my baby is not eating properly she is 20 months old and she is eating more sweet

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It's quite common for toddlers to be picky eaters or prefer certain tastes, like sweets. However, excessive consumption of sweets can lead to nutritional imbalances and may make it harder for your baby to eat other nutritious foods. Here are some tips to help encourage balanced eating for your 20-month-old:

1. Limit Sweets:

Control Sugar Intake: Try to limit the amount of sweets (candies, chocolates, sugary snacks) to avoid spoiling their appetite for nutritious foods. You can replace sugary items with healthier alternatives like fresh fruit or yogurt with a natural sweetener like honey (if age-appropriate).

2. Make Healthy Foods Fun:

Present Food Creatively: Try making meals more visually appealing by shaping food into fun forms (e.g., using cookie cutters for fruits or veggies). This might make your child more interested in trying new foods.

Mix Flavors: Mix healthy foods like vegetables with flavors your child enjoys (e.g., mashed sweet potatoes, carrots with a little bit of honey, or adding some fruit puree).

3. Offer Small, Frequent Meals:

Smaller Portions: At this age, toddlers often have small appetites. Offer smaller, frequent meals throughout the day. This could help your baby eat more overall.

Healthy Snacks: Keep healthy snacks like cut fruits, nuts, or cheese available for your child to nibble on throughout the day.

4. Involve Them in Meal Prep:

Let Your Baby Help: Children are more likely to eat what they’ve helped prepare. Give your toddler small tasks like adding fruits to a bowl or stirring ingredients. This involvement can increase their interest in the food.

5. Avoid Force Feeding:

Respect Their Appetite: If your toddler is not hungry, don’t force them to eat. Forcing food can lead to negative associations with mealtime. Trust their appetite and offer meals when they seem ready.

6. Introduce New Foods Gradually:

One New Food at a Time: If your baby is hesitant to try new foods, introduce one new food at a time alongside familiar favorites. Over time, you can slowly increase the variety of healthy foods.

7. Create Positive Mealtime Atmosphere:

Family Meals: Eating together as a family can encourage your toddler to try new foods. Toddlers often mimic the behaviors of adults, so if they see you eating healthy foods, they may be more inclined to try them too.

8. Avoid Over-reliance on Liquids:

Limit Milk or Juice: Too much milk or juice can reduce your toddler’s appetite for solid foods. Aim to keep milk or juice intake to a reasonable level (usually no more than 16-24 ounces per day).

9. Be Patient:

Consistency Over Time: Toddlers can be unpredictable with their eating habits. It’s important to be patient and continue offering a variety of healthy options without pressure. Their eating preferences can change over time.

If you’re still concerned about your baby’s eating habits or growth, it may be a good idea to consult a pediatrician or a nutritionist to ensure there are no underlying health issues affecting her appetite or growth.