Children can be more willing to try food when it’s prepared in appealing ways. For example, carrots can be served as raw sticks, grated, boiled and mashed, or alongside a tasty dip. See which one they prefer, and continue offering different options regularly.

Let your child handle food and feel its texture. Use fingers or child-safe utensils and encourage them to squish, roll, or poke the food. This will help them become more comfortable and familiar with different textures.

Some smells, like fish or cooked meat, can be strong and overwhelming. Others, like honey or vanilla, are milder and can help spark curiosity about food.

Start with milder scents like honey (not for babies under 12 months) or vanilla, then gradually introduce stronger smells like garlic, meat or fish. Pair new foods with familiar flavours to make them less overwhelming. This can be simple, like adding lemon to chicken or a few mint leaves to watermelon.

Introducing new foods can take time. Encouraging your child to explore food gradually can make mealtimes more relaxed and positive. Here is a simple step-by-step approach:

• Look: The food stays on the plate without causing fear or protest.
   
• Touch: Your child explores the food using their hands, noticing the texture and feel.
   
• Kiss: They bring the food to their lips and let it touch gently.
   
• Lick: They try the food by touching it with their tongue.
   
• Taste: They place the food in their mouth, possibly taking a small bite and eventually swallowing it.