Question

The parents of a toddler are concerned that their child is so messy during eating, so they feed him instead of allowing him to feed himself. What should the nurse respond to the parents?

Answer 1

The nurse should explain that a toddler's messiness during meals is normal and essential for developing autonomy. She should suggest structured mealtimes and appropriate utensils to support the child's growth towards independence while maintaining order.

Step-by-step explanation:

When addressing the concerns of parents who feed their toddler instead of allowing him to feed himself due to messiness, a nurse should highlight the importance of promoting autonomy in toddlers. It is a crucial stage for children to develop a sense of independence. Limiting their self-feeding may affect their self-esteem and growth towards autonomy. The nurse can explain that messiness during eating is a normal part of development and might suggest implementing structured meal times where the child can practice self-feeding with appropriate, child-friendly utensils to minimize frustration. Additionally, setting rules around mealtime can provide a balance between allowing autonomy and maintaining some order. It is important to ensure these guidelines are developmentally appropriate and offer a learning experience for the child. Encouraging self-feeding supports the toddler's development and fosters a healthy relationship with food and eating habits.