It may take 10 or more tries before a child accepts a new food

Repeated exposure to new foods is key to helping children accept and enjoy a varied diet. It often takes multiple exposures before a child is willing to try or accept something new.

Food can feel daunting for children — it may look unfamiliar, feel strange, or smell too strong. Food neophobia (a normal developmental stage where children are wary of new foods) is commonly seen in early childhood and can lead to avoidance of new foods. However, repeated exposure can help reduce anxiety and increase familiarity, which may support acceptance over time.

Food play can be a valuable opportunity for sensory exploration, allowing a child to touch, smell, squish, and explore new foods in a low-pressure way. This can help increase familiarity and may improve the likelihood of acceptance over time. Some children may eventually progress to tasting or taking small bites as their confidence builds.