HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Child Not Interested In Eating Except Milk. Suggest Some Effective Medicine?

default
Posted on Mon, 13 Aug 2012
Question: My daughter won't eat anything and if we try forcly, she starts crying badly. She drink milk only nothing else. Can you suggest any tonic or medicine which will help to get her hungry...?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Hema Yadav (57 minutes later)
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
It is a common problem with toddlers and especially if solid foods are not introduced early.
If you are giving plain milk then it may not provide the complete nutrition to your child.
First of all you need to get your child's growth and development assessed by her pediatrician to rule out any problems .
The doctor may rule out any medical causes like anemia , vitamin deficiency, worm infestation and treat it accordingly . After thorough assessment if only picky eating is found to be the cause it means that your child does not need appetizers . Her appetite may be intact but due to over intake of milk she doesn't eat other foods .
In such cases limiting the quantity to 2 servings per day might help.
Also addition of protein supplement like pediasure or proteinex to the milk ( 5 scoops daily) might help in getting all nutrients.
A zinc based multivitamin supplement like zincovit or A to Z can be given as twice daily as per doctors prescription.
Meanwhile you should never forcefeed her and you may try the following to encourage
her to accept food .

Eat with your child as often as possible. Toddlers learn to eat foods they are unfamiliar with by watching and copying their parents and other children eating them.

Make positive comments about the food you are eating. Parents are strong role models and if you make positive comments about foods, your toddler will be more willing to try them.

Arrange for your toddler to eat with other toddlers as often as possible. Invite a friend from playgroup over for tea. Your toddler may eat better when she is with her own age group.
Don't assume that because your toddler has refused a food she will never eat it again. Tastes change with time. Some toddlers need to be offered a new food more than 10 times before they feel confident to try it.
Involve your toddler in simple cooking and food preparation (if you have the time and patience). By handling and touching new foods without pressure to eat them, your toddler will become familiar with new foods and may be more likely to try them.

Please do not lose hope , with time and patience all toddlers eventually learn to eat proper meals.
Hope I have answered your query.
I'll be available for any follow up queries.
Regards




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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Hema Yadav

Pediatrician, Infectious Diseases

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1528 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Child Not Interested In Eating Except Milk. Suggest Some Effective Medicine?

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
It is a common problem with toddlers and especially if solid foods are not introduced early.
If you are giving plain milk then it may not provide the complete nutrition to your child.
First of all you need to get your child's growth and development assessed by her pediatrician to rule out any problems .
The doctor may rule out any medical causes like anemia , vitamin deficiency, worm infestation and treat it accordingly . After thorough assessment if only picky eating is found to be the cause it means that your child does not need appetizers . Her appetite may be intact but due to over intake of milk she doesn't eat other foods .
In such cases limiting the quantity to 2 servings per day might help.
Also addition of protein supplement like pediasure or proteinex to the milk ( 5 scoops daily) might help in getting all nutrients.
A zinc based multivitamin supplement like zincovit or A to Z can be given as twice daily as per doctors prescription.
Meanwhile you should never forcefeed her and you may try the following to encourage
her to accept food .

Eat with your child as often as possible. Toddlers learn to eat foods they are unfamiliar with by watching and copying their parents and other children eating them.

Make positive comments about the food you are eating. Parents are strong role models and if you make positive comments about foods, your toddler will be more willing to try them.

Arrange for your toddler to eat with other toddlers as often as possible. Invite a friend from playgroup over for tea. Your toddler may eat better when she is with her own age group.
Don't assume that because your toddler has refused a food she will never eat it again. Tastes change with time. Some toddlers need to be offered a new food more than 10 times before they feel confident to try it.
Involve your toddler in simple cooking and food preparation (if you have the time and patience). By handling and touching new foods without pressure to eat them, your toddler will become familiar with new foods and may be more likely to try them.

Please do not lose hope , with time and patience all toddlers eventually learn to eat proper meals.
Hope I have answered your query.
I'll be available for any follow up queries.
Regards