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Suggest Ways To Deal With Behavioral Feeding Difficulties In A Child

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Posted on Tue, 12 Jan 2016
Question: Hello doctor,
My kid is 21months old.
He is not eating food rather he wants to munch on biscuits, fruits and milk. whenever we offer him any food, he ask for plate/bowl and spoon and he spills everywhere and not eating. do i need to do deworming? plz help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Such problems are very common in children of this age

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Feeding problems are very common in children of this age. Unfortunately there is no shortcut and all you need to do is to coax the child to eat. The suggestions that I can give, are:
* Do not present the food before the child could be hungry enough. Do not feed the child separately. Rather, try to assemble on a family table and serve the food together. Keep the base amount small and keep healthy food otherwise available around the corner for the child to pick up and eat on his own.
* Let him munch on biscuits, fruis and milk. It is a healthy sign. Just limit raw sugar intake and the intake of junk food like chocolates and he would be fine.
* The motor skills are gradually developing and it is normal for a child to spill food everywhere while eating. You have to encourage the child and gradually train him to eat on his own.
* When you go to fetch groceries, take the child along and let him choose fruits and vegetables. Ask for suggestions about what to make with them and then offer them to him in meals. The child will like these and would take them heartily.
* Do not force feed. Proper communication and coaxing the child is very important.
* The above problems are not indicative of worm infestation. But periodic deworming once a year is advocated at such an age.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Thanks for ur reply..From what age we need to start deworming and up to what age. only kids has to be dewormed or everyone in d family has to be dewormed at d same time. can we use vidangasav for deworming or can u suggest deworming medicine..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Deworming only in case of clinical suspicion

Detailed Answer:
Thanks and writing back.

There is no specific age to begin deworming. Children put anything in their mouth and thus have a chance of getting worms. It is not mandatory unless there is a clinical suspicion or visible worms in stool. Same applies for family members. Vidangasava is ayurvedic medicine which is used to treat parasitic worms but I cannot comment whether it is effective. We usually use Bandy (albendazole) 400 mg once and repeat the dose after a fortnight.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (35 minutes later)
ok...thanks...Are u suggesting deworming for my 21 month old kid? If so, prescribe the medicine and dosage.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No harm going for a deworming.

Detailed Answer:
Although there is no definite indication based on the description, I would still suggest deworming using Bandy (albendazole) syrup 10 ml (400 mg) two doses a fortnight apart. You may talk to your doctor before giving the medicine.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (13 hours later)
Thanks for your reply dr.
1) The dosage what I understood,
Bandy (albendazole) syrup - 400 mg has to be given today and then after a fortnight.
Since u mentioned as 2 doses, today - morning and night and after a fortnight again morning and night. Correct me if am wrong.
2) Does this has any side effects?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Two single doses a fortnight apart

Detailed Answer:
1. No, it should be single dose today and another single dose after a fortnight.
2. This is a frequently used medicine and no side effects are usually observed.

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. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Deal With Behavioral Feeding Difficulties In A Child

Brief Answer: Such problems are very common in children of this age Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Feeding problems are very common in children of this age. Unfortunately there is no shortcut and all you need to do is to coax the child to eat. The suggestions that I can give, are: * Do not present the food before the child could be hungry enough. Do not feed the child separately. Rather, try to assemble on a family table and serve the food together. Keep the base amount small and keep healthy food otherwise available around the corner for the child to pick up and eat on his own. * Let him munch on biscuits, fruis and milk. It is a healthy sign. Just limit raw sugar intake and the intake of junk food like chocolates and he would be fine. * The motor skills are gradually developing and it is normal for a child to spill food everywhere while eating. You have to encourage the child and gradually train him to eat on his own. * When you go to fetch groceries, take the child along and let him choose fruits and vegetables. Ask for suggestions about what to make with them and then offer them to him in meals. The child will like these and would take them heartily. * Do not force feed. Proper communication and coaxing the child is very important. * The above problems are not indicative of worm infestation. But periodic deworming once a year is advocated at such an age. Regards