How many times should a toddler try a new food?

It may take 8 to 10 tries before a young child is willing to eat a new food, the CDC says, so keep offering it, about a week apart.

Is picky eating normal for toddlers?

Yes. Sticking to a few favorites or not wanting foods to touch is common, and it often eases by about age 5. If you're worried about how your child is eating or growing, talk with your pediatrician.

How do I get my picky eater to try something new?

Eat it yourself first, keep the amount small, make it fun, and let your child choose between two new foods.

All habits

How to get your toddler to try new foods

Keep offering it in small amounts, eat it yourself first, make it fun, and let your child choose which new food to try.

Custom story for Amara

Broccoli trees are new on Amara's plate, so she looks, sniffs, licks, and takes one tiny brave bite.

Broccoli Trees for Dinner

Story created for Amara

"It may take 8 to 10 exposures before a young child is willing to try a new food," says the CDC. It suggests offering a food again and again, waiting about a week between tries, eating it first so your child sees you like it, making it fun, and letting your child pick which food to try that day. Wanting the same few foods, or not wanting foods to touch, is normal, and it often goes away by about age 5.

A social story is one way to make the new food less new: your child sees themselves look at it, smell it, and take one tiny bite. That's why Tella is built so the story stars your child, at your table, with the food they're working on.

A trying new foods social story starring your child

Here's how Amara's story goes.

Mom eats a broccoli tree first and smiles.
Amara gives it a sniff. It smells like a garden.
Then one tiny lick, with Bunny watching close.
And one tiny, brave bite, all her own idea.

Watch Amara’s whole story

Questions parents ask

How many times should a toddler try a new food?: It may take 8 to 10 tries before a young child is willing to eat a new food, the CDC says, so keep offering it, about a week apart.
Is picky eating normal for toddlers?: Yes. Sticking to a few favorites or not wanting foods to touch is common, and it often eases by about age 5. If you're worried about how your child is eating or growing, talk with your pediatrician.
How do I get my picky eater to try something new?: Eat it yourself first, keep the amount small, make it fun, and let your child choose between two new foods.
Is there a picky eater book starring my child?: Tella makes a story instead of a printed book. It stars your child at your table, with the food they're working on, and it's ready the same day on your phone, tablet or TV.

Questions parents ask about Tella

Is it more screen time?: You watch it together, and it's about a real day in your child's life. No feed, and every story has an ending.
Is it safe?: No photo needed. See what we keep and who sees it.
Is it really about my child?: Every scene shows your child and your family, not a name dropped into a template.
What does it cost?: Your first story is free. No card needed.
Why not just ask ChatGPT?: See how a Tella story compares.

Updated October 30, 2026.

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