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What Causes Lack Of Appetite In Children?
Question: hello, my 32 months old daughter never interested in eating and always we have to push her for all meals. Due which she is underweight, 10.5 kgs. It seems she doesn't feel hungry. I recently saw a product online, pediakid apetite gain syrup, (pic attached), I found reviews good online, is it safe to give this syrup to my kid? please suggest. If yes, in what quantity?
Brief Answer:
A step by step systematic approach needs to be taken
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:
* 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.
* You can feel free to give this Pediakid Syrup a try but let me mention that the claims are not evidence based and many of the reviews that you read could actually be paid reviews. My personal opinion would be not to fall for these but in case you want to go ahead with it, just follow the package insert or the instructions.
* 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.
* Visit a dietician and discuss the scenario so that she can design a calorie-dense diet chart in accordance to the preferences of the child.
* The build of a child depends upon the build of the parents. If you and your spouse were thin in your childhood you cannot expect your child to be otherwise.
* Try to avoid any minor feeds between meals. They take the appetite away.
* 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.
* Take the child along with you while you go to fetch groceries. Pick fruits and vegetables as per his choice (ask for his choice). Make food preparations using those food items. The child is more likely to eat those without a fuss.
* Award the child a star for every day be feeds well. After he collects a certain number of stars, promise him some non-food reward like extra sleep time or something that you would possibly have given him anyway (a pencil, eraser etc. of his choice).
Feel free to write back.
Regards
A step by step systematic approach needs to be taken
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:
* 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.
* You can feel free to give this Pediakid Syrup a try but let me mention that the claims are not evidence based and many of the reviews that you read could actually be paid reviews. My personal opinion would be not to fall for these but in case you want to go ahead with it, just follow the package insert or the instructions.
* 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.
* Visit a dietician and discuss the scenario so that she can design a calorie-dense diet chart in accordance to the preferences of the child.
* The build of a child depends upon the build of the parents. If you and your spouse were thin in your childhood you cannot expect your child to be otherwise.
* Try to avoid any minor feeds between meals. They take the appetite away.
* 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.
* Take the child along with you while you go to fetch groceries. Pick fruits and vegetables as per his choice (ask for his choice). Make food preparations using those food items. The child is more likely to eat those without a fuss.
* Award the child a star for every day be feeds well. After he collects a certain number of stars, promise him some non-food reward like extra sleep time or something that you would possibly have given him anyway (a pencil, eraser etc. of his choice).
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. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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