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How To Deal With Poor Eating Habits In Children?
Question: Dear Doctor
My 5 year daughter named XXXXXXX is very underweight. Her weight is 15.3 KGs. Her birth weight was 2.97 KGs. She is going to school.
She skips her breakfast during week days and gives various different reasons for not having lunch. primary reason is that she didn't get time to eat. she is a slow eater. Her lunch is totally out of her choice. Earlier she used to carry food like chapati/puri n potato/ banana. Now she ask for cake n biscuits. But she brings her food back with one byte or as it is.
We try to feed her before leaving for school, but she feels that she will vomit if she will eat.
Please guide.
My 5 year daughter named XXXXXXX is very underweight. Her weight is 15.3 KGs. Her birth weight was 2.97 KGs. She is going to school.
She skips her breakfast during week days and gives various different reasons for not having lunch. primary reason is that she didn't get time to eat. she is a slow eater. Her lunch is totally out of her choice. Earlier she used to carry food like chapati/puri n potato/ banana. Now she ask for cake n biscuits. But she brings her food back with one byte or as it is.
We try to feed her before leaving for school, but she feels that she will vomit if she will eat.
Please guide.
Brief Answer:
Do not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I completely understand your concerns but do not worry. This age kids are prone to poor feeding habits. I completely agree with the advice given by your doctor. You may try the following measures for helping her out:
- Give her healthy feeds including 3 meals and 2 snacks.
- ensure taking her opinion after giving healthy choices before deciding meals and snacks for her. Ensure attractive presentation and avoid forced feeding.
- Avoid refined sugar such as chocolates, excess biscuits, carbonated drinks, juices etc. Give good quantity of fruits, veggies and fluids.
- check her for any vitamin and mineral deficiency by blood test especially CBC and peripheral smear, ESR along with 25(OH) D3 at laboratory. You may upload the reports for my reference.
- You may start her on Syp. Bevon and Syp. Activate to boost up her appetite.
Hopefully it will be of interest.
Take care
Do not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I completely understand your concerns but do not worry. This age kids are prone to poor feeding habits. I completely agree with the advice given by your doctor. You may try the following measures for helping her out:
- Give her healthy feeds including 3 meals and 2 snacks.
- ensure taking her opinion after giving healthy choices before deciding meals and snacks for her. Ensure attractive presentation and avoid forced feeding.
- Avoid refined sugar such as chocolates, excess biscuits, carbonated drinks, juices etc. Give good quantity of fruits, veggies and fluids.
- check her for any vitamin and mineral deficiency by blood test especially CBC and peripheral smear, ESR along with 25(OH) D3 at laboratory. You may upload the reports for my reference.
- You may start her on Syp. Bevon and Syp. Activate to boost up her appetite.
Hopefully it will be of interest.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thanks a lot Doctor for such prompt and detailed reply.
She takes 2 Meals and a 1 snack (glass of milk (flavored at home)) and also she is fond of sweets. So she sometimes takes one piece of sweet.
Mostly (90%) she takes healthy food.
But how to add meals and snacks in her day. One idea is attractive presentation. I will certainly try that.
Is it true that she actually feels like vomiting or its just an sure shot idea of saying no to food? How to beat that excuse, please suggest.
She takes 2 Meals and a 1 snack (glass of milk (flavored at home)) and also she is fond of sweets. So she sometimes takes one piece of sweet.
Mostly (90%) she takes healthy food.
But how to add meals and snacks in her day. One idea is attractive presentation. I will certainly try that.
Is it true that she actually feels like vomiting or its just an sure shot idea of saying no to food? How to beat that excuse, please suggest.
Brief Answer:
Give her Albendazole and junior lanzol
Detailed Answer:
Hi
If she is complaining of nausea during meal times, then the reason could be worm infestation or gastritis. You may give her Syp. Albendazole (400 mg tonight and after 15 days) for deworming. Lanzol junior can be given once daily for gastritis if nausea persists. Start bevon and aptivate as I suggested earlier. (It's aptivate and not activate)
Also, ensure that her lab tests are done. Kindly upload the reports for my reference.
Take care
Give her Albendazole and junior lanzol
Detailed Answer:
Hi
If she is complaining of nausea during meal times, then the reason could be worm infestation or gastritis. You may give her Syp. Albendazole (400 mg tonight and after 15 days) for deworming. Lanzol junior can be given once daily for gastritis if nausea persists. Start bevon and aptivate as I suggested earlier. (It's aptivate and not activate)
Also, ensure that her lab tests are done. Kindly upload the reports for my reference.
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. Prasad
Answered by
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