What To Do If Your Kids Don’t Want To Eat

Many parents worry if their children do not want to eat. In general, there is nothing to worry about as this is usually a phase that they will quickly overcome. However, if the pediatrician says it is necessary, you may need to help your child gain weight.

As a baby, your child grows quickly, so it is common for babies to eat a relatively large amount. However, between the ages of 2 and 5, appetite problems can develop. This stage can even last until they are 6 or 7 years old. Here you will find an English article about decreased appetite in children.

When it’s time to eat, the child probably refuses to eat the food and says he doesn’t like it. As a result, the parents may try to force the child, offer treats or try to punish him. That’s when the meal becomes a struggle.

Learning to eat

The beginning of complementary feeding is an awakening of taste recognition and taste preferences of the baby. At first he will only drink milk. As the child grows, he begins to eat solid foods and is eager to try and eat more. He will probably love to eat. As children grow up, they often lose that desire to eat.

After their first year of life, several factors will influence children’s desire to eat. Their growth rate will slow down and they will fill up faster. In addition, their interest in the world around them will put food on the back burner.

As children grow up, they begin to prefer only a few foods in small amounts. As a parent, you will probably be concerned. Parents are constantly asking their pediatricians about food. They also visit certain websites on the Internet because their children do not want to eat.

When parents are concerned about their child’s nutrition, they may force them to eat more food than they actually need. Other parents may insist that their children eat everything, regardless of their taste preferences. It is only a real problem if a child does not eat, when this affects his weight.

When kids don’t want to eat

There may also be a natural cause for your child’s lack of appetite. A chronic illness, a flu-like illness or an acute infection can cause your child to refuse to eat. However, this only lasts for a short period of time and when he feels better, he has a better appetite again.

The real problem is when kids are hungry, but they try to satisfy it by eating only foods they like. Parents, of course, play a key role in solving this problem.

If parental concerns create a tense environment at mealtimes, the child’s negative attitude toward food will only get worse. In addition, if the child only wants to eat the food he likes and the parents give in to this, then this will have a negative effect.

The child will then refuse to eat regular food because he knows that when he is hungry, his parents will give him what he wants. If this conflict continues, the child’s health may be affected. As a result , a doctor may tell you that your child needs help to gain weight.

How to help a child gain weight in a healthy way

Children learn to eat the amount of food they need to feel full. If they’re healthy, happy kids growing at the right pace, you don’t have to worry about what percentile they have on growth chart.

Parents only need to worry about creating a pleasant environment at mealtimes and about feeding their children a healthy diet. However, if they start to lose a lot of weight, a pediatrician may tell you to gain weight.

Tips to get your child to eat

Below we give you some basic recommendations to help with feeding and getting your child to eat. If this is the case, you can try the following suggestions:

• Introduce new foods in a progressive and appealing way. If your child repeatedly refuses to eat a food, try offering another food with a similar nutritional value.
• Be an example. Even if kids don’t like trying new foods, if they see their parents eating it, sooner or later they’ll want to try it too. It is therefore important to eat at the table with the whole family and all eat the same thing.
• Take advantage of their preferences when adding new foods to their diet. There is no limit to creativity when it comes to cooking and providing options that encourage your kids to eat. It really matters how the food is presented, so be creative.

• If your kids don’t want to eat new foods, be patient and keep trying. Do not get mad. If the child’s refusal is not followed by negative reactions, such as nausea or vomiting, your child will gradually learn to eat the new food.
• It is normal for a child to lose weight after an infection, but it usually comes back quickly. Take advantage of children’s restored appetites to help them gain weight if they are underweight.

Final considerations

Remember, it’s not just about gaining weight. Excessive consumption of sugary foods that are chemically processed and high in trans fats should not be used to help your child gain weight. Childhood obesity is a serious problem that you should avoid at all costs.

In addition, the meal should be a pleasant time for the whole family. This positive relationship will influence and improve your child’s appetite. That actually applies to everyone, regardless of age!

When the child associates food with something fun, it will be easier to overcome the lack of appetite. If your child is not eating well, your pediatrician may recommend giving him vitamins or nutritional supplements to promote healthy weight gain.