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Suggest Treatment For Low Appetite In A 5 Year Old
Question: My 5 year 2 months old son, weights 16.5 kg, Height: 112.3 cm. He is a fussy while eating, does not like to eat solids and is mostly on milk and liquid food. He is only fed forcefully. Naturally, he appears to be really weak. However he is quite active and talkative, but has no interest in eating. His bones are visible allover and as parents we are worried. My questions:
(a) What can we do to make sure he starts eating normal food.
(b) We have noticed that if we force him to eat he throws up (vomits). Could there by any problems of some reflex disorder.
(c) Should we carry out de-wombing regularly ? What dose is recommended?
Regards,
(c)
(a) What can we do to make sure he starts eating normal food.
(b) We have noticed that if we force him to eat he throws up (vomits). Could there by any problems of some reflex disorder.
(c) Should we carry out de-wombing regularly ? What dose is recommended?
Regards,
(c)
Brief Answer:
His height and weight are normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Most children are picky eaters at this age and its a very common problem.
If the child's nutritional requirements are not met and his growth is affected only then some action is needed.
For reducing his fussiness you may try the following tips.
1. You can try to give him five small meals i.e breakfast of idli, upma, cereals with milk, etc followed by lunch with two chappati, veg, or dal rice, then milk followed by snacks in the evening and dinner more or less similar to lunch.
2. Try to have atleast one family meal time together either lunch or dinner.
3. Try to give him a variety of foods instead of same daily. You may look for healthy recepies and information on meal schedules on www.wholesomebabyfood.com
4. Try to minimize distraction like television or games during meal times, as the child may lose interest in eating and take longer time.
5.Peaceful environment during meals works wonders.
Children have a tendency to graze at that age and they really do not enjoy eating like us grown ups do. For the future cut back on the in between meal snacks, give smaller portions. Give lots of praise for even a couple bites taken. Realize this is just one of those stages that all children go through.
If his weight gain is steady and there are no signs of vitamin deficiencies according to his pediatrician then please do not worry.
Reward him with his favourite dessert if he finishes in that time.
Reduce artificial foods and refined foods as much as possible and encourage natural foods like fruits and green vegetables.
The vomiting is likely to be due to forced eating. This is not likely to be due to any pathology. Please do not worry.
The deworming is needed if the stool test is suggestive of presence of worms. Do consult his pediatrician for proper examination and treatment.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
His height and weight are normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Most children are picky eaters at this age and its a very common problem.
If the child's nutritional requirements are not met and his growth is affected only then some action is needed.
For reducing his fussiness you may try the following tips.
1. You can try to give him five small meals i.e breakfast of idli, upma, cereals with milk, etc followed by lunch with two chappati, veg, or dal rice, then milk followed by snacks in the evening and dinner more or less similar to lunch.
2. Try to have atleast one family meal time together either lunch or dinner.
3. Try to give him a variety of foods instead of same daily. You may look for healthy recepies and information on meal schedules on www.wholesomebabyfood.com
4. Try to minimize distraction like television or games during meal times, as the child may lose interest in eating and take longer time.
5.Peaceful environment during meals works wonders.
Children have a tendency to graze at that age and they really do not enjoy eating like us grown ups do. For the future cut back on the in between meal snacks, give smaller portions. Give lots of praise for even a couple bites taken. Realize this is just one of those stages that all children go through.
If his weight gain is steady and there are no signs of vitamin deficiencies according to his pediatrician then please do not worry.
Reward him with his favourite dessert if he finishes in that time.
Reduce artificial foods and refined foods as much as possible and encourage natural foods like fruits and green vegetables.
The vomiting is likely to be due to forced eating. This is not likely to be due to any pathology. Please do not worry.
The deworming is needed if the stool test is suggestive of presence of worms. Do consult his pediatrician for proper examination and treatment.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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