#AskTheExpert
Dear Dr. ,
My daughter is 3 yr 7 mnth old. She doesn't want to eat. Her health was good at the early age. But now she becoming slimmer. what to do..?

Question

#AskTheExpert 
Dear Dr. , 
My daughter is 3 yr 7 mnth old. She doesn't want to eat. Her health was good at the early age. But now she becoming slimmer. what to do..?

Accepted Answer

Kids who have completed 1 year dont have to gain as much weight as they did in their first year. So their appetite is going to reduce. Ideally they must triple birth weight by 1 year. After 1 year kids can eat anything that the family eats adjusted for spices. Do not force feed baby and let baby decide how much he/she wants to eat. Research on BLW for babies and Traditional weaning techniques for babies on FB.

Give caloric and nutrient dense foods such as avocados, ghee, butter, paneer, cheese, dry fruits like almonds, cashews, raisins, dates, sesame seeds, anjeer, apricots. Use banana, potato, proteins like chana and other pulses in baby's recipes.

Don't feed only milk all the time as it can cause anemia in kids and that in turn causes drop in appetite. Ensure that child has a balanced diet with lots of different varieties of vegetables and fruits, multi grains etc. Avoid biscuits, chocolates, cakes, sweets, fried snacks and all processed food as they are low in fiber, high in sugar, not nutritious, and decrease hunger.

Not all kids are adventurous to try everything. It's okay momma, they're going to eventually try other stuff too.  You can involve him in the buying, cleaning, cooking process so he gets interested in veggies. Don't push him to eat anything please, it will only worsen his aversion and make him associate mealtimes with stress, which can lead to long term problems. Join the group Traditional Weaning (Introducing Solids) India and Gentle Parenting group on FB.

If your intention is to get him to eat veggies ..... mash and add to Paratha's.......I think its good practice to ask them to taste and try and if they don't want respect their wishes and don't force feed ...... as they grow older they will form their own likes and dislikes for now .... add veggies to Dal , or add to Parathas ......

#AskTheExpert Dear Dr. , My daughter is 3 yr 7 mnth old. She doesn't want to eat. Her health was good at the early age. But now she becoming slimmer. what to do..?