Toddlers have difficulty eating? the following causes and how to fix it

Toddlers' appetite is difficult to predict. There are times that he can be very greedy eating food, but other times he may refuse the food you give him. This condition often makes parents anxious about their child's nutritional and nutritional needs, whether they are still being met or not. So, why is the toddler's appetite difficult to control, even to the point of having difficulty eating? The following is an explanation and how to deal with toddlers who have difficulty eating.

Cause toddlers have difficulty eating

Children who have difficulty eating do make parents anxious because they are worried that their nutrition will not be fulfilled. It is this unpredictable appetite for toddlers that often makes it difficult to eat.

As a result, children often refuse the various types of food that you offer. Here are some reasons why toddlers don't want to eat.

Unpredictable eating habits

Quoting from the Family Doctor, the eating habits of toddlers can be the cause for him to have difficulty eating. Sometimes, there are times when children want to eat the same food menu a week. Then in the following week the child does not want to touch the food he liked last week.

In addition, other unhealthy eating habits that can trigger toddlers have difficulty eating are snacking at mealtimes.

Reported on the About Kids Health page, this habit makes children refuse to eat at the scheduled time.

Here are some other habits that make it difficult for toddlers to eat:

Children drink too much juice and other sweet drinks
Toddlers are less mobile, so they don't burn their energy which makes them feel less hungry

Although it is often annoying and anxious, this eating habit is nothing to worry about because it is often experienced by every child.

But if it lasts too long, immediately consult a doctor so that your baby's nutritional intake is not disturbed.

Sensitivity or allergies to certain foods

Sometimes there are conditions that make children sensitive to certain foods, such as celiac. This is a reaction to protein and gluten in the body and makes the child uncomfortable and even feels sick when eating certain foods.

Picky eater

Providing a food menu for toddlers is not easy, so you need to be flexible in the cooking process.

If your toddler has a hard time eating vegetables, you might occasionally crush the vegetables and mix them into a sweet-tasting beef steak that kids often love.

If your child doesn't feel like eating rice, provide other carbohydrates such as making tek-tek noodles or spaghetti carbonara which taste delicious.

To make it easier, you can make a list of foods that your little one likes by asking him directly.

Involve children in the process of selecting menus and cooking ingredients so that your little one has a happy feeling with their food.

Cooking with children

Don't imagine the cooking process going to be messy, but the benefits behind it. Kids Health explained, there are several benefits of cooking with children apart from making it easier to eat, namely:

Build basic skills of children

The cooking process revolves around certain serving portions of food, for example, rice, eggs, and flour. This activity can make children learn to count simple quantities.

When you read a cooking recipe with your little one it is also a way of introducing new words to him. This can also train the child's hearing skills, in addition to making it easier for him to eat.

Children try new things

At the age of 2-5 years, toddlers are happy to try new things. When you take him to the kitchen, he will learn to open up to new things. He will see the cooking process and the food menu that has never been tasted before.

Cooking together can encourage children to taste the new food you are making. Of course, this can reduce children refusing to eat or even difficulty eating.

Increase self-confidence

When your little one takes the ingredients according to their wishes, it is one way to increase the child's self-confidence. Involve the child in making food so that he feels needed and important in the cooking role.

Make menu display more exciting

Provide healthy and delicious food with a look that will make your toddler eat appetite even though you need more effort to find the recipe. But still pay attention to the child's food portions according to their age.

2 year olds should receive 2 tablespoons each of vegetables, rice and meat. If your little one is still hungry, you can increase the portion.

In addition, avoid forcing children to finish all their food so that trauma does not occur. When they feel full, allow your little one to stop eating.

Not giving food as a reward or punishment

It's best to avoid making meals as a reward or punishment. If your child won't eat, accept the refusal.

Even if you're worried, don't show him that you are upset by his refusal. When toddlers are just looking for attention, anger is what they want. This behavior will become a habit at a later date.

When should I see a doctor to treat a toddler with difficulty eating?

You need to worry if the condition of a toddler has difficulty eating this has lasted more than two weeks and affects his weight.

If you want to consult a doctor, there are several questions you can ask, for example:

How much food should a child eat in one day?
Are there foods you can try on your child every day?
Is it necessary to provide dietary supplements, such as high protein, to increase children's nutrition?
Is it necessary to provide high-calorie formula milk to gain weight in children?
is picky eater can be lost from the child's eating habits?
Should you worry if your child doesn't want to eat for several days in a row?

The questions above can be tailored to the needs and conditions of the child.