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Why is my baby refusing the breast? 8 tips that help | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support

Whether your baby refuses the breast as a newborn or when they’re older, it can be very stressful. Here’s why it might happen and what to try…

Why won’t my newborn baby breastfeed?

Sometimes, newborn babies struggle to latch on to breastfeed after they’re born. It can be worrying for new parents when this happens – you might think something’s wrong.

There may be a simple explanation. This information could help you find your own solution, or decide if you need further support.

Some of the more common reasons for newborn babies finding it difficult to latch onto the breast could be:

  • a difficult labour or birth – your baby might feel sore or have a headache if the mother has had interventions in labour or if they were born very quickly
  • medication used during labour – anaesthesia, epidural or pethidine can make your baby sleepy or groggy
  • your baby being separated from you after birth – even for a few minutes
  • discomfort due to a birth injury or bruising
  • swallowing mucus at birth can make your baby feel congested, nauseous or uncomfortable
  • an early unpleasant experience of attempting to breastfeed, such as being forced onto the breast
  • the baby might have tongue-tie

 (LLLGB, 2016)

Why won’t my baby breastfeed anymore?

Sometimes, older babies seem to refuse to breastfeed when they’d been breastfeeding just fine until then. This is known as a 'nursing strike.' They might refuse to breastfeed for 2-4 days, but it can be up to 10 days (Mohrbacher, 2013).

Reasons that your older baby might refuse to feed at the breast could include:

  • something has changed that makes it difficult for baby to latch
  • a strong or fast flow of milk, which your baby is struggling to take
  • a painful mouth, due to an infection like thrush or because they’re teething
  • being more aware of their surroundings and being easily distracted, for example by noise
  • a change in the taste of your milk, such as that due to your menstrual cycle
  • the introduction of more solid food
  • a small number of babies might struggle because of severe or persistent reflux, known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), so they may link feeding with pain.

(Mohrbacher, 2013; Gonzalez, 2014; BellyBelly, 2016; NICE, 2017; Public Health England, ND)

What can I do when my baby refuses to breastfeed?

8 top tips to help your baby who’s refusing to breastfeed:

1. Try to identify what’s going on for your baby. Knowing the cause can help not only with a plan but it can be reassuring to understand what is happening and know there’s a solution. You could think about the following:

  • Do they have a cold or an infection?
  • Was there something that might have caused them to not want to feed?
  • Talk to one of our Breastfeeding Counsellors or contact our Infant Feeding Line on 0300 330 0700 (option 1) for further support. It can be a great way to get some help to find out what’s happening.
  • You could also contact a health professional to investigate any medical reasons why your baby might not be feeding.

2. Try to stay calm and not force a feed. Instead, allow your baby to take the lead.

3. Especially for young babies, many mums find skin-to-skin contact in a laid-back position helps to take the pressure out of the situation. It allows your baby to use their own natural instincts to feed (Burbridge, 2017).

4. Don’t worry if your baby bobs their head or moves it from side to side, they’re not rejecting the breast as it might appear. These are your baby’s natural ways of finding your breast (Coulson, 2012).

5. Try a different feeding position to see if you can get your baby more comfortable. Some babies find a laid-back breastfeeding (also called biological nurturing) position helpful if they are struggling to get a deep latch or if you have a strong let-down of milk (Coulson, 2012).

6. Sometimes, feeding your baby while they’re sleepy or even asleep can be helpful. Many mums say that these ‘dream feeds’ can be very effective for a baby who is uninterested when awake (Pitman and Bennett, 2008).

7. You could try feeding your baby while rocking them or walking around, singing or playing with them or playing white noise or background music to them (Australian Breastfeeding Association, 2017).

8.  You might want to try feeding in a quiet room, away from distractions, as some babies are so keen to be involved that they limit their feeds (Gonzalez, 2014).

What can I do if I’ve tried everything but my baby still won’t breastfeed?

One of the key things to consider is maintaining your milk supply. You might need to consider expressing, either by hand or with a pump. You can find more information about expressing and storing your milk here.

Another consideration is making sure your baby is getting enough milk. How might you know how much milk your baby is getting, you might ask. The answer lies in their dirty and wet nappies. You can expect six wet nappies in 24 hours if your baby is over a week old (UNICEF, 2016). If you’re unsure, it’s best to ask for support from your health visitor, GP or NCT breastfeeding counsellor.

In the short term, you might need to look at alternative ways to feed your baby if you think they’re not getting enough milk. A newborn baby needs to be fed regularly and parents can use syringe or cup feeding as an alternative to a bottle in the early days (Flint et al, 2016; NHS, 2016).

If you decide to use a bottle, it might be helpful to feed with plenty of skin-to-skin contact (UNICEF, 2018). Gently offering the bottle to your baby by tickling their top lip, waiting for the wide-open gape might also help mimic a breastfeed (UNICEF, 2019). That can support the transition back to the breast.

Taking frequent breaks during the bottle feed, and perhaps swapping sides, can be helpful (UNICEF 2018). Continuing to have skin-to-skin time with your baby and allowing them access to the breast will help this. It’ll also be a bonding and calming experience for you both.

How can I deal with the stress of my baby refusing to breastfeed?

When a newborn refuses the breast, or an older baby goes through a nursing strike, it can be very upsetting for both you and your baby. You’re definitely not alone in struggling with the emotions of breastfeeding problems. So here are some tips that might help:

  1. Try to take time to enjoy plenty of extra cuddles and quiet time together.
  2. Many mums find a ‘babymoon’  helpful for allowing their baby access to the breast in a non-pressurised way. A babymoon means spending some hours together in a relaxed setting, such as lying down snuggling in bed. This can allow you to enjoy your baby without worrying about feeding.
  3. For older babies, some mums find that having a bath with their baby or bringing their baby into bed with them helps their baby to latch.
  4. Try to find some support from other mums and trained breastfeeding supporters. Chatting with other people about this can help to unburden the stresses and worries you might be feeling. Breast refusal is not uncommon and you might find that chatting to someone who understands is invaluable while you’re struggling.
  5. For many mums, time and patience can help the situation. Your baby’s instincts and behaviour can change and develop, especially in the early days.
  6. If you’re struggling, do contact the NCT Infant Feeding Line and speak to a breastfeeding counsellor. They’ll listen, offer you information and will support you to find your own path.

This page was last reviewed in August 2019.

Further information

NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.

National Breastfeeding Line (government funded): 0300 100 021.

NHS information on mastitis.

Best Beginnings - Bump to Breastfeeding DVD Chapter 7 'Overcoming Challenges'.

Healthtalkonline.org: Managing Breastfeeding – dealing with difficult times.
 

References

Australian for Breastfeeding Association (2017) Breast refusal. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/breast-refusal [Accessed 22nd February 2019]

BellyBelly. (2016) Breast refusal – 13 tips for a baby that refuses the breast.
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/breastfeeding/breast-refusal/ [Accessed 22nd February 2019]

Burbridge A. (2017) Nursing strikes. La Leche League GB. Available at: https://www.laleche.org.uk/nursing-strikes/ [Accessed 1st August 2019]

Coulson S. (2012) Biological nurturing: the laid-back breastfeeding revolution. Midwifery Today, 101 Available at: https://midwiferytoday.com/mt-articles/biological-nurturing/ [Accessed 1st August 2019]

Flint A, New K, Davies MW. (2016) Cup feeding versus other forms of supplemental enteral feeding for newborn infants unable to fully breastfeed. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (8):CD005092. Available from: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005092.pub3… [Accessed 1st August 2019]

Gonzalez C. (2014) Breastfeeding Made Easy. London: Pinter &Martin

LLLGB. (2016) My baby won’t breastfeed. Available at https://www.laleche.org.uk/my-baby-wont-breastfeed/ [Accessed 1st August 2019]

Mohrbacher N. (2013) Is your formerly nursing baby refusing to breastfeed? Breastfeeding Reporter Blog. Available at http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2013/1/26/is-your-formerly-nursing-baby-refusing-to-breastfeed.html?rq=refusing [Accessed 1st August 2019]

NICE. (2017) Breastfeeding problems. National Institute for health and Care Excellence, Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/breastfeeding-problems#!scenario [Accessed 1st August 2019]

Pitman T, Bennett H. (2008) 0-1 year: nursing strikes; breastfeeding while baby’s falling asleep may help end a nursing strike. Today’s Parent. 7:137.

Public Health England. (ND) Breastfeeding challenges. NHS, Start 4 life. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-challenges/reflux/ [Accessed 1st August 2019]

UNICEF. (2016) Breastfeeding checklist for mothers – How can I tell that breastfeeding is going well? UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative. Available at https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/10/mothers_breastfeeding_checklist.pdf [Accessed 1st August 2019]

UNICEF. (2018) Skin-to-skin contact. Available from: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/guidance-for-health-professionals/implementing-the-baby-friendly-standards/further-guidance-on-implementing-the-standards/skin-to-skin-contact/ [Accessed 1st August 2019]

UNICEF. (2019) Responsive bottle feeding. Available from: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/04/Infant-formula-and-responsive-bottle-feeding.pdf [Accessed 1st August 2019]

Why Baby May Suddenly Refuse the Breast

It's very rare for babies to wean themselves off the breast. So, if your baby suddenly seems reluctant to breastfeed, it might be what's referred to as a nursing strike. It signals that something is different-though not necessarily wrong-and has caught your baby's attention. Don't take it personally! Comfort your baby, and keep offering your breast. Before long, your baby will start nursing again. If they don't, reach out to your WIC breastfeeding staff for tips and support.

What might be the cause

Many moms are confused when their babies go on strike. Some common reason why babies may go on strike are:

  • Your baby is not feeling well. It could be from a cold, ear infection, stuffy nose, upset stomach, injury, teething, thrush, cold sore, or other reasons.
  • Your baby is upset. Maybe there is a big change in nursing routine, you were apart for a long time, or your baby's environment is uncomfortable.
  • Your baby is distracted. Perhaps there are fun things happening nearby.
  • Your baby is getting less milk from you. Supplemental bottles may cause milk production to drop, but there are other reasons for low milk supply as well.
  • You smell different. This can be from a new soap, deodorant, or perfume.
  • Your baby bit you while nursing. Your baby may pause breastfeeding if a bite caused you to react strongly, like a loud "ouch!"

What you can do

Don't worry. With your gentle persistence, the refusal will end. If your baby is less than 1 year old and has been breastfeeding well up to this point, chances are they're not ready to give up breastfeeding. Here's what to do:

  • Keep putting your baby to your breast. Try this when your baby shows hunger signs or seems sleepy, and just after your baby wakes up. If your baby is frustrated, stop and try again later.
  • Give your baby extra loving. Give your baby extra cuddles, touches, and comfort. Hold your baby skin to skin, and keep your baby close.
  • Pump or hand express your milk. Do so at the times your baby used to nurse. Feed your milk to your baby. That way, you will keep making enough milk and will be less likely to get plugged ducts or engorged breasts.
  • Try different nursing positions. A different breastfeeding position can make your baby more comfortable.
  • Nurse in a calm, quiet spot. Babies may strike when they are older, as they begin to notice the world. They may snack instead of nursing for long sessions. Try breastfeeding away from TV sounds and bright lights.
  • Keep your routine. Keep your baby's routine as regular as you can.
  • Visit your baby's doctor. Make sure there's not a medical cause for your baby not wanting to breastfeed, and ask for advice.

Above all, keep trying to breastfeed your baby. Your baby will most likely be breastfeeding again before you know it. Need help? Ask your WIC breastfeeding staff.

A child has a poor appetite: how parents themselves create this problem - Parents.ru

About nutritionEducation

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pinstock/Getty Images/iStockphoto

At 2. 5–3 years, feeding turns a baby into a real battle. “I don’t want soup, I won’t have cabbage soup!” - “Well, eat a spoonful for your mother ... I'll buy you a new ball! Just eat your porridge!” - "Kashu? A-ah-ah!!!" In the end, the very word "lunch" makes the unfortunate mother shudder nervously. And this battle seems endless... But it is finite. By the age of four, this problem should be gone. Unless the mothers and fathers themselves reinforce the baby's habit of whims at the table. nine0003

The desire to eat is a natural need of any organism, regardless of age, and a healthy child will eat. Only ... the love and fears of parents can prevent this. The reasons that make the baby refuse to eat can be different. We can help you identify and fix them. And then the child will always have a healthy appetite. And never again will he arrange a family dinner - a family scandal.

Who doesn't play doesn't eat

The simplest problem is when appetite is lost "for a while". That is, yesterday he ate a full bowl of porridge, and today he has two and a half spoons and does not intend to continue the meal in any way. This riddle is easy to explain. Yesterday, my son moved a lot, ran and jumped - and, of course, got hungry. And today, on the occasion of the rain, he watched TV all day or drove cars on the floor - and he needs less food to restore strength. nine0003

At different times of the year, under different circumstances, children need different amounts of food. But fathers, mothers, and especially compassionate grandmothers often do not notice this obvious truth. “You are so skinny! Because you don't eat well! A healthy boy should eat more!” It also happens that the children played together, and then the daughter of a girlfriend eats porridge with pleasure, and your son sluggishly picks at the plate with a spoon. There is nothing wrong with this either. Children have different needs, and this does not affect their health in any way. nine0003

But the adult population of our hospitable country somewhere deep in the subconscious lives fear. “Why are you eating so badly? You must be sick! And even if you are absolutely healthy, you will definitely get sick. Because you will not have enough vitamins, minerals, proteins and other useful substances.

This is not so. Children perfectly feel the needs of their body. And they know how much they need to eat now. Such experiments have been carried out. The babies were allowed to choose their own food for 1–2 weeks. Someone chose a little bit of everything, someone attacked vegetables, someone - fish, some ate less, some more. As a result, it turned out that each baby gained the necessary balance of vitamins - minerals - proteins - fats - carbohydrates per week. nine0003

Unconscious resentment often mingles with the groundless fears of parents. “I cooked delicious porridge for my beloved daughter, tried, spent four hours, and you refuse!” As a result, a frightened and offended mother wants to force the child to eat by any means, experiences stress, starts screaming, trying to force “another spoon” into the baby by force or cunning. And the child develops a negative attitude towards such forced feeding, and the problem becomes much more serious. nine0003

Always remain calm. Do not worry if the baby "ate badly today." For his body, this is just right today. You can offer to eat, but not force.

If a child suddenly loses his appetite for no apparent reason, check if he is healthy. In a sick child, normal appetite really disappears, but this also benefits him. The body mobilizes reserves not to digest food, but to fight the disease. And in this case, don't worry. Otherwise, your excitement will be transferred to the baby. And the child will recover faster if he is sure: everything is in order, he will recover. This confidence is given by close people. nine0003

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Getty Images/iStockphoto

Are you worried about your baby's appetite?

  • Make sure the baby is healthy. If in doubt, visit a doctor.

  • Don't worry too much. If you are still worried, weigh your baby every six months to make sure that he is gaining weight "as it should. "

  • Do you think you buy soda, chips and chocolates too often? No wonder he doesn't want to have dinner. Limit purchases of treats. nine0003

  • Only cook healthy meals.

  • Buy, together with your baby, a new plate with a picture on the bottom, a comfortable spoon.

  • Organize the time so that the child moves a lot: outdoor games, physical, age-appropriate work.

  • Record what, when and how much he ate, what he asked for. Start a "Food Diary" and write down your observations there: what and how much the child ate per day.

A spoon for mom, a spoon for… candy?

Second option. A quick-witted kid knows perfectly well: he will not remain hungry. But how mother will worry because of his whims! For allowing yourself to feed so many useful things you can bargain. In other words, your smart girl realized: at the dinner table, you can twist ropes from your mother. And after all Viet! And provokes him to whims . .. mother herself. Remember, have you never bargained, promising candy, a new saber, going to the zoo and other mountains of gold - "just eat the soup." nine0003

What happens next? "Struggle" and bargaining at the table will turn into an end in itself for the child. Carried away by such amusing mockery of his mother, he will forget how to listen to the desires of his body. And he will be capricious and refuse to eat - even if he is really hungry.

Do not bargain! If the kid is always naughty at the table, firmness and ... creative ingenuity will help. At 3 years old, it is important for a child to realize his right to choose. So let him choose... in the little things. You don't care if he eats black or white bread, with or without butter, with or without sour cream. And the kid will be happy to demonstrate his independence. If the child still refuses both alternatives, remove the plates. Everything, the third is not given. nine0003

Don't devote all your attention to your baby at dinner. You can eat at the same time. The child must understand: either I eat what they give, or I remain hungry. Show by your behavior that you don’t worry a bit ... And take away sandwiches, cookies at the same time - everything that he can have a bite to eat. When he wants to eat, let him sit down at the table again. And he eats.

More humane to gourmets

Of course, almost any kid would prefer candy to soup, and ice cream to cauliflower. That is, he will choose more delicious, from his point of view, dishes. They are usually less useful. And such whims should not be encouraged. Starting to fulfill all the requirements of the baby for food, you will go broke. Besides, it is very harmful! nine0003

But, on the other hand, it may turn out that the child likes borscht more than soup, potatoes more than noodles. And he simply organically does not tolerate dumplings. It is likely that there are delicious foods that your baby can not stand.

Two-year-old Masha got to the pack of butter. And without hesitation began to eat it. When the adults discovered Masha, there was already half a pack less oil. This case did not affect the girl's health in any way. But since then, even the sight of oil causes Masha a persistent disgust. You can't force her to eat sandwiches with him. And you shouldn't do it. nine0003

Or the well-known "cold semolina with lumps". This phrase, even in adults, evokes vivid memories and slight panic. If the kid tells with horror that he is forced to eat this “delicacy” in kindergarten every morning, talk to the teacher. Ask her at least not to force the child to finish eating this porridge.

Find out how your baby eats in kindergarten, observe his preferences at a party, in a cafe... If he stoically refuses some dishes, and stubbornly prefers only one of the two "equally healthy" - these are not whims, but natural desires. You can meet him halfway, often (but, of course, not always) cook "his favorites." nine0003

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Richard Drury/Getty Images/Digital Vision

Make food a cult!

Don't

  • Force a child to eat when he doesn't want to.

  • Overfeed and give too large portions. It is better to put an additive if asked. And at the same time be surprised and praise the child.

  • Turn lunch into a show, entertain with fairy tales, books and toys in the hope of distracting the child and putting “one more spoonful” into the capricious mouth. This is harmful and forms the wrong attitude to food in the baby. nine0003

  • Intimidate (“If you eat badly, you won’t grow up big”, etc.)

  • Always offer food only of your choice, ignoring the opinion of the child.

  • Bargain ("Until you eat, there will be no walks").

  • Show your extreme concern, be nervous.

  • Complain loudly about a child's poor appetite, especially in the presence of a child.

  • Behaving impolitely, such as dragging a child to the table when he is busy playing or very busy with his own affairs. Be respectful: let them know in advance that lunch is coming up, and give your child a chance to finish the game in peace. nine0003

  • Watch TV while eating.

  • Treat dinner as an urgent job, feed “at speed”, trying to “throw” food into the baby as soon as possible. If you are hungry, but cannot eat in parallel with the child, it is better to eat yourself first.

It is necessary

  • Create traditions. A two-year-old kid, sitting on a high chair, can already participate in family dinners. He will be happy to imitate adults who eat, sitting with the whole friendly family, in a good mood. The kid is on an equal footing with you: he has his place, his feasible duties (for example, decorate the table with a flower) and his right to choose. nine0003

  • Invite him to set the table. At 2.5 years old, the baby can already put napkins and spoons on the table.

  • Involve the child in cooking. He can sprinkle cereals, pick dill with his fingers.

  • Organize dinners for dolls. Let the baby feel himself the main and responsible for "feeding" his favorite toys.

  • Make the kitchen (dining room) such a place where the baby is always pleased to be.

  • Introduce new dishes carefully and accurately. Babies are conservative eaters. In the spring, for the first time, you put greens in the soup, wanting to please your daughter, and she, having barely tasted it, refuses to eat at all. Or he won't take tea with lemon in his mouth. The new taste frightens her, she dislikes it.

  • Eat most with pleasure.

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Katkov/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Caliph for an hour

Food whims can be a symptom of a much bigger problem. At a party, he even eats porridge with great pleasure, but at home he refuses sweet pie and pancakes? And every time food refusals occur with you. And you, of course, react sharply to this: worry, ask, worry, persuade, demand . .. But the baby needs it: you worry, take care of him, he becomes the center of your interests and your attention. At least for lunch time... Apparently, the rest of the time he does not have enough attention. He lacks hugs, joint games and activities. Perhaps he is jealous of a younger brother or sister. And then he himself becomes "younger" - you persuade him, feed him with a spoon. In this way, the baby reminds himself. Translating from a child's language into an adult, he asks: Mom, stay with me, take your mind off your worries and work, I miss you! nine0003

We need to be a little strict. But, on the other hand, accept such behavior as a declaration of love to you. And answer it. How? Make time for him, play with him, arrange a dinner for two people - you and the baby. In a word, how did you do it when he was very, very small.

More useful materials about proper baby nutrition - in our channel on Yandex.Zen.

Zaryana Nekrasova

The child does not eat well: the main reasons why the child refuses to eat and advice on what to do about it

<< Lead>

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اpe Popova,

Solo-parent, younger kindergarten group,
student Neufeld Institute

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Little products, caprocyers, lovers of exactly two products , children who feel sick in any incomprehensible situation - each of us, if we do not raise such a child, then we have encountered these picky children with girlfriends, or maybe we ourselves were like that in childhood. But why does the child eat little or refuse to eat at all? The reasons can be very different: from constant snacking and insufficient feeling of hunger to dependence on sugar. nine0003

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The main reasons children refuse to eat
I didn’t have time to get hungry because I bite

These children eat all the time, but by a teaspoon. They refuse a bowl of soup and pasta with a cutlet, and it is generally quite difficult to seat them at dinner. In the dining room, they prefer to chew bread and drink compote. At home, they report that they are not hungry, grab a piece of an apple, drink yogurt an hour later, then eat half of the morning sandwich, have a snack with glazed cheese, ask for a banana or cookies for an afternoon snack. Thus, their stomach is constantly working, but by the time they eat, they are always not hungry enough to eat fully. nine0003

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Feels discomfort when eating

Many children obediently sit down at the table and put the spoon on the plate, but after 15 minutes their portion does not decrease much, they mumble that they do not want to eat and everything is tasteless to them. In my own experience, it is often a matter of teeth and bite problems. If a child was kept for a long time in early childhood on canned food, smoothies, grated purees and jelly, then he could simply not learn to chew adult food, and the chewing muscles did not develop properly. Slowly growing molars, caries, increased sensitivity to cold and hot, malocclusion, in which chewing teeth do not meet well or are located at the wrong angle - all this causes discomfort when eating and makes the child shy away from this unpleasant activity. nine0003

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A habit of eating only sweets

The only innate human preference is the sweet taste, since glucose is the easiest source of carbohydrates, that is, energy. Children get hooked on sweets at breakneck speed, and this is especially facilitated by a huge selection of children's sweet breakfasts in the form of cereals, cocoa, children's cookies, juice boxes and curds. Another obstacle to a healthy diet is the older generation. Grandmothers are most often convinced that a child will not eat porridge without jam, kefir without sugar, at least two tablespoons of sand in tea, and it’s a sin not to treat candy for good behavior. I know stories when children sent to their grandmothers for the summer gained 10 kilograms in a couple of months, which eventually became the reason for contacting a pediatric endocrinologist. nine0003 How to teach a child to love his body

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This question is quite acute in many families, especially if the child already has pocket money, which he prefers to buy only sweets and fast food.

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Has problems with the gastrointestinal tract

Unfortunately, very, very often food refusal or eating disorders are signs of gastroduodenitis, biliary dyskinesia and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Children are rarely able to describe something more specific than "tummy ache." But if food refusals, the desire to lie down and curl up after dinner, nausea and abdominal pain occur frequently, then this is a clear signal for going to a gastroenterologist. nine0003

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What to do if your child refuses to eat

Once you understand the cause of your child's malnutrition, it's time to take action: build new eating habits and fine-tune eating behavior, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack schedules. Here are specific solutions for each of the causes of malnutrition.

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If he bites

All possible snacks are removed. A plate of fruit goes to the closet or to the top shelf of the refrigerator, cheese is given out strictly after dinner, yogurt goes for breakfast, complete with muesli. Ideally, you can keep the kids out of the kitchen between meals and keep cookies, pears, and chocolates from being dragged into the room. A radical solution may be the absence of any snacks and yogurts at home for the period that the fight against biting is announced. If no food enters the child’s stomach from 8 to 13 o’clock, he will dine with great enthusiasm, and he will begin to feel hungry for meals – remember how you want to eat before dinner in a children’s camp, where all the food is by the hour. nine0003

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If food causes discomfort

It is physically difficult for a child to eat food, or he has problems with diction, speaks indistinctly, prefers to mumble and keep silent, barely opens his mouth - clear reasons not to delay a visit to a children's orthodontist. Problems that are quite easily corrected at preschool and primary school age, already in a teenager will require much longer and more expensive treatment, not to mention the fact that bite pathologies can affect not only the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, but also the spine. nine0003

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If you are addicted to sugar

The solution for those with a sweet tooth is also radical: sugar should be limited without pity, otherwise not only spoiled taste and hypoglycemia with accompanying mood swings, but also more serious diseases like diabetes may loom ahead. There is no need to expel all sugary foods from the home or to scare children with a lifelong disability. It is much more effective to arrange a joint family viewing of the documentary "Sugar" (2014, Damon Gamo), where all the consequences of daily consumption of sweets are interestingly and clearly understood. nine0003

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Complete the game
Spacefox Mission: The Universe in Your Plate and get free access to courses

My family has one sweet day (and it's not Sunday, but Tuesday, so that we have a holiday in the middle of the week) . On this day, the child can choose any cake or chocolate bar and eat it without sharing it with anyone. The secret is that there are no sweets at home on the rest of the day, and when on a sweet day you have to go to a store or cafe specifically to choose a tasty treat, the child relatively easily gets used to the fact that this food is something exceptional that we don’t eat on other days. An important nuance: parents will also have to, if not limit sweets in food, then at least hide the extent of their consumption from children. nine0003

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If there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract

Do not wait until it goes away by itself, but make a check-up on the general condition of the child and seek advice from a gastroenterologist.

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Is it possible to force a child to eat? As soon as the child becomes able to hold a spoon or fork in his hands, parents should not control the amount eaten. You definitely shouldn't force your child to eat everything. Force-feeding creates an aversion to food and creates unhealthy eating behavior in the future. nine0003 Good habits, or How to stay healthy

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Things to remember

1. Do not force a child to eat. It is necessary to deal with the reasons: why he began to eat less, refuses to eat. Understanding the causes will help you find the right approach to solving the problem.
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2. The main principle of education is to do as I do. Become an example for your child in nutrition and do not demand from him something opposite to what you do yourself. nine0211 ‍

3. Eating behavior is a matter of habit, therefore, if some innovations cause an internal violent protest in a child, one must wait, try again and again.

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