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Suggest Remedy For Lack Of Appetite In Child
Question: Hi doctor.
My baby is 1.5years old. Just like other kids she is also not interested in food.. How much ever i divert she doesnt gets diverted at all. She doesnt show interest in eating tried giving many varieties and finger foods. She doesnt even pick food from my plate. Took her out to park n feed, showed tv to feed , Told stories but nothing worked so we showed her few rhymes in XXXXXXX when she was around 7months old and now whenever we wan to feed her she opens her mouth only when we show rhymes in XXXXXXX In the beginning we felt it ok as she atleast ate what we gave but now we r worried that it has bcome more lik a habit. Please let me know some ways as to how do i change this habit. If not will she stop all by herself and change when she turns 2years? Please clarify. Even if i dont give her anything to eat for a couple of hours, she doesnt open her mouth put of hunger also. Just needs rhymes to eat. Please help. Experting a paediatrician advice. Thank u
My baby is 1.5years old. Just like other kids she is also not interested in food.. How much ever i divert she doesnt gets diverted at all. She doesnt show interest in eating tried giving many varieties and finger foods. She doesnt even pick food from my plate. Took her out to park n feed, showed tv to feed , Told stories but nothing worked so we showed her few rhymes in XXXXXXX when she was around 7months old and now whenever we wan to feed her she opens her mouth only when we show rhymes in XXXXXXX In the beginning we felt it ok as she atleast ate what we gave but now we r worried that it has bcome more lik a habit. Please let me know some ways as to how do i change this habit. If not will she stop all by herself and change when she turns 2years? Please clarify. Even if i dont give her anything to eat for a couple of hours, she doesnt open her mouth put of hunger also. Just needs rhymes to eat. Please help. Experting a paediatrician advice. Thank u
Brief Answer:
Offer her to show the videos after the meal rather than during the meals.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the problem and what you mention is a problem that numerous parents face. At this age, the child might not be mature enough to link hunger to the act of eating. So, eating is just a boring diurnal activity that they might not want. Instead, they might be more interested in the fun part which might be related to the rhyme videos that parents might be willing to show. To get such a reward, they might not mind opening their mouth and accept feeds. This is what is happening in case of your child too. So, it is just a form of reward system that you have set for the child and to get the reward, the child does what is demaned of her. What you now have to do is to shift it to delayed gratification.
As a step 2, you will have to concentrate more on the rhymes on XXXXXXX than the food itself. The next thing would be to tell her that she would get to see it but only may be half an hour after she takes her food. Get this habit established first. The next thing thereafter would be to offer her to show the videos after each two meals. Alternatively increase the time gap between the meal and the showing of the video rhymes. When it goes on like this, gradually the videos will cease to be associated with the food and the feeding will become a routine and systematic activity.
On the other hand, take the child along when you go to fetch groceries. Orient her with the fruits and vegetables. Ask her to choose fruits and vegetables to be bought. Invite her proposals about items to make with the concerned vegetables and fruits. Offer her these items. These items are more likely to be accepted by her.
Nothing happens on its own. So, do not expect changes to happen on their own when she becomes 2 years of age.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Offer her to show the videos after the meal rather than during the meals.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the problem and what you mention is a problem that numerous parents face. At this age, the child might not be mature enough to link hunger to the act of eating. So, eating is just a boring diurnal activity that they might not want. Instead, they might be more interested in the fun part which might be related to the rhyme videos that parents might be willing to show. To get such a reward, they might not mind opening their mouth and accept feeds. This is what is happening in case of your child too. So, it is just a form of reward system that you have set for the child and to get the reward, the child does what is demaned of her. What you now have to do is to shift it to delayed gratification.
As a step 2, you will have to concentrate more on the rhymes on XXXXXXX than the food itself. The next thing would be to tell her that she would get to see it but only may be half an hour after she takes her food. Get this habit established first. The next thing thereafter would be to offer her to show the videos after each two meals. Alternatively increase the time gap between the meal and the showing of the video rhymes. When it goes on like this, gradually the videos will cease to be associated with the food and the feeding will become a routine and systematic activity.
On the other hand, take the child along when you go to fetch groceries. Orient her with the fruits and vegetables. Ask her to choose fruits and vegetables to be bought. Invite her proposals about items to make with the concerned vegetables and fruits. Offer her these items. These items are more likely to be accepted by her.
Nothing happens on its own. So, do not expect changes to happen on their own when she becomes 2 years of age.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor. Thanx fa the prompt response.
She s jus 1.5years old and i couldnt make her understnad tat she could c rhymes after meals rather than durin the meals. So this is why i hav asked will she gradually understand wen she turns two or more years?
Another thing is she accompanies me always to the grocery shop and al and i have taught her wat al fruit or vegetables i hav bot home. She neva bites or eats anythin on the plate or on the floor. Am not knowing as to how to incorporate a new habit so tat she stops watchng rhymes while she eats.. Forcefully wen i giv her a taste of a cheese or a chips or chocolate she comes n takes just one or two bites and than starts spitting.. Please tell me an alternative to stop this habit. I know she s too young to understand things and it will happen gradually only. But let me know a way or two. Thank you.
She s jus 1.5years old and i couldnt make her understnad tat she could c rhymes after meals rather than durin the meals. So this is why i hav asked will she gradually understand wen she turns two or more years?
Another thing is she accompanies me always to the grocery shop and al and i have taught her wat al fruit or vegetables i hav bot home. She neva bites or eats anythin on the plate or on the floor. Am not knowing as to how to incorporate a new habit so tat she stops watchng rhymes while she eats.. Forcefully wen i giv her a taste of a cheese or a chips or chocolate she comes n takes just one or two bites and than starts spitting.. Please tell me an alternative to stop this habit. I know she s too young to understand things and it will happen gradually only. But let me know a way or two. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Watching rhymes is not the problem. Not feeding otherwise, is the problem.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I understand your situation. It might not be easy to deal with. As of now, the main concern should not be what can loosely be referred to as 'rhyme addiction'. The priority is to establish an eating routine. And what you face is just the variation of an issue faced by numerous parents. Your question might be simple but the answer is not easy. It requires BCC or behavioral change communication, something that a psychologist can help you with. You need to see a psychologist and discuss the scenario so that an effective strategy can be worked out so that you can deal with your situation effectively.
Sorry for not being able to be more precise.
Regards
Watching rhymes is not the problem. Not feeding otherwise, is the problem.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I understand your situation. It might not be easy to deal with. As of now, the main concern should not be what can loosely be referred to as 'rhyme addiction'. The priority is to establish an eating routine. And what you face is just the variation of an issue faced by numerous parents. Your question might be simple but the answer is not easy. It requires BCC or behavioral change communication, something that a psychologist can help you with. You need to see a psychologist and discuss the scenario so that an effective strategy can be worked out so that you can deal with your situation effectively.
Sorry for not being able to be more precise.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
hi doctor. i agree with wat u have told. but pur main concern is tat we are unable to take her out anywher during meal times.. cos without a net connection we could not play her rhymes and she is not happy with wateva rhymes available XXXXXXX in our XXXXXXX say fa example wen we r in a park we r unable to feed her without a net connection and even givin snacks to her is tuf. so v cum bac without spendng proper time nywher...
can you please let me know if you could revert me bac to a psychologist as u have specified.. i hav three more follow up questions so wil it be possible for u to make us a psychologist to answer my query and find a way fa our major concern . please help. Thanks in advance doctor.
can you please let me know if you could revert me bac to a psychologist as u have specified.. i hav three more follow up questions so wil it be possible for u to make us a psychologist to answer my query and find a way fa our major concern . please help. Thanks in advance doctor.
Brief Answer:
The rhyme videos should be simple to download.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
The problem that you have stated this time is more specific and easier to solve. I presume that the videos that you are showing are on youtube or some similar site. I am sure that you have a computer or laptop with an internet connection at home. All you need to do is to download 'Internet download manager'. Its a free-to-download application with a free trial of one month. After installing it, open internet explorer and then open the webpage with the video on it. Start the video. Just above the video you will get a download option. Just download the videos in this way and then transfer them to your XXXXXXX That way you could even show them to your child irrespective of where you are and without requiring an internet or recurrent downloads.
I think that in such a case you can put off the psychologist visit as of now. In case you feel that you still need it, visiting one would perhaps be better rather than an online consultation since face to face you would have the advantage of a two way communication. On this platform, the follow ups can be answered only by the respective doctor (me in this case) and hence I would not be able to make a psychologist answer on my behalf.
Regards
The rhyme videos should be simple to download.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
The problem that you have stated this time is more specific and easier to solve. I presume that the videos that you are showing are on youtube or some similar site. I am sure that you have a computer or laptop with an internet connection at home. All you need to do is to download 'Internet download manager'. Its a free-to-download application with a free trial of one month. After installing it, open internet explorer and then open the webpage with the video on it. Start the video. Just above the video you will get a download option. Just download the videos in this way and then transfer them to your XXXXXXX That way you could even show them to your child irrespective of where you are and without requiring an internet or recurrent downloads.
I think that in such a case you can put off the psychologist visit as of now. In case you feel that you still need it, visiting one would perhaps be better rather than an online consultation since face to face you would have the advantage of a two way communication. On this platform, the follow ups can be answered only by the respective doctor (me in this case) and hence I would not be able to make a psychologist answer on my behalf.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank yo doc. I will do as u said .. Thanx again..
Can you please let me know when will a kid normally start talking?
Also at 1.5years milk/juice is good for them or solid foods??
Thanx in advance
Can you please let me know when will a kid normally start talking?
Also at 1.5years milk/juice is good for them or solid foods??
Thanx in advance
Brief Answer:
A child usually learns to speak by 18 to 24 months.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
A child usually learns to speak between 18 to 24 months of age. Though there is a lot of variability, most toddlers are saying about 20 words by 18 months and 50 or more words by the time they turn 2. By age 2, kids are starting to combine two words to make simple sentences.
If in confusion, you could refer to the checklist on the following page:
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/speechandlanguage.aspx
For a child of 1.5 years of age, gradual transition to adult food low on spices should be done. The food may be mashed up. But merely milk or juice is not enough.
Regards
A child usually learns to speak by 18 to 24 months.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
A child usually learns to speak between 18 to 24 months of age. Though there is a lot of variability, most toddlers are saying about 20 words by 18 months and 50 or more words by the time they turn 2. By age 2, kids are starting to combine two words to make simple sentences.
If in confusion, you could refer to the checklist on the following page:
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/speechandlanguage.aspx
For a child of 1.5 years of age, gradual transition to adult food low on spices should be done. The food may be mashed up. But merely milk or juice is not enough.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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