#asktheexpert my daughter is not eating properly

Question

Accepted Answer

It's common for toddlers to go through phases where they are picky eaters or have reduced appetite. However, if your daughter is not eating properly consistently, it may be helpful to identify possible reasons and take steps to encourage healthy eating habits.

Possible Causes for Poor Appetite:

1. Teething: If your daughter is teething, it might cause discomfort while eating. This is a common reason for a decreased appetite.

2. Growth Spurts: Sometimes, children go through phases where they eat less because they are not in a growth spurt.

3. Illness: Cold, cough, or an infection could reduce appetite temporarily. If your child has a mild illness, it might affect her eating habits.

4. Picky Eating: At this age, children often become more selective about what they eat, and they may refuse foods that they previously liked.

5. Overwhelming Portions: If the portion sizes are too large or intimidating, she might refuse to eat.

6. Distractions: If she’s distracted by toys, TV, or other things while eating, it can lead to less food intake.

Steps to Encourage Eating:

1. Offer Small, Frequent Meals: Instead of three large meals, offer smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This can help if your child feels overwhelmed by larger portions.

2. Make Food Fun: Create fun shapes and colors with food, or use fun plates and utensils to make mealtime more appealing. You could also make the food look like faces or animals to make it more engaging.

3. Offer a Variety of Foods: Keep the variety of foods interesting but not overwhelming. Offer different textures and flavors. Include fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy in a balanced way.

4. Avoid Pressure: Don’t pressure her to eat. Let her decide when she's hungry. Force-feeding can sometimes create negative associations with eating.

5. Limit Liquids Before Meals: If your daughter drinks too much juice or milk before meals, she might not feel hungry at mealtime. Try to offer liquids after meals.

6. Model Eating: Children often mimic their parents. Sit down and eat with her, and make it a social, pleasant experience.

7. Include Finger Foods: If your child is interested in self-feeding, offer finger foods like small pieces of fruit, vegetables, crackers, cheese, or pasta. This can help her feel more in control of what she's eating.

8. Offer Healthy Snacks: Healthy snacks like smoothies, cheese sticks, yogurt, or fruit slices might encourage eating when she’s not in the mood for a full meal.

When to Seek Help:

If your child continues to refuse food or shows signs of weight loss, dehydration, or is consistently not eating a balanced diet, it's a good idea to consult a pediatrician. They can help determine if there’s an underlying issue or provide further guidance.

Encouraging a positive eating environment, being patient, and making meals enjoyable will usually help your daughter’s appetite improve over time.