Your Child Difficult to Eat, Try This Trick

Difficult children eat when fed with food or children who only want one type of food for days, maybe not a new story for parents. To deal with it, parents must not lose cleverly with children. Generally, children find it difficult to eat after they turn one year old. At that time, the child's growth slowed when compared to the previous period. This also decreases his appetite. So often what appears is the child eats less.

Recognize the Problems of Eating Difficulties

When children refuse to eat and are mistakenly addressed by parents, this can trigger an unpleasant and stressful atmosphere for both parties. That is why, the intention of parents in providing the best nutrition must be accompanied by careful observing the child's condition. Difficult children to eat can be fussy or be more annoying than usual. The following are some of the problems that often arise, related to the behavior of children having difficulty eating, including:

• Refuse to eat

For children, eating is a new skill to master. Choosing what he wants to put into the mouth becomes very important. No wonder some children can spend what their parents provide on the first day, but refuse the next day. When his mind changes, so does his appetite. Suggestion: Children usually eat what is needed. When for one day, the child really refuses to eat, don't lose patience. Compared to mess around with a lack of calorie intake during the day, you should calculate the intake for the previous week. Often parents feel surprised that their children's food intake has actually been fulfilled. Only choose certain foods. For children aged three years and under, eating solid food is new. It takes time for them to get used to the variety of colors, tastes, and textures. At this time, children also learn to be independent and make their own choices, including what foods come into their mouths. Suggestion: Introduce new foods slowly to children who have difficulty eating. After serving several times, children are usually interested in taking them. Vegetables are one type of food that is often rejected by children. Serve only one type of vegetable, so that children are not confused. Try to eat time not close to bedtime, because fatigue can also affect the child's reluctance to try new foods.

• Only want fast food

Fast food is a favorite for children, usually those containing high sugar or fat, with low nutritional content. Like, candy, french fries, or soft drinks. Suggestion: Don't store fast food in your home. Provide healthier food that can be more easily achieved. Serve melons with yogurt mixture, or fruit juice decorated with strawberries or banana slices on top. Steamed bananas or sweet potatoes can also be alternatives to french fries.

• Refuse to eat after eating a lot yesterday

This is very common in children aged 12 months to three years. According to nutritionists, parents do not need to exaggerate this. Children are able to recognize hunger, sometimes better than adults. There are times when a child's appetite seems large, then the opposite happens the next day. This is very natural. Suggestion: Parents should avoid forcing children to have difficulty eating at this time. Set a time limit for your child to consume the food that has been provided. Ask the child to eat does not exceed the time limit you have set. In addition, limit consumption of juice and milk. Too much intake of these two drinks can make your appetite decrease.

• Eat just one type of food

It's not something strange if a child suddenly has difficulty eating for several days to a matter of weeks, or just wants to eat only one type of food. One reason is that children are attracted to foods that they taste familiar with. It's just that eating patterns like that often make parents confused. Suggestion: Parents should stay calm and still offer other food choices, without being pushy. For older children, you can set a strategy by taking him to the supermarket. Ask him to choose two types of fruit, two types of vegetables, or one type of snack. Arriving at home, ask him to prepare food before consuming it.

• Refuse favorite foods or drinks suddenly

Vegetables may be one of the types of food eaten by Little One, but one day he suddenly refused. Or maybe the child suddenly no longer wants to drink milk normally consumed every day. Suggestion: Don't panic, it may only be temporary. But it can be a problem, if parents respond wrongly. When children don't want to eat today, it doesn't mean they won't like it forever. Still offer food that the child refused the following day. If the child refuses to drink milk, parents should provide nutrition that contains milk, such as yogurt or cheese. Or if the child rejects vegetables, balance the nutritional intake of fruits for a while.

Making a Fun Dining Atmosphere

For children, eating is included in the learning and exploration process. To help increase appetite in children need to eat, parents can do activities, such as:

• Hold family meals regularly. Let your child see you eat a variety of foods and make positive comments on them.
• Get used to a consistent meal, which is three times the main meal and two snack meals each day. Limit time to about 30 minutes for each meal. Make it comfortable for him.
• Let the child eat independently. Make practical food that can be held and put into the mouth of a child easily.
• Give only 1-2 types of food to children when eating. Give in small portions.
• Use tableware with attractive colors and pictures.
• Invite other children to eat together. For children who have difficulty eating, they tend to eat more when with their peers.
• Keep the television, games, pets, and things that affect his attention when eating.
• Involve children when processing food served. Starting from buying, cleaning, to cooking and serving to encourage more taste.

To ensure the child's nutritional adequacy, parents can take notes. Write down all the food and drinks consumed by the child for a week. Check whether the child has received intake from four main nutritional groups namely carbohydrates, protein, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. If your child still eats food from each of these nutrition groups, then you don't need to worry. Difficult children eat is not an easy matter to handle. Extra attention and patience are needed to overcome them. However, if you are still unsure of your child's nutritional intake or cause a child's weight gain, it is advisable for you to consult directly with a nutritionist or pediatrician.