Why Toddlers Say No to Everything at 17 Months (and How to Handle It)
Is your 17-month-old acting like a food critic at a 0-star restaurant? One day they love bananas; the next, a banana is a personal insult. Welcome to the "Neophobia" phase- the literal fear of new foods.
Why the ‘no’?
Whilst it feels like a personal attack, it’s actually evolution. Around this age, toddlers become naturally suspicious of unfamiliar things as a survival instinct. Their brain is telling them: ‘ if it looks like a new food which I don’t recognise, it’s a no from me’ Combined with their new drive for independence, saying "no" is their favourite way to flex their tiny muscles.
Four Sanity-Saving Strategies
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The "safe food" rule: Always serve a tiny portion of the "scary" new food alongside a "safe" food you know they love (like plain pasta or yoghurt).
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Zero pressure: If they poke it, smell it, or just stare at it, count it as a win. It can take 15+ exposures before they actually take a bite.
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The "food bridge": Link new foods to old favourites. Love apples? Try a thin slice of pear. Love sweet potatoes? Try a tiny piece of carrot.
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Change the language: Don't ask "Do you want broccoli?" (The answer is always NO). Try: "Do you want the big tree or the little tree?" Choice = Control, and they’ll usually choose one or the other.
