Why Your Toddler Won’t Eat (and What Actually Works)

In this episode of Parent Unplugged, I’m joined by paediatric dietitian and feeding therapist Emma Shafqat for a deep dive into fussy eating - the normal, the not-so-normal, and the stuff nobody tells you until you’re crying over a cold plate of pasta.

Emma breaks down why toddlers often hit that “neophobic stage” (yep, there’s an evolutionary reason they suddenly act like broccoli might kill them), and the red flags that suggest a child may need extra help with eating.

We talk about:

• What typical fussy eating looks like

• When pickiness becomes “problem eating”

• Texture issues, sensory overload, and why dinner time is the hardest meal

• The gentle, step-by-step exposure approach that actually works

• Why pressure backfires - even when you’re desperate

• How to structure meals so kids feel safe, not overwhelmed

• The power of play, sensory exploration, and getting kids involved

• When to trust your gut and seek support

It’s a compassionate, practical conversation for any parent who’s exhausted by mealtime battles or quietly worrying, “Should my child have grown out of this by now?”

You’re not failing. Your kid isn’t broken.

And Emma’s wisdom might just change your whole approach.