2 year baby not eating food
What to Do and When to Worry
You’ve tried it all: the bargaining, the pleading, the dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets. And still your toddler won’t eat. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Toddlers are notorious for their, ahem, selectiveness when it comes to food.
Still, after a lengthy hunger strike from your little one, you may wonder: Are you dealing with a run-of-the-mill picky “threenager” — or is this a sign of a more serious problem? And, either way, how can you best approach the issue of a kid who won’t eat?
While picky eating (or even a temporary hiatus from eating altogether) is usually not a cause for concern, there are times when it’s best to get professional help. We’ve got the scoop on when to call the doctor, when to hold your ground, and how to up the chances of your kid joining the ranks of the Clean Plate Club.
Just like the ups and downs of potty training and the occasional nap time meltdown, picky eating comes with the territory of toddler parenting.
If your toddler turns up their nose at absolutely everything you put in front of them, it’s probably not a reflection of your parenting skills or a medical problem. It’s far more likely that your child is going through a normal developmental phase.
“Selective (or ‘picky’) eating often shows up between 12 and 18 months,” says Yaffi Lvova, RDN, who focuses on prenatal, infant, and toddler nutrition. “The official term for this is ‘food neophobia’: the fear of new foods. This phase coincides with the ability to walk. The prevailing theory is that neophobia is a protective measure to benefit a child who ‘wandered out of the cave,’ so to speak.”
Plus, after extremely rapid growth in the first year of life, children begin to gain weight more slowly. This may naturally decrease their hunger, making them more likely to eat smaller portions.
Your toddler’s growing interest in the world around them can also contribute to their dwindling appetite. With so much to see and do now that they can walk, they simply may not have the patience to sit down to a traditional meal.
The good news is, kids this age are often quite good at taking notice when hunger really gets their attention. Pediatricians have long advised toddler parents to “look at the week, not the day” when it comes to food. You may notice, for example, that your kid subsists on goldfish crackers all week, then suddenly wolfs down a chicken dinner on Saturday night.
Considering broader patterns can help you see adequate intake over time, rather than in the moment. (Though that moment can sure be aggravating when it involves wasted milk and couscous ground into your carpet.)
While picky eating is a normal phase for most toddlers, there’s definitely a time and place to call the doctor. Your pediatrician can rule out or diagnose possible underlying causes for your little one not eating, such as gastrointestinal disorders, swallowing problems, constipation, food sensitivities, or autism.
According to Lvova, it’s a good idea to seek help from your doctor or a pediatric dietitian when your child:
- accepts fewer than 20 foods
- is losing weight
- dislikes or refuses entire food groups (grains, dairy, proteins, etc.
) - goes for several days without eating at all
- is committed to certain food brands or types of packaging
- requires a different meal from the rest of the family
- is anxious in social situations because of food
- has a dramatic emotional response to disliked foods, such as screaming, running away, or throwing objects
Assuming there’s not a health problem causing your toddler’s picky eating, it’s time to get creative! Here are some tactics that may help make mealtime with your little one more successful.
Encourage independence
Constant cries of “I do it!” can be frustrating, but your child’s desire for independence is actually a useful tool when it comes to food. Giving them appropriate levels of self-determination creates the sense of influence toddlers crave, which may lead to better eating.
Bring your child into the kitchen with you as you prepare meals and snacks, encouraging them to smell, touch, and observe different foods.
You can even let them help you cook! Actions that use motor skills, such as stirring, pouring, or shaking are all fair game for toddlers (when supervised).
At mealtimes, stoke the independence fire by offering choice:
- “Do you want strawberries or banana?”
- “Would you like to use a fork or a spoon?”
- “Should we use the blue plate or the green plate?”
It’s wise to go with just one pair of options per meal so as to not overwhelm your child, and this works best if these choices are already part of the planned meal. Even these small personal selections can pave the way for better mood and more interest in eating.
Think outside the box
Part of what makes toddlerhood fun is its unpredictability. Underwear worn on the head? Sure. A random sock as a favorite plaything? Why not? Follow your toddler’s unorthodox lead at mealtimes by experimenting with different preparations of foods. If your child isn’t a fan of steamed veggies, try them roasted.
If poached chicken goes untouched, try it grilled.
The same principle goes for switching up foods associated with certain meals. When eggs don’t go over well in the morning, serve them at dinner instead. And there’s no reason why fish or poultry can’t grace the breakfast table.
Make it a family affair
At any age, there’s a lot to be said for the social element of eating. Help your toddler feel relaxed and included at mealtimes by creating a pleasant, undistracted environment whenever possible. And don’t make separate meals for your little eater, as this can give the impression that there’s a difference between “kid food” and “grown-up food.”
Keep offering
You can’t force your kid to eat — and when you have an extremely picky eater, you may need to re-evaluate your definition of success at mealtimes.
But don’t give up! Continue putting a bite of food on the plate, and don’t draw too much attention to whether your toddler eats it or not. With time and repeated exposure, you’ll begin to see progress.
Seasoned parents and child care pros know that making toddler-friendly meals and snacks is all about fun. Experimenting with color, texture, and shape in novel ways can convince even a stubborn 2-year-old that they really do want to eat.
Though you may not have time to bake homemade kale chips or turn apple slices into shark jaws every day, there are some smaller tweaks you can try at meal and snack time:
- Use cookie cutters to cut fruits and veggies into shapes.
- Buy a pack of edible googly eyes to add to foods.
- Arrange food on your child’s plate to look like a face or other recognizable image.
- Give foods a silly or imaginative name, like “orange wheels” (sliced oranges) or “little trees” (broccoli or cauliflower).
- Let your child play with their food — at least for a short while — to foster a positive attitude toward it.
Take note, though, that there’s one popular strategy some experts don’t recommend: hiding healthy foods in a kid-friendly package, á la hidden-spinach smoothies or stealth-veggie lasagna.
“The problem with this method is twofold,” says Lvova. “First, the child is unaware that they are eating, and enjoying, a food. Second, there is an issue of trust. By hiding undesired foods inside loved foods, an element of distrust is introduced.”
Even adults can be wary of trying new things. So if your toddler gives tofu or tuna the side-eye, try to remember that change is hard. Still, introducing new foods is an important part of helping your child eat a healthy diet and develop a broad palate.
To boost the chances of your toddler trying (and liking) something new, don’t do too much at once. Stick to one new food per day, and don’t pile it on your child’s plate.
The American Academy of Family Physicians advises offering your child 1 tablespoon of food for each year of age. This portion (for example, 2 tbsp of a given food for a 2-year-old) is often smaller than a parent thinks it should be.
When introducing foods, it often helps to put them in the context of something familiar.
This might look like offering a dipping sauce like ketchup with cauliflower, serving red peppers alongside a familiar favorite like corn, or topping pizza with arugula. Again, mixing — not hiding — is the better bet to get your child to see that new foods are nothing to be afraid of.
Does your kiddo enjoy restaurant dining? This may also be an ideal time to let them try something less familiar. For less risk of wasted food (and money), order the more exotic dish for yourself and invite your toddler to try it.
Whatever your method, be sure to give your child plenty of praise along the way. A 2020 study suggested that of the various types of “prompts” moms used to get their kids to eat — such as pressuring or coercing them — praise was the one strategy that consistently worked.
If your toddler seems to have taken a pass on mealtime, it’s entirely possible that this is a normal (though exasperating) phase of their development. With time, their tastes and habits will likely expand as you continue to offer a variety of foods.
However, when a refusal to eat goes on for days or your kiddo shows any of the warning signs listed above, don’t be afraid to tap the expertise of a healthcare professional.
A 2015 study found that many preschool-age picky eaters who require medical attention don’t get the help they need. So don’t stress about “bothering” your pediatrician. Making a call or an appointment can give you much-needed peace of mind. Toddler parenting is a tough gig, and sometimes you need an expert to help you sort things out.
What to Do and When to Worry
You’ve tried it all: the bargaining, the pleading, the dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets. And still your toddler won’t eat. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Toddlers are notorious for their, ahem, selectiveness when it comes to food.
Still, after a lengthy hunger strike from your little one, you may wonder: Are you dealing with a run-of-the-mill picky “threenager” — or is this a sign of a more serious problem? And, either way, how can you best approach the issue of a kid who won’t eat?
While picky eating (or even a temporary hiatus from eating altogether) is usually not a cause for concern, there are times when it’s best to get professional help.
We’ve got the scoop on when to call the doctor, when to hold your ground, and how to up the chances of your kid joining the ranks of the Clean Plate Club.
Just like the ups and downs of potty training and the occasional nap time meltdown, picky eating comes with the territory of toddler parenting.
If your toddler turns up their nose at absolutely everything you put in front of them, it’s probably not a reflection of your parenting skills or a medical problem. It’s far more likely that your child is going through a normal developmental phase.
“Selective (or ‘picky’) eating often shows up between 12 and 18 months,” says Yaffi Lvova, RDN, who focuses on prenatal, infant, and toddler nutrition. “The official term for this is ‘food neophobia’: the fear of new foods. This phase coincides with the ability to walk. The prevailing theory is that neophobia is a protective measure to benefit a child who ‘wandered out of the cave,’ so to speak.”
Plus, after extremely rapid growth in the first year of life, children begin to gain weight more slowly.
This may naturally decrease their hunger, making them more likely to eat smaller portions.
Your toddler’s growing interest in the world around them can also contribute to their dwindling appetite. With so much to see and do now that they can walk, they simply may not have the patience to sit down to a traditional meal.
The good news is, kids this age are often quite good at taking notice when hunger really gets their attention. Pediatricians have long advised toddler parents to “look at the week, not the day” when it comes to food. You may notice, for example, that your kid subsists on goldfish crackers all week, then suddenly wolfs down a chicken dinner on Saturday night.
Considering broader patterns can help you see adequate intake over time, rather than in the moment. (Though that moment can sure be aggravating when it involves wasted milk and couscous ground into your carpet.)
While picky eating is a normal phase for most toddlers, there’s definitely a time and place to call the doctor.
Your pediatrician can rule out or diagnose possible underlying causes for your little one not eating, such as gastrointestinal disorders, swallowing problems, constipation, food sensitivities, or autism.
According to Lvova, it’s a good idea to seek help from your doctor or a pediatric dietitian when your child:
- accepts fewer than 20 foods
- is losing weight
- dislikes or refuses entire food groups (grains, dairy, proteins, etc.)
- goes for several days without eating at all
- is committed to certain food brands or types of packaging
- requires a different meal from the rest of the family
- is anxious in social situations because of food
- has a dramatic emotional response to disliked foods, such as screaming, running away, or throwing objects
Assuming there’s not a health problem causing your toddler’s picky eating, it’s time to get creative! Here are some tactics that may help make mealtime with your little one more successful.
Encourage independence
Constant cries of “I do it!” can be frustrating, but your child’s desire for independence is actually a useful tool when it comes to food. Giving them appropriate levels of self-determination creates the sense of influence toddlers crave, which may lead to better eating.
Bring your child into the kitchen with you as you prepare meals and snacks, encouraging them to smell, touch, and observe different foods. You can even let them help you cook! Actions that use motor skills, such as stirring, pouring, or shaking are all fair game for toddlers (when supervised).
At mealtimes, stoke the independence fire by offering choice:
- “Do you want strawberries or banana?”
- “Would you like to use a fork or a spoon?”
- “Should we use the blue plate or the green plate?”
It’s wise to go with just one pair of options per meal so as to not overwhelm your child, and this works best if these choices are already part of the planned meal.
Even these small personal selections can pave the way for better mood and more interest in eating.
Think outside the box
Part of what makes toddlerhood fun is its unpredictability. Underwear worn on the head? Sure. A random sock as a favorite plaything? Why not? Follow your toddler’s unorthodox lead at mealtimes by experimenting with different preparations of foods. If your child isn’t a fan of steamed veggies, try them roasted. If poached chicken goes untouched, try it grilled.
The same principle goes for switching up foods associated with certain meals. When eggs don’t go over well in the morning, serve them at dinner instead. And there’s no reason why fish or poultry can’t grace the breakfast table.
Make it a family affair
At any age, there’s a lot to be said for the social element of eating. Help your toddler feel relaxed and included at mealtimes by creating a pleasant, undistracted environment whenever possible. And don’t make separate meals for your little eater, as this can give the impression that there’s a difference between “kid food” and “grown-up food.
”
Keep offering
You can’t force your kid to eat — and when you have an extremely picky eater, you may need to re-evaluate your definition of success at mealtimes.
But don’t give up! Continue putting a bite of food on the plate, and don’t draw too much attention to whether your toddler eats it or not. With time and repeated exposure, you’ll begin to see progress.
Seasoned parents and child care pros know that making toddler-friendly meals and snacks is all about fun. Experimenting with color, texture, and shape in novel ways can convince even a stubborn 2-year-old that they really do want to eat.
Though you may not have time to bake homemade kale chips or turn apple slices into shark jaws every day, there are some smaller tweaks you can try at meal and snack time:
- Use cookie cutters to cut fruits and veggies into shapes.
- Buy a pack of edible googly eyes to add to foods.
- Arrange food on your child’s plate to look like a face or other recognizable image.
- Give foods a silly or imaginative name, like “orange wheels” (sliced oranges) or “little trees” (broccoli or cauliflower).
- Let your child play with their food — at least for a short while — to foster a positive attitude toward it.
Take note, though, that there’s one popular strategy some experts don’t recommend: hiding healthy foods in a kid-friendly package, á la hidden-spinach smoothies or stealth-veggie lasagna.
“The problem with this method is twofold,” says Lvova. “First, the child is unaware that they are eating, and enjoying, a food. Second, there is an issue of trust. By hiding undesired foods inside loved foods, an element of distrust is introduced.”
Even adults can be wary of trying new things. So if your toddler gives tofu or tuna the side-eye, try to remember that change is hard. Still, introducing new foods is an important part of helping your child eat a healthy diet and develop a broad palate.
To boost the chances of your toddler trying (and liking) something new, don’t do too much at once.
Stick to one new food per day, and don’t pile it on your child’s plate.
The American Academy of Family Physicians advises offering your child 1 tablespoon of food for each year of age. This portion (for example, 2 tbsp of a given food for a 2-year-old) is often smaller than a parent thinks it should be.
When introducing foods, it often helps to put them in the context of something familiar. This might look like offering a dipping sauce like ketchup with cauliflower, serving red peppers alongside a familiar favorite like corn, or topping pizza with arugula. Again, mixing — not hiding — is the better bet to get your child to see that new foods are nothing to be afraid of.
Does your kiddo enjoy restaurant dining? This may also be an ideal time to let them try something less familiar. For less risk of wasted food (and money), order the more exotic dish for yourself and invite your toddler to try it.
Whatever your method, be sure to give your child plenty of praise along the way.
A 2020 study suggested that of the various types of “prompts” moms used to get their kids to eat — such as pressuring or coercing them — praise was the one strategy that consistently worked.
If your toddler seems to have taken a pass on mealtime, it’s entirely possible that this is a normal (though exasperating) phase of their development. With time, their tastes and habits will likely expand as you continue to offer a variety of foods.
However, when a refusal to eat goes on for days or your kiddo shows any of the warning signs listed above, don’t be afraid to tap the expertise of a healthcare professional.
A 2015 study found that many preschool-age picky eaters who require medical attention don’t get the help they need. So don’t stress about “bothering” your pediatrician. Making a call or an appointment can give you much-needed peace of mind. Toddler parenting is a tough gig, and sometimes you need an expert to help you sort things out.
What to do if the child does not eat well.
Child from birth demands to eat instinctively . If the child is healthy, he eats as much as his body requires. Over the years, our instincts weaken and eating behavior begins to rely not only on the needs of the body, but also on:
- socio-psychological environment
- experience
- emotional state
It is very important to be able to distinguish between a true decrease in appetite and a false one. If false, there are no problems with food or health, but at the same time, parents are unhappy with the amount of food eaten. nine0005
To diagnose a child's eating behavior, it is necessary, first of all, to clarify the general state of the child's health, his activity, growth and weight indicators and their dynamics, and especially the rhythm of nutrition.
Types of refusal to eat:
- A child older than 1.5–2 years does not eat certain food groups. For example, refuses vegetables, meat or cereals.
- The child bites and eats mainly junk food: sweets, fast food and processed meat (sausages, sausages). nine0008
- A child older than one and a half years old eats only liquid, homogeneous food (for example, milk, formula or puree).
- The child refuses any food and goes on hunger strikes
- The child experiences fear when eating due to some trouble that occurred while eating.
- For diseases of the oral cavity and disorders of the digestive system. The child avoids pain when eating or after eating.
- The child may not eat well when he is not feeling well. This is a normal human reaction to the disease. nine0008
- Increased nervous excitability. An excited child can hardly secrete the required amount of saliva, so it is difficult for him to have dryish food. If you are under a lot of stress, you may have trouble swallowing due to throat spasms.
Consequences of refusal to eat:
- the child does not gain weight for a long time, growth and lags behind in physical development
- chronic eating disorder, deficiency of vitamins and microelements layer is very thin.
There is a decrease in immunity, a tendency to frequent infections and their protracted course; fatigue and general weakness. nine0005 If diseases are ruled out, in most cases the problem of the child's selective appetite can be solved by parents on their own.
What to do?
Lots of recommendations. To normalize the appetite will have to spend a lot of time and effort. Therefore, be patient.
- There is one simple rule that helps to determine the amount of food a child needs: the number of spoons of each meal eaten must be at least the number of full years0004 . You can conclude a kind of contract to comply with this rule. If the child understands the agreements, he can correctly calculate his strength and build expectations . Large plates can scare a child, as can huge portions.
- Think about how a child usually eats. If it is filled with persuasion, quarrels, threats of punishment, then a decrease in appetite is quite natural.
Our psyche is arranged in such a way that the emotional coloring of events occurring at the same time is mixed and attached to each other . If food becomes a cause of conflict with parents, the child experiences unpleasant emotions - resentment, shame, anger, etc. These emotions are superimposed on all meals. Try not to force him to finish his plate, do not threaten punishment. The more you force, the more the child will resist. Make your meal a pleasant event of the day in a warm family circle with a beautiful table setting. - However, the opposite situation also happens: the mother, on the contrary, does not offer food too persistently. There is an opinion: you need to make 8 to 15 unobtrusive attempts, preferably in a playful way, so that the child gets used to unfamiliar food. Use little tricks. Offer new foods to your child to choose from - for example, from 2-3 dishes. This will help him understand that his opinion is taken into account in the family.
Replace products. Try different types of meat - the child will surely choose something for himself, because he needs iron in an easily digestible form, which can only be obtained from meat products. Add mince to vegetables. Use different cooking methods. nine0008 - Selective appetite develops in children of parents who use food as a reward or as blackmail: "If you don't eat soup, you won't go for a walk." Pediatricians emphasize that food is a source of nutrients, fuel for the body, and not a means of manipulation.
- You should not feed a child mechanically when he is engrossed, say, in playing or watching a movie - many children eat well under advertising or on a tablet, not feeling the taste of food at all, which ultimately only reduces their appetite. nine0008
- Children are much more willing to eat what has been cooked with them, so feel free to involve them in the cooking process. Turn cooking into an exciting joint creativity, and you will see how the child gradually changes his attitude to food.
- If a child does not want to eat, it means that he did not spend enough energy and did not have time to get hungry. To awaken the appetite, you need to increase energy consumption: walk in the fresh air, ride the slides or offer classes in the sports section. The more energy children expend, the better their appetite. nine0008
Do not forget also that small children always imitate their parents, and if they are picky in food, their children will adopt this habit from a young age.
Have questions? Write to the doctor.
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what to do at home and why it happens
Mothers, fathers, grandparents experience great anxiety if a child refuses to eat, especially if this does not happen from time to time, but constantly. The fidget has to be persuaded to eat an extra spoonful of porridge, come up with new, unusual dishes and games so that the baby leaves the table full. "Komsomolskaya Pravda" deals with the expert, because of what you should and should not worry and how to increase children's appetite. nine0005
How much a child should eat at different ages
There are nutritional standards developed by scientists (1).
It is important for parents to know the recommended numbers, but following the norms for grams will be a big mistake. It is better to focus on the common sense, well-being and mood of the baby. The volume of breast milk or formula for newborns in the first 10 days of life depends on weight. If the baby was born with a weight of more than 3200 g, he should eat a volume of milk per day equal to the number of days lived multiplied by 70 (2). A child 5 days old eats 350 ml. If the baby's weight was less than 3200 g, the number of days lived is multiplied by 80.
From 1.5 weeks to 2 months: WHO recommends 1/5 of the baby's weight as normal (3). That is, with a weight of 4 kg, he should eat 800 ml per day.
From 2 to 4 months, mother's milk and formula are taken in the ratio of 1/6 of the baby's weight. You can calculate according to the formula - weight in grams divided by height in cm and multiplied by 70.
Babies from 4-6 months old eat 1/7 of their own weight.
For 6-8 months, the norm will be about 1000-1100 ml of food per day, and for 8-11 months - 1200-1300 ml. nine0005 From 1 to 2 years old, children usually eat 1300-1400 ml of food per day. After 2 years, the Union of Pediatricians of Russia advises parents to switch to a full three meals a day with two intermediate snacks (4). On average, a child of this age eats 1500 ml per day.
After 4-5 years, the amount of food increases to 2000 ml per day. It is recommended to distribute the calorie content of food as follows: breakfast - 30%, lunch - 35%, afternoon tea - 15% and dinner - 20%.
Nutritional norms for children at different ages according to WHO recommendations
Age Norma Norma per day from 1.5 weeks to 2 months 1/5 of the weight of the child Child from 4 to 6 months 1/7 of the weight of the child from 6 to 8 months 1000-1100 ml 1200-1300 ml nine0128 from 1 to 2 years 1300-1400 ml from 2 to 5 years on average 1500 ml older than 5 years on average 200131 Appetite in children depends on the state of health, genetic characteristics, maturity, growth phase, mood and even the time of day.
It is necessary to distinguish between painful manifestations and cases that most parents have to deal with. nine0005 Complete refusal to eat is called anorexia. If a child experiences a painful reaction to some food or dish, this is a state of idiosyncrasy. Most often, adults deal with hyporexia - a decrease in appetite. Let us examine in more detail each reason why a child refuses to eat or eats too little.
Photo: pixabay.comNo feeling of hunger
The simplest and most obvious reason for poor appetite is that the baby is full. We try so hard to feed our kids that they just don't feel hungry and therefore have a hard time identifying it. nine0005
What should parents do? Don't be nervous, stay friendly and let your baby get hungry. Remove from your reach any foods and snacks that can interrupt your appetite - sweets, cookies, sandwiches, buns, juices, compotes and fruits. Offer your child food, but be prepared for him to say no. Wait until the baby himself offers to dine or agrees to your offer.
Interested in something or a game
Often children are so engrossed in a new toy that they forget to eat. An enthusiastic fidget does not want to give up an interesting business and break for lunch, so the calls of adults can be met with refusal or even whims. nine0005
Selective appetite
If your child does not want to eat the main food and prefers to "bite", he may simply not like the taste and appearance of the dishes you prepare. Try to choose other recipes, experiment with salt and spices. Perhaps the child does not want to eat too hot or cold food.
Intoxication during illness
When children feel unwell, they refuse to eat any food. This happens with SARS, stomatitis, otitis and other ailments. In infancy, appetite may decrease during teething. nine0005
When a child is sick, the body is not able to adequately perceive food. All forces are spent on eliminating the source of pain, so the brain does not send signals about hunger. As soon as health improves, appetite returns.
Effects of vaccinations
After vaccination, the child may lose his appetite. This is especially true in children in their first year of life. In preschoolers and children of primary school age, problems with eating after vaccination occur in 15-20% of cases. Don't despair - it won't be long! nine0005
Allergy
Appetite disturbances may be caused by allergic reactions. For example, babies with atopic dermatitis often refuse to eat. When skin itching bothers, appetite fades into the background.
Few movements
Children of the first years of life are very active physically and rarely sit still. Natural mobility and outdoor play are the best way to work up an appetite. Some, on the contrary, spend a lot of time in front of the TV and at the computer, move little, and therefore do not experience a strong feeling of hunger. nine0005
Consequences of a child's poor nutrition
Regular malnutrition leads to the fact that the child's body does not receive enough nutrients for normal functioning.
The child appears lethargic, drowsy and lethargic. With poor nutrition, there is a risk of underdevelopment of the brain, decreased learning and low immunity. Improper nutrition in childhood can lead to serious health problems in adulthood. Parents are not in vain worried about the baby's poor appetite. Refusal to eat can be caused by serious chronic diseases, such as hormonal disorders. nine0005
For which symptoms should a child be seen by a doctor? If loss of appetite is accompanied by high fever, vomiting, rashes appear in the mouth or on the body, urination and stool become frequent. When a child loses weight, does not want to drink, or does not sleep well.
How to increase a child's appetite
Everyone has their own appetite. Some children like to eat more often, others refuse to eat, even when it's time to feed. However, there are ways to increase a child's appetite without violence, lectures, threats and blackmail. nine0005
Up to 1 year
A newborn child is completely dependent on the mother and sensitively reacts to her mood.
In order for the baby to grow up happy and active, the mother must feed him in a good mood. It is necessary to apply to the chest in a calm environment, without loud, annoying extraneous sounds that can distract from eating. There are many problems with breastfeeding that cause the baby to eat poorly. Causes of poor appetite can be improper attachment to the breast, inverted nipples of the mother, pain and excess gas in the abdomen of the crumbs. Sometimes lactation changes - there is little milk or, on the contrary, it pours excessively. From the mother's diet, breast milk can change the taste. When formula feeding, refusal to eat is sometimes caused by an incorrectly selected bottle or nipple. nine0005
In the first year of life, it is important that the child is regularly monitored by a pediatrician. Some children eat poorly because they are lactose intolerant, so milk is removed from their diet as early as possible. Sometimes the appetite increases from the introduction of complementary foods or the replacement of formula.
Photo: pixabay.com
1-2 years old
At this age, the child likes to repeat after others, so it is important that he observes how adults, older brothers and sisters eat. A good way to develop eating behavior is playing with a spoon and a plate. An active interest in food is caused by joint table setting, shopping trips and products that the baby can eat with their own hands. nine0005
3-5 years old
Younger preschoolers like bright and unusual dishes, because food is also a game. Liven up cereals, soups and salads to make them look irresistible. Put food on plates with beautiful pictures. The child will want to finish eating quickly to see the “drawn story”. An effective way of teaching is the example of a peer. Take your little one to visit a baby who eats with appetite.
5-7 years old
Older preschoolers are extremely inquisitive. Involve your child in cooking as early as possible. Children are happy to break eggs for scrambled eggs, make sandwiches, knead the dough and put it into molds.
A dish prepared with your own hands is much more interesting and tastier! nine0005 Over 7 years old
Schoolchildren have many responsibilities during the day, so routine is important. A healthy appetite can be instilled as a habit. Remove all unnecessary snacks and set clear rules in the family when family members sit down for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is worth walking more in the fresh air, playing sports and avoiding negative conversations during meals.
Popular Questions and Answers
How to establish a child's interest in food?
This question is answered by Natalia Pakholyuk, nutrition expert, naturopath, detox coach :
— A child should be taught to taste a variety of tastes, shown and allowed to taste. For many parents, a bunch works in their heads: “cutlet-pasta-cucumber”. While children need fresh herbs, fresh vegetables and fruits, processed vegetables, cereals and legumes. Parsnips, beets, radishes, parsley, turnips, sweet potatoes - the younger generation has not heard of many cruciferous vegetables, much less tried them.
But these vegetables are really tasty! nine0005 A child is not born with an understanding of the principles of healthy eating. All knowledge about food comes to children from their parents through their own experience. Of the prerequisites - the child must have a correct daily routine, including full meals and snacks. Nutrition rules should be clear. It does not happen that “today you can eat at night”, and tomorrow “you can’t”. Or “today chips are allowed”, at all other times it is “forbidden”.
I recommend that parents go shopping with their children and study in detail the composition of everything that is on the counter. Forming good eating habits is a process that never ends. Therefore, the child and the parent must be in constant communication: what can be eaten, what cannot be eaten, what should be added to the diet, and what should be removed. nine0005
Can a child be forced to eat?
— You can't force or encourage children to eat more than they want, you can't use food as a reward or make it a duty, you can't regulate a child's emotional state with food, says trainer-nutritionist Elena Kostyuk .
“All this not only leads to overconsumption and is associated with weight gain in later life, but also disrupts the self-regulation of eating behavior. Children are not machines that require more or less the same amount of gasoline per kilometer. "Clean Plate Societies" should be a thing of the past. The right of the child is not to finish eating, to eat as much as he wants, and even to completely refuse food. If the child is healthy, active, develops according to age, has weight and height within the age norms, there is no reason to think that he does not receive enough food. For more complex cases, there is a food diary, nutrition structuring, consultation with a doctor (pediatrician or nutritionist), help from a child or family psychologist. nine0005 When should I see a doctor due to lack of appetite?
— If the child has no appetite, do not immediately run to the doctor. It is necessary to analyze the psychological component of the question: could stress, fear or resentment be the provoking factor? It is also necessary to exclude the factors of taking drugs and dietary supplements, illness, an abundance of snacks.
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