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Hello Sir/Madam, My 16 Mo Son Is Refusing To Eat
Posted on
Sun, 24 Feb 2019
Sun, 24 Feb 2019
Answered on
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello Sir/Madam, my 16 mo son is refusing to eat anything. He doesnt take even one spoon of milk. We were giving him khichdi daal chawal and cerelac but now he has stopped it totally and gets irritable if pursued. Its continuing for 10 days. No fever loose stool urine changes or anything. He doesnt even take cake biscuits or chocolates. Plz suggest.
Brief Answer:
The urge should be his, not yours
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Incidentally your problem is not unique. Children are often fussy eaters. My suggestions for you would be:
* Do not force feed the baby. This will increase the child's apathy towards food. Rather wait for the child to get hungry. At times you may have to wait several hours. Be patient. The urge should be his and not yours.
* Try to avoid any minor feeds between meals. They take the appetite away.
* Restrict the number of times he receives breast feed (if at all). Limit breast milk intake to not more than thrice daily.
* Treat the child as a member of family and make him dine together with others. Even if the child is not eating, make him sit with others while they take their meal.
* Keep the meal amounts small and keep other food items readily available for the child to pick up. For example, keep fruits ready to be picked up from the table.
* Please be informed that there are NO syrups, medicines or tonics that can help in changing the situation. I would insist you not to go for any one of them.
* The way out might not be easy. But remember that you need to reduce your botheration. With careful improvisations I am sure that the situation would improve.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
The urge should be his, not yours
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Incidentally your problem is not unique. Children are often fussy eaters. My suggestions for you would be:
* Do not force feed the baby. This will increase the child's apathy towards food. Rather wait for the child to get hungry. At times you may have to wait several hours. Be patient. The urge should be his and not yours.
* Try to avoid any minor feeds between meals. They take the appetite away.
* Restrict the number of times he receives breast feed (if at all). Limit breast milk intake to not more than thrice daily.
* Treat the child as a member of family and make him dine together with others. Even if the child is not eating, make him sit with others while they take their meal.
* Keep the meal amounts small and keep other food items readily available for the child to pick up. For example, keep fruits ready to be picked up from the table.
* Please be informed that there are NO syrups, medicines or tonics that can help in changing the situation. I would insist you not to go for any one of them.
* The way out might not be easy. But remember that you need to reduce your botheration. With careful improvisations I am sure that the situation would improve.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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