthy relationship with your next family.  

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Different Types of Nannies

When looking for a nanny, each family has different needs and each nanny fulfils a slightly different role.

Families have varied characteristics, such as the number of children, ages of the children, dietary restrictions, hobbies and activities, parenting styles and boundaries, as well as any special needs.

In all cases, quality childcare is always a top priority for both a family and a nanny because children must be in a safe environment at all times.

Below we describe some of the different types of nannies families hire to meet their requirements: 

Nanny

The nanny helps to develop the children’s potential through educational games, play and entertainment.

A nanny is someone who is fully invested in a child’s development and well-being. They are typically a daily fixture and are very involved in the children’s everyday lives.

It’s a nanny’s responsibility to create daily schedules and engage in activities to ensure the healthy mental, physical, and emotional growth of the children they care for.

A nanny will be responsible for a variety of tasks relating to the children, including but not limited to choosing the clothing, dressing, bathing and washing, preparing healthy and nutritious meals, scheduling play dates, organising age-related outings and general supervision at all times to ensure the children are safe.

The nanny also helps to develop the children’s potential through educational games, play and entertainment.

Rota Nanny

Rota nannies are usually required to work 24/7 when on duty on a rota system. For example, 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off.

Rota nannies might have different work hours depending on the family’s needs, but it is most likely to be 24/7 and the rota can extend between 1 week and 4 weeks. Rota nannies usually start after having previous experience as live-in nannies 

Live-In and a Live-Out Nanny

Being a live-in nanny does not mean working longer hours or days than the law allows.

Live-in nannies are those who live with the family in their home for part of the week or can live with the family full time.

Live-out nannies are those who commute to work each day and, after finishing their duties, return home each night. The family must provide a suitable room and usually full board to a live-in.

Being a live-in nanny does not mean working longer hours or days than the law allows. This is, sometimes, a misunderstanding.

Nanny-Guard

A nanny-guard is an individual with training and experience in security.

A nanny guard is a nanny with added security training and skill to protect a child from acts of harm that may be intentional or unintentional.

They undergo rigorous training and testing to be able to act in certain situations.

Nanny-Housekeeper

A nanny’s duties can include light housekeeping relating to children.

A nanny-housekeeper covers both housekeeping chores and nanny duties. The housekeeping chores are done whilst the children are in the nursery or school.

However, the most important aspect of this position is to ensure the children’s well-being and safety at all times.

A nanny-housekeeper usually works with school-aged children and can work live in or live out.

Whereas a nanny’s duties can include light housekeeping relating to children, a nanny-housekeeper goes beyond the mere children’s duties and does all the housekeeping chores. 

Holiday/Travelling Nanny

Some families tend to travel a lot and require an experienced full-time nanny to accompany them and carry out nanny tasks when travelling.

A travelling nanny is required to travel with the family, depending on the family’s needs. Some families tend to travel a lot and require an experienced full-time nanny to accompany them and carry out nanny tasks when travelling.

Parents may need to work, they may want some free time, or they may need some extra help, so they need the nanny to take over or lend an extra hand.

A travelling nanny usually works on a 24/6 or 24/7 schedule, and it is usually temporary. A travelling nanny can work either with the parents or sole charge. 

International Nanny

An international nanny has extensive experience working with different families in different countries.

An international nanny is experienced in living in and has the competencies and resources to relocate easily.

This nanny can work full time, live in or live out and, in other cases, on a rota. 

Maternity Nanny

Nanny helps the mum in introducing new milestones.

A maternity nanny tends to take over a maternity nurse. They are hired to continue helping with the habits and routines that were set by the previous maternity nurse.

They help the mum in introducing new milestones, such as weaning and sleep coaching. A maternity nanny has training and extensive experience working with young babies.

Nanny-Governess

This position entails covering all the nanny duties and implementing educational elements to help children thrive in academic matters.

A nanny-governess works as a nanny and a governess, this means that apart from the general duties and tasks a nanny has to carry out, they work with the child/children and family with an emphasis on education.

Whereas a nanny-governess covers more duties and a governess, this position entails covering all the nanny duties and implementing educational elements to help children thrive in academic matters.

A nanny-governess, as governesses do, has an educational background and the ability to teach. 

Nanny-PA (Personal Assistant)

A nanny-PA takes on additional duties to the general nanny tasks. This is usually done to support the parents or children when the nanny is not actively caring for the children.

PA’s duties usually revolve around the personal and social needs of the parents or children.

This position requires organisational, administrative and time-management skills, as you are caring for a child/children and managing the day-to-day aspects of the home.


International Nanny helps families identify the best childcare set-up for their family and works hard to find the best homes for the best nannies.

We have a broad range of profiles and strive to recruit professional and career nannies.

We are committed to raising the standards in domestic childcare and have a thorough application and recruitment process because we work with candidates who are vocational and see this profession as the career it truly is.

Besides the agency, and to better equip candidates with the interest and vocation to grow and develop as successful nannies, we also offer training and accredited courses through the International Nanny Institute

For more information, visit our website at https://www.international-nanny.com/ to find out about our open vacancies and more about International Nanny.

Feel free to visit our institute at https://www.international-nanny.institute/ to learn more about becoming a professional nanny.


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International Nanny Institute Course: Paediatric First Aid

When working with children, having first aid knowledge can help you react well in an emergency, and this can make all the difference. Having a first aid qualification is a highly desirable or essential requirement when parents are recruiting a nanny, as it shows your commitment and dedication to their child’s safety and wellbeing. Besides, it offers you and the family peace of mind. 

What is First Aid?

First Aid is the immediate care and assistance that is provided to a person that has suffered a minor or serious illness or injury.

Instructor teaching First Aid.

Training

People decide to get trained in First Aid in order to be prepared for any accident or emergency situation. Paediatric First Aid training courses are focused on child and infant primary and secondary care, and are usually required in domestic care roles.

Paediatric First Aid

A paediatric first aid course covers various types of serious injuries, how to assess them and the appropriate protocol to follow before medical attention arrives, if needed. Where there is no need for medical attention, a first aid qualification offers you the steps to deal with minor injuries safely.

The International Nanny Institute First Aid Course follows the standard and general first aid curriculum and covers: 

  • Understanding emergencies
  • Primary Care
  • Secondary Care
  • Emergency preparedness

After taking the course, you will have a firm understanding of First Aid procedures, with special focus on babies and children. 

CPR and First Aid

The course touches on CPR skills and how to use them in life-threatening situations. The International Nanny Institute Paediatric First Aid Course does not provide formal CPR certification as additional in-depth and in-person training is imperative. Nonetheless, learning CPR procedures and understanding how CPR works, are valuable tools that can help assist with emergencies until professional medical assistance arrives.

The International Nanny Institute Paediatric First Aid Course follows the generic curriculum and for those working with children and babies, this can either be your first certificate in First Aid, or it can serve as a renewal course to keep the information fresh in your mind to be prepared for any emergency. Please note that the First Aid Certificate should be renewed periodically.

Visit our institute and check out our Paediatric First Aid Course!

Paediatric First Aid Course at International Nanny Institute

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