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What Causes Lack Of Appetite In An Infant?
Question: Hi, My daughter is running 13 months of age, and is a active baby. But she has huge fuss while eating, and does not have appetite to eat anything. We almost force feed her breakfast, lunch and dinner with lot of dedication and using distraction methods. We consulted 2 doctors, first one suggested aptivate syrup to be taken 30 mins prior food. (twice) But while the syrup is given she gets continuous hicupss for a while, and few times she vomits the next meal.
2nd doctor gave livosin tonic, which we have not tried yet. Pls suggest what is the remedy to increase her appetite.
2nd doctor gave livosin tonic, which we have not tried yet. Pls suggest what is the remedy to increase her appetite.
Brief Answer:
Do not give routine feeds. Wait for her to become hungry
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
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 her and not yours.
* Try to avoid any minor feeds between meals. They take the appetite away.
* Restrict the number of times she 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 her 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
Do not give routine feeds. Wait for her to become hungry
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
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 her and not yours.
* Try to avoid any minor feeds between meals. They take the appetite away.
* Restrict the number of times she 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 her 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
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
She is lean and we have tried your suggestion but she do not cry entire day or have any urge. This continues for entire day and later if we try to feed a little after many hours, she vomits out due to excessive gas.
Thus we are left with no option but to force feed 3 meal a day.
Thus we are left with no option but to force feed 3 meal a day.
Brief Answer:
Force feeding will only increase the apathy to food.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I understand the situation. Unfortunately this is a condition that a lot of parents face. I would insist you not to bother about her lean-ness. Unless the body build of the parents is significantly on the other side I do not suppose that lean-ness is something to be concerned about. However, I would insist you to search and download a growth chart (weight for age and height for age) for appropriate age and sex and to plot the measurements periodically on the growth chart. It will indicate whether weight gain is proper.
I would still insist you not to force feed the baby. Let the child go hungry for a number of hours. Do not let any small intake in the meantime. After that take the child along when you have your food. Give her food while you eat. I am quite certain that her apathy will reduce and her feeding will improve.
Regards
Force feeding will only increase the apathy to food.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I understand the situation. Unfortunately this is a condition that a lot of parents face. I would insist you not to bother about her lean-ness. Unless the body build of the parents is significantly on the other side I do not suppose that lean-ness is something to be concerned about. However, I would insist you to search and download a growth chart (weight for age and height for age) for appropriate age and sex and to plot the measurements periodically on the growth chart. It will indicate whether weight gain is proper.
I would still insist you not to force feed the baby. Let the child go hungry for a number of hours. Do not let any small intake in the meantime. After that take the child along when you have your food. Give her food while you eat. I am quite certain that her apathy will reduce and her feeding will improve.
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. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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