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20 Month Baby Having Loss Of Appetite. Any Advice?
Question: My son 20 months old has a loss of appetite, kindly advice so that he eats well
Hello XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in. I read your question with diligence. Please keep a fortnightly weight record that will help you in assessing the benefit of lack of benefit of this advice.
First and foremost thing one must remember after weaning the child and switching to semisolid and solid foods is too much of liquid diet like juice and milk can cause a 20 month old child's appetite to appear diminished at mealtimes, as can excessive snacking too close to meal times. Child health advise limiting liquids before a toddler's meals and serving solid foods before giving him milk at the table. Please maintain regular meals and regular snack time. Potions should be controlled so as to see that too much is not left uneaten. Other well tried method is children of this age do eat when in group of similar age and not distracted by adults. If you have older son or daughter give meals and snacks to both together you will have a healthy competition.
Weight record will tell you the real situation, if the child fails to gain weight or looses weight in 2 fifteen days interval it is the time that you consult your doctor who has looked after his vaccination. For this may indicate something more than moodiness and suggestive of illness.
Before that, stop worrying about a child's loss of appetite, you can encourage healthy eating and help his build positive attitudes about food. Have trust in your child's appetite to determine how much he needs to eat. And please do not force him to eat, for he develop aversion. Children(even 20 month olds) are rebellious in general. Bring variety to age appropriate food for him, he will appreciate it. It should include healthy foods including fruits and vegetables and if non vegetarian lean meats, poultry (like one egg a day in the form he likes divided in 3 potions). Lastly, please do not use food as a reward and punishment for you are helping him to develop unhealthy attitudes. Children are not and should not be treated as miniature adults. Their developing psyche should not be subjected to experiment.
Lastly, if your child shows signs of too picky, no problem. If he is gaining weight but keep a watch for irritability and dizziness are the signs which should make you consult your doctor at soonest.
I hope that answer has been useful, if you have any further query or supplementary question to ask please do. The reply shall be given as soon as possible. Good Luck.
With Best Wishes
Dr Anil Grover,
Medical Specialist & Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW
Thanks for writing in. I read your question with diligence. Please keep a fortnightly weight record that will help you in assessing the benefit of lack of benefit of this advice.
First and foremost thing one must remember after weaning the child and switching to semisolid and solid foods is too much of liquid diet like juice and milk can cause a 20 month old child's appetite to appear diminished at mealtimes, as can excessive snacking too close to meal times. Child health advise limiting liquids before a toddler's meals and serving solid foods before giving him milk at the table. Please maintain regular meals and regular snack time. Potions should be controlled so as to see that too much is not left uneaten. Other well tried method is children of this age do eat when in group of similar age and not distracted by adults. If you have older son or daughter give meals and snacks to both together you will have a healthy competition.
Weight record will tell you the real situation, if the child fails to gain weight or looses weight in 2 fifteen days interval it is the time that you consult your doctor who has looked after his vaccination. For this may indicate something more than moodiness and suggestive of illness.
Before that, stop worrying about a child's loss of appetite, you can encourage healthy eating and help his build positive attitudes about food. Have trust in your child's appetite to determine how much he needs to eat. And please do not force him to eat, for he develop aversion. Children(even 20 month olds) are rebellious in general. Bring variety to age appropriate food for him, he will appreciate it. It should include healthy foods including fruits and vegetables and if non vegetarian lean meats, poultry (like one egg a day in the form he likes divided in 3 potions). Lastly, please do not use food as a reward and punishment for you are helping him to develop unhealthy attitudes. Children are not and should not be treated as miniature adults. Their developing psyche should not be subjected to experiment.
Lastly, if your child shows signs of too picky, no problem. If he is gaining weight but keep a watch for irritability and dizziness are the signs which should make you consult your doctor at soonest.
I hope that answer has been useful, if you have any further query or supplementary question to ask please do. The reply shall be given as soon as possible. Good Luck.
With Best Wishes
Dr Anil Grover,
Medical Specialist & Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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