12/14/2025
Food refusal at 12–24 months is more common than we think!
As an OT (and a mom), I want to normalize something I see all the time around 1 year, 18 months, and 2 years old:
👉 children may suddenly drop foods they once loved as big developmental shifts are happening.
Here’s my real-life example:
My daughter is 17 months and recently stopped eating meat.
🧠 Mom brain:
Is she getting enough iron? Enough protein?
How do I fill this nutrition gap?
Why is this happening?!
🧠 OT brain:
Stay neutral.
Protect her relationship with food.
Keep offering it without pressure.
Make it playful and fun.
Always include preferred “safe foods” so she stays full and regulated at meals.
Because this is my third child, I decided to trust my OT brain this time instead of panic mode 💛
We started playing with the meat—hiding it in our mouth, closing it, “hide and go seek” style. She thought it was hilarious… and slowly, she began eating a few pieces again.
I want to be honest though. This wasn’t instant or easy.
It took patience, persistence, and managing a lot of frustration.
The good news? For many toddlers, this phase is developmentally appropriate and often resolves on its own within weeks to months.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed with picky eating, please reach out to Mighty OTs 💙
We’re occupational therapists who specialize in this and moms who truly understand how hard this can be.
You’re not doing anything wrong—and you’re not alone.
