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Suggest Remedy For Low Appetite In A 3 Year Old
Question: Low appetite_poor intake (food)
my 3 year old daughter has very low appetite_poor intake. She doesnt show any interest to have food, any type. each and every time her mom has to spend minimum of one hour to fill her. But she takes more water. She hasn't diagnosed with any birth defects. @ age of 3 years her weight is just 11 kgs. We are worried about her food intake. Please asdvise if we need to start any medications (improve the appetite) / other recomedations. Should we go abdoment scan?
my 3 year old daughter has very low appetite_poor intake. She doesnt show any interest to have food, any type. each and every time her mom has to spend minimum of one hour to fill her. But she takes more water. She hasn't diagnosed with any birth defects. @ age of 3 years her weight is just 11 kgs. We are worried about her food intake. Please asdvise if we need to start any medications (improve the appetite) / other recomedations. Should we go abdoment scan?
Brief Answer:
Make eating times more fun rather than punishments
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to the HCM
I completely understand your concerns but don't worry. It's very common complaint in this age group. If illness is not the cause of the appetite loss, there are several reasons why your child may not be eating properly.
The causes may include:
-your child is eating between meals
-your child is drinking juice, chocolates, sweets or other liquids (other than water) between meals.
-your child is exerting less energy than usual.
For children over 1 year old, appetites increase and decrease according to age, energy levels, periods of growth, and temperament.
Eating in a healthy, positive atmosphere helps children to develop healthy attitudes about food and themselves. Eating together is one way to help your child develop healthy attitudes about food.
When you prepare your child’s meal, try to include food from each of the four major food groups:
-Whole grain products such as breads, pasta, rice, cereals, and other grain products enriched with iron, folic acid and other B vitamins, including niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin.
-Offer your child lots of vegetables and fruit in bite-sized portions.
-Milk, yoghurt, cheese and other dairy products offer a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, calcium and vitamin D.
-Lean meats, poultry, and fish, as well as tofu, beans, and lentils provide your child’s body with proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals (such as iron).
-Your child may have his favourite foods, but new foods can be introduced little by little. Be prepared for your child to reject new foods at first.
Mealtimes should be a pleasant time for the entire family. It is not a good idea to coerce and force your child to eat against his will. It may discourage your child from eating that particular food in the future.
Follow the “division of responsibility”: as a parent, you are responsible for the “what” of feeding. Your baby is responsible for everything else—when, where, how much, how fast. Make mealtime fun.
Serve small portions frequently. Avoid distractions such as television at mealtimes.
You may give her Syp. Bevon( 5 ml once daily) to boost her appetite. Also, give her Syp. Albendazole (400 mg) single dose for deworming.
Hopefully this will help you. I would be happy to help you in any further questions.
Take care
Make eating times more fun rather than punishments
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to the HCM
I completely understand your concerns but don't worry. It's very common complaint in this age group. If illness is not the cause of the appetite loss, there are several reasons why your child may not be eating properly.
The causes may include:
-your child is eating between meals
-your child is drinking juice, chocolates, sweets or other liquids (other than water) between meals.
-your child is exerting less energy than usual.
For children over 1 year old, appetites increase and decrease according to age, energy levels, periods of growth, and temperament.
Eating in a healthy, positive atmosphere helps children to develop healthy attitudes about food and themselves. Eating together is one way to help your child develop healthy attitudes about food.
When you prepare your child’s meal, try to include food from each of the four major food groups:
-Whole grain products such as breads, pasta, rice, cereals, and other grain products enriched with iron, folic acid and other B vitamins, including niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin.
-Offer your child lots of vegetables and fruit in bite-sized portions.
-Milk, yoghurt, cheese and other dairy products offer a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, calcium and vitamin D.
-Lean meats, poultry, and fish, as well as tofu, beans, and lentils provide your child’s body with proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals (such as iron).
-Your child may have his favourite foods, but new foods can be introduced little by little. Be prepared for your child to reject new foods at first.
Mealtimes should be a pleasant time for the entire family. It is not a good idea to coerce and force your child to eat against his will. It may discourage your child from eating that particular food in the future.
Follow the “division of responsibility”: as a parent, you are responsible for the “what” of feeding. Your baby is responsible for everything else—when, where, how much, how fast. Make mealtime fun.
Serve small portions frequently. Avoid distractions such as television at mealtimes.
You may give her Syp. Bevon( 5 ml once daily) to boost her appetite. Also, give her Syp. Albendazole (400 mg) single dose for deworming.
Hopefully this will help you. I would be happy to help you in any further questions.
Take care
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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