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How Can We Build An Appetite For Solid Foods In A Toddler?
Question: Hi,
My son is 2.5 yrs old now with 14.5 kgs weight. He must be around 95cms height. He is not eating any foods at all. Even if we force him to eat he cries & spits out the food. He gets hunger but wants milk, juice or some liquid foods only. But he eats home made snacks (have not introduced him chocolate kind of ready made items yet).
We have been preparing some powder using nuts (or) wheat (or) Ragi, mixing it with little milk & give him when he asks for milk - atleast some alternative for milk always.
He was eating very well on whatever food we prepare at home till his 2 years of age and it is completely changed now.
Please help on how to make the child eat, De-worm is done 3 weeks back. Is there any other alternative that we can give him? Also when will he start normal home foods again?
Thanks
My son is 2.5 yrs old now with 14.5 kgs weight. He must be around 95cms height. He is not eating any foods at all. Even if we force him to eat he cries & spits out the food. He gets hunger but wants milk, juice or some liquid foods only. But he eats home made snacks (have not introduced him chocolate kind of ready made items yet).
We have been preparing some powder using nuts (or) wheat (or) Ragi, mixing it with little milk & give him when he asks for milk - atleast some alternative for milk always.
He was eating very well on whatever food we prepare at home till his 2 years of age and it is completely changed now.
Please help on how to make the child eat, De-worm is done 3 weeks back. Is there any other alternative that we can give him? Also when will he start normal home foods again?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
He is growing well. Cut milk.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
For his age his height and weight is very good in fact.
My main advice is to decrease milk. Only 2 glasses per day each 150ml. Kids who are given more milk tend to be lazy and hesitant to chew and eat. The only option is to decrease milk dependence.
Once you decrease milk intake, he may behave cranky for a days. Do wait patiently, this will gradually make him eat solids or semisolids. Even if he doesn't eat for 8 to 10 hours, nothing will happen. He needs to know that milk alone cannot be the main food.
Deworming with albendazole is recommended every 6 months.
Regards,
Dr. Arun
He is growing well. Cut milk.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
For his age his height and weight is very good in fact.
My main advice is to decrease milk. Only 2 glasses per day each 150ml. Kids who are given more milk tend to be lazy and hesitant to chew and eat. The only option is to decrease milk dependence.
Once you decrease milk intake, he may behave cranky for a days. Do wait patiently, this will gradually make him eat solids or semisolids. Even if he doesn't eat for 8 to 10 hours, nothing will happen. He needs to know that milk alone cannot be the main food.
Deworming with albendazole is recommended every 6 months.
Regards,
Dr. Arun
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Last week i have cut down milk so much and gave him only once in the morning - still he was reluctant to eat solids - does it take so much time then?
Or should we cut down the ones he eats comfortably to fill his tummy like liquids? When I stopped milk he then asked for juice - now some drinks made of ragi, wheat or almond.
Thanks.
Or should we cut down the ones he eats comfortably to fill his tummy like liquids? When I stopped milk he then asked for juice - now some drinks made of ragi, wheat or almond.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
All drinks have to be cut down.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, it does take time. You have to stop giving him juices and drinks like you mentioned. Keep it maximum once a day. Say for example, milk twice daily, juice or ragi drink once daily.
Not more than that.
Avoid powdering foods in a mixer. Make him eat on his own from his plate or your plate. Eat together as a family. Avoid distractions like TV, mobile phone during meal time.
Regards,
Dr. Arun
All drinks have to be cut down.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, it does take time. You have to stop giving him juices and drinks like you mentioned. Keep it maximum once a day. Say for example, milk twice daily, juice or ragi drink once daily.
Not more than that.
Avoid powdering foods in a mixer. Make him eat on his own from his plate or your plate. Eat together as a family. Avoid distractions like TV, mobile phone during meal time.
Regards,
Dr. Arun
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. Vaishalee Punj
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