In most cases, parents do not need to worry about a growing child's appetite. As long as the child is at a healthy weight, you don't likely need to be concerned that she is not eating enough. If you are worried that there may be a medical reason for your child's lack of appetite, contact your pediatrician. Once your child is feeling better, her appetite will likely improve without any intervention on your part.
Step 1
Set regular times for meals. Sporadic mealtimes may wreak havoc on a child's appetite. The Healthy Child Healthy World website recommends allowing your child to eat every during the day.
Step 2
Serve small portions. Your child may feel overwhelmed if you try to get him to eat more by overfilling his plate. Instead, give small portions and allow him to ask for more.
Step 3
Offer more than one type of food. Healthy Child Healthy World suggests giving the child at least three choices at mealtimes to improve her appetite.
Step 4
Limit the number of snacks you serve. A child should only have two snacks daily. If he eats more than that, he might not have room to eat dinner.
Step 5
Control your child's beverage intake. The Dr. Hull website suggests a limit of six ounces of juice and 16 ounces of milk daily if you want to stimulate the child's appetite. These beverages are high in calories and may cause a lack in appetite if given in excess.
Step 6
Monitor what you say in front of your child. She might respond poorly if she hears how poor her appetite is. Stop putting so much emphasis on how much she eats and try instead to keep meals a happy and enjoyable time for her.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are concerned about nutritional deficiencies, ask your doctor about multivitamin supplements for children.
Member Comments