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Avoid Using Food for Comfort or as a Reward

Last Updated: September 14, 2009 Related resource areas: Parenting

Parenting Tips for Your 31-32 Month Old Toddler

Sometimes parents use food to bribe or reward toddlers for good behavior. Sometimes, food is used to help comfort toddlers who are upset. This teaches toddlers that food is not just for eating when hungry. This can set toddlers up for unhealthy eating behaviors later in life. We know that when parents give children a special food for comfort, they prefer to eat more of that food when they are upset.

When children are given food as a reward for cleaning their plates, they prefer that food over other healthy foods. Children who are rewarded for eating all the food on their plates also overeat, instead of stopping when they’re full.

Keep food for meals and snack times. Use praise to reward your toddler for good behavior, or give him a hug and a kiss when he is upset. If you are serving dessert, let your toddler have some even if he did not finish all his dinner. You decide what to serve. Let your toddler decide what and how much to eat. For ideas on healthy foods for toddlers, read my pyramid for preschoolers age 2-5.

Learn more about Your Toddler: 31-32 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.

Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.