All children are picky eaters. It is natural. Some parents are concerned about this. There is no reason to be concerned about it. Busy mothers want the child to eat fast so that they can get on with their own work.
It is not good to push the child to eat fast. Let it consume the food at its own pace.
It is also not good to threaten the child to eat all the food on the plate. Let the child decide when to stop eating.
During the meal time the child’s mind will be straying into many things. The parents will have to bring their attention again and again to the food. Minimize distractions at the table.
From the age of 9 months to one year the child begins to develop a feel for the taste of different kinds of food. During this time, it is good to encourage the child to self-feed. Their appetite will grow if they self-feed.
Parents should keep tab on the snacks the child consumes. If they snack too much their appetite will be affected. Always include some bite size pieces of fruits and vegetable in every meal. When introducing a new food try to add it to the food that the child likes. Leave some foods such as berries or bananas within the child’s reach so that it can eat them when it is hungry. Some days a child will eat more and another day less. You will have to allow for this also. Although you will be making baby food, It is alright to give the baby what you eat. The baby learns from what you eat.
Some parents resort to appetite stimulants. This is also not a good idea. Vitamin supplements also should be avoided. Infants and toddlers consuming more than more than 470ml to 700ml will feel full and are likely to consume fewer solids. Such children may turn out to be under weight. Children who consume afore mentioned quantum of milk and eat well may turn out to be overweight. Therefore some caution is necessary.
In the case of chronic under eaters, it is good to consult a doctor or dietitian.
A normal healthy child should take three full meals a day and two snacks in between. Some kids like to eat small amounts of food throughout the day. This is not bad but you would not know whether the child has eaten enough for the day.
It is not good to push the child to eat fast. Let it consume the food at its own pace.
It is also not good to threaten the child to eat all the food on the plate. Let the child decide when to stop eating.
During the meal time the child’s mind will be straying into many things. The parents will have to bring their attention again and again to the food. Minimize distractions at the table.
From the age of 9 months to one year the child begins to develop a feel for the taste of different kinds of food. During this time, it is good to encourage the child to self-feed. Their appetite will grow if they self-feed.
Parents should keep tab on the snacks the child consumes. If they snack too much their appetite will be affected. Always include some bite size pieces of fruits and vegetable in every meal. When introducing a new food try to add it to the food that the child likes. Leave some foods such as berries or bananas within the child’s reach so that it can eat them when it is hungry. Some days a child will eat more and another day less. You will have to allow for this also. Although you will be making baby food, It is alright to give the baby what you eat. The baby learns from what you eat.
Some parents resort to appetite stimulants. This is also not a good idea. Vitamin supplements also should be avoided. Infants and toddlers consuming more than more than 470ml to 700ml will feel full and are likely to consume fewer solids. Such children may turn out to be under weight. Children who consume afore mentioned quantum of milk and eat well may turn out to be overweight. Therefore some caution is necessary.
In the case of chronic under eaters, it is good to consult a doctor or dietitian.
A normal healthy child should take three full meals a day and two snacks in between. Some kids like to eat small amounts of food throughout the day. This is not bad but you would not know whether the child has eaten enough for the day.
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