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Feeding Your Child Using Division of Responsibility
Feeding Your Child Using Division of Responsibility
Overview
Division of responsibility is a way of feeding children that takes the battle out of meal times and helps children stay in touch with their internal hunger gauge.
From birth until your child is between 6 months and 1 year old:
- You are responsible for what your child eats.
- Your child is responsible for how much and how often he or she eats. (Infants are fed on demand.)
When your child starts eating solid foods:
- You are responsible for what, when, and where your child eats.
- Your child is responsible for how much and even whether he or she eats.
Young children are good at listening to their bodies. They eat when they're hungry. They stop when they're full. When we try to control how much children eat, we interfere with this natural ability. Keeping this division of responsibility helps your child stay in touch with those internal cues.
Current as of: September 20, 2021
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:John Pope MD - Pediatrics & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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Related Links
Weaning
Health and Safety, Birth to 2 Years
Helping Your Child Who Is Overweight
Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years
Healthy Eating for Children
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