The child does not eat what to do? Tips for Parents and Doctors

The poor appetite of the child is always the cause of heightened anxiety of the parents. Do not panic. Initially, it is necessary to understand why the baby refuses to eat. Often, problems with appetite in children have a psychological nature. If the child does not eat, but at the same time feels great and does not act up, most likely there is no cause for concern. But to consult with the pediatrician is still worth it.

Imaginary lack of appetite

Often, the baby eats perfectly, gaining weight, but my mother at the same time believes that the child eats very poorly. It is believed that proper nutrition should consist of breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. If a child misses at least one of these components, then it feeds badly. In fact, this is an erroneous opinion, which has been formed for many years. It is necessary to eat as much food as the body requires. It is very important that the child's diet includes all the useful microelements and vitamins. The number of products consumed per day does not matter.

Each organism is individual. In children, metabolism takes place differently. One child can feel hungry already two hours after a full-fledged feeding, the other will not want to eat all day. Children who have a slow metabolism can eat much less food at a time. A small number of products will be enough for them to replenish energy.

The main indicator of normal nutrition is the baby's well-being. If he is active, does not lag behind in development, happily communicates with peers, worry about poor appetite is not worth it. It's more complicated with babies. To determine if enough food for the baby, it is worth to test for wet diapers. For this, one day will have to give up diapers. If the baby feeds properly, during the day, mom will swap diapers at least 15 times. If the diapers remain dry for three hours, there is cause for concern.

The child protests

Even adults often protest using a hunger strike. If the child does not eat anything during the day, perhaps he is dissatisfied with something. With the help of giving up food, a small person tries to attract the attention of others: "I will not eat anything until I do what I want." This is one way of manipulating parents. There can be many reasons for protest. If a child's family is accustomed to educating too severely, he can express dissatisfaction with the help of giving up food on an intuitive level. The kid will unquestioningly carry out the will of the parents so as not to get punished. But problems with appetite avoiding is unlikely to succeed.

If the baby in the family is surrounded by excessive care and attention, there may also be problems with eating. The child does not eat if he wants more space. Children in such families often grow up to be selfish and capricious. They get used to what's going on as they want. The child does not want to eat soup - does not eat! And if the baby wants a cake and juice, the parents gladly fulfill his whim.

If the family has a difficult situation, parents are constantly swearing, or generally live separately from each other, little attention is paid to the child. This is another reason for not eating. For the same reason, the baby does not eat the lure. If mom is nervous, the baby will be restless. He will endeavor to stay longer with the breast or beloved bottle. The sucking reflex calms the nursery children. But a cold spoon, even with a delicious cereal, can not always soothe.

If medical reasons are excluded, it is worth investigating why the child does not eat. Why can he protest? Perhaps it makes sense to turn to a psychologist.

The kid is uncomfortable at the table

Often the kid refuses food only because he is uncomfortable in the kitchen. Perhaps the room is too dark, or the table is very high for the baby. As a result, the child becomes tired during meals. The result may be a lack of appetite. Another reason for not eating can be the behavior of other family members at the table. At many children already in the early childhood develops disgust. If the next person sitting at mealtime chomps or pieces of food remain on the face, the child may lose the desire to eat.

From early childhood you need to teach your children to use cutlery. However, it should be done gradually. First of all, the child must learn to use a spoon. Forcing a small family member to eat by all the rules of etiquette is not worth it. Often parents are surprised why a child does not eat meat. The reason is the child's inability to properly hold the fork and knife.

The situation in the kitchen should be to the reception of food. For small children it is necessary to purchase a special highchair in advance, which will be adjusted in height. If the son or daughter wants to sit on an ordinary stool like adults, do not interfere. That the kid does not spoil clothes, it is necessary to put on it an apron or a bib. And certainly you can not scold a small member of the family for getting dirty at dinner. The time will come, and the child will eat carefully, according to all the rules of etiquette. In the meantime, the main thing is not to frighten off a good appetite.

Child entertained with food

Many mothers and dads during the meal cheer the child, read to him stories, decorate the dining table with toys. All this is done so that the baby ate the whole portion. This method, of course, helps to feed a small family member. However, it can not be called the best. The problem is that the child is accustomed to eating food with various entertainments. And if there are no familiar toys and funny stories, there is no appetite. Do not be surprised if the child does not eat in the kindergarten. What to do if in public institutions no one will pay attention to one baby, who is accustomed to eating with songs?

The process of eating food for many children seems rather boring. After all, instead of lunch, you can play with toys, explore the world and watch cartoons. Some parents quickly solve the problem. They sit down the child to eat in front of the TV. This can not be done categorically. First, the baby gets used to the amenities and can no longer eat without a favorite attribute. Secondly, scientists have long proven that distraction during food intake is harmful. Food is poorly digested, and most of the useful components are simply not digested. Often, children who are accustomed to eating in front of the TV, suffer from gastritis, have problems with obesity.

Eat only at the dinner table. Even if the child does not eat a full dinner or breakfast, but only decided to eat an apple, do it preferably only in the kitchen. Parents should not set a bad example for a child, dining in front of the TV. It is better to come up with an interesting ritual, when the whole family at mealtime sits down at a round table and discusses important family problems, gives advice. It's exciting and safe.

The child is afraid

The reason for refusing food can be the fear of a baby choking or experiencing pain. Very often a child does not eat dairy products, if one has to poison himself with yogurt or a low-quality ice cream. The kid may not even remember what exactly scared him, but the unpleasant emotions associated with this or that food remain for a long time.

It is worth thinking about why a child does not eat meat. Komarovsky argues that the rejection of this kind of products can also be associated with fear. The kid will be afraid to eat the food you need to chew for a long time. This is not only cooked meat, but also solid vegetables, fish, some types of fruit. To prepare the baby for chewing should be gradual. Initially, ground mashed potatoes and soft fruits, such as banana, baked apple, are introduced into the lure. Next, you need to start offering the baby food with lumps. Pieces that need to be chewed should be increased gradually. If the baby is choking, it means that the products still need to be grinded to the state of mashed potatoes.

Tasteless food

Already from an early age, children have their own taste preferences. Some kids do not like dairy products, others do not tolerate boiled vegetables. The daily diet should be based on the needs of a small family member. Many children eat only the usual food, such as pasta, potatoes and sausages. Perhaps a child does not eat vegetables cooked for a couple, just because he never tried them. To offer new dishes the baby needs to be tidy. In order for a child to have an interest in a new product, it's important to submit it beautifully. From the cooked carrots you can form a sun on the plate, and pounded potatoes can remotely resemble a cloud.

Do not panic if the child does not eat fruits and vegetables in the usual way. From delicious ingredients you can always prepare an original salad dressed with yogurt. This dish is sure to please a small member of the family. Fruit salad - it's beautiful, tasty and useful!

The cult of food in the family

In many families, for several generations, a cult of food is being formed. The process of cooking and eating takes most of the time. If a small child ate - this is a real event, but if the carpenter refuses to eat lunch or dinner - it's a disaster. A small person quickly grasps that you can manipulate your parents with food. The child does not eat anything just because he wants to achieve what he wants from adults.

To restore the child's appetite, parents should pay less attention to food as such. If the baby is hungry, he will certainly eat. Sooner or later, a small member of the family will understand that nobody is paying attention to his manipulation, and will start eating as expected. Particular attention should be paid to the child's well-being. If the child is cheerful, has a good mood, but does not eat, there is no cause for concern.

Parents should not fanatically keep three meals a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner should only be present when the child really wants to eat. It's okay if during a walk the kid bites a biscuit with compote and refuses to eat borsch. This happens infrequently and does not affect the development of crumbs.

The kid does not know what hunger is

Very often a child does not eat food because he has never felt hungry. The kid does not understand that food can bring joy. And all because parents offer him food almost every two hours. A consequence of this may be a complete lack of appetite. The baby eats a few spoons of soup or porridge, and this is enough for him to wait for the next meal. The child perceives food as a necessity.

All that parents need to do is to increase the intervals between feedings. It's okay if a child is over 6 months of age a little hungry. Thanks to the new feeling, he will be able to understand why food is needed, and he will eat a new portion with great pleasure.

With the older child, you can do more strictly. You can create a situation where in the refrigerator there is no food at all, and there is only potatoes in the pantry. When the child finally gets hungry, he will understand that you need to appreciate the food in the form in which it is. If you have to eat boiled potatoes in the evening without anything, the next day the baby will be glad to have a delicious full dinner.

Herd instinct

In most cases, parents of children who do not attend a kindergarten complain of a poor appetite for normal health. Kids understand that parents can be manipulated as you like. It is necessary for a child to cross the threshold of preschool, problems with appetite disappear by themselves. The fact is that in the kindergarten with small members of society no one is ceremonious. If you want - eat, do not want to - eat next time. In addition, the children are triggered by the "herd instinct". Everyone wants to do what the others do. Therefore, in kindergartens, kids eat much better than at home. If it is possible to write a son or daughter in a preschool, it is definitely worth doing. Even if the child does not eat dairy products, what to do, the expert in the garden will tell.

Let's sum up the results

The reasons for poor appetite can be a huge amount. Quite often, giving up food is psychological. It is worthwhile to understand whether everything is in order in the family, whether the child has problems in communicating with peers.

Much more difficult things are, if the child does not eat the lure. Komarovsky argues that understanding the desires of the child will help the maternal instinct. If the kid behaves cheerfully and grows well, you should not worry. However, the consultation of the pediatrician will not be superfluous. In spite of the fact that the six months old age of the baby is considered to be the norm of introduction of complementary foods, it is possible to start introducing the child to new products later - by the year.