14-month-old anorexic, what to do?

This is an automatically translated article.

1. Trust your parenting instincts

Usually 14-month-old anorexic children will not care about eating or even show no symptoms. Children can run, jump and play as usual, although some children may be stunted or underweight.
Because children do not show appetite while hunger comes on very quickly, so parents need to have food ready for children at any time, and watch them closely. At that time, your parenting instinct will help you realize that your child needs additional energy in time. A 14-month-old child who refuses to eat may be in the main meal with a bowl of porridge and soup that is full and boring. However, it is certainly difficult for children to resist the attraction of nutritious rice cakes for children or cups of cool fat milk in mid-day snacks.

2. Don't blame yourself

The common reaction of parents when they learn their child has any problem or illness is self-blame. In fact, parents are not the cause of eating disorders in young children at this stage. Therefore, any time trying to figure out why a 14-month-old won't eat is time wasted. Moreover, these things make taking care of children become more stressful and stressful.
Instead, focus on improving your 14-month-old anorexic by following the rest of the steps below. The changes from the choice and form of dishes to creating a comfortable space for eating, the psychology of mother and baby are important things.

3. Focus on improving the situation of 14-month-old children refusing to eat

With concerns about what to do with 14-month-old anorexic children, parents can do it in the following ways:
Parents model eating a variety of foods for children to follow. Children should eat together with meals. Eat family meals, participate in exchanges with other members to build correct eating behavior. Give your baby a chance to taste adult foods that are suitable for her to feel her own growth Practice letting her feel internal body cues such as hunger or satiety as well as interest , delicious. Prioritize choosing foods rich in energy and nutrients necessary for healthy physical activity and growth according to the weight and height chart in young children. Follow the rules for designing children's menus every day, including a clear division between meals. A main meal for a child should not last more than 30 minutes; If the child does not consume all the food on the plate, the meal should be stopped and wait for the next meal. Encourage your baby to choose his or her own foods and how to eat them, a form of self-directed weaning. Limit giving your baby breast milk or formula so that your baby can cooperate with solid foods. Do not abuse synthetic nutritional supplements. In addition, parents absolutely do not let children eat and play at the same time because it will distract the child, make the child lose the ability to focus on the taste of food or the feeling of hunger, and even increase the risk of choking. airway object when swallowed.

4. Periodic health check-ups for children

A 14-month-old child refusing to eat or experiencing gastrointestinal problems could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. This possibility is particularly questionable when anorexia is accompanied by evidence of delayed physical and motor growth of the child.
Accordingly, medical screening for children at any time is necessary. Congenital structural abnormalities of the digestive system are quite common. If this is the case sometimes need to be nourished according to a special diet. Some children even require surgical intervention to completely correct the digestive function to meet the needs of the child's continuous development in each stage.

5. Professional consultation

It's never too late to see a pediatrician or dietitian. This can help educate parents to detect the onset of an eating disorder early and prevent it from progressing.
When going to the doctor's appointment, parents need to make a list of worries or difficulties such as what to do when a 14-month-old baby is anorexic or what to do when a child eats on mouth. Parents should also have a copy of their child's growth chart ready and discuss with their doctor the most effective and appropriate nutritional intervention for their child.
In short, 14-month-old anorexic, even though parents are always worried, this is a fairly common problem. And fortunately, the condition is confined to this age of the child and early intervention greatly improves the prognosis. Still important is the knowledge and skills of parents to raise children; monitor the child's growth month by month, visit the pediatric health by appointment and consult a specialist when necessary.
In addition, to avoid prolonged anorexia, parents need to add the necessary micronutrients: zinc, selenium, chromium, vitamins B1 and B6, ginger, acerola fruit extract (vitamin C), . .. to improve taste, eat well, achieve height, weight right and exceed standards, good immune system, strengthen resistance to less sickness and less digestive problems.
Also according to leading nutrition experts, parents need to be calm and persistent when supplementing with nutrients for children, even through eating or functional foods. In particular, the use of functional foods should choose those of natural origin that are easily absorbed, do not allow children to use many types at the same time or continuously change the types of functional foods. Besides, nutritionists also emphasize on the role of biological zinc; Parents should learn and supplement zinc for children properly at the appropriate time, to avoid zinc deficiency affecting the comprehensive development of children.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.