For mothers who have little ones aged 1-5 years, of course often dealing with the problem of feeding your little one. At this age, your little appetite is very easy to change. Sometimes he really likes to eat, but sometimes he is really reluctant or his appetite is low.
Investigate the factors underlying the decrease in appetite
Some conditions can underlie a decrease in appetite in your child. For example, when teething, being sick, or there are major changes in the environment.
However, the decline in eating patterns that occur in this situation is generally only temporary. After the pain passed and the situation in the environment made him comfortable again, Little will return to have an appetite as before.
Then, what if your child constantly has a low appetite? Maybe he has his own food preferences.
Basically, in the age range of 1-5 years, Little has begun to sort out what he wants and what he does not want. Starting from the variety of activities, clothes that he will wear, to food choices.
Therefore, do not be surprised if your child is served food, not all will be eaten. To work around this, try giving Little One a few food menu choices before the dish is served and let him determine for yourself.
Of course this variety of choices must be truly nutritious, not just filling calories. With a menu that the child has chosen himself, usually the desire to eat will increase. Especially if Mother can be more creative in the form of presentation – for example, rice is formed by a car or a panda doll like what the Little One likes.
In order not to get bored easily with the mainstay menu, Mother also must be smart to vary the variety of food. Remember, carbohydrates don’t always have to be with rice. You can substitute potatoes, sweet potatoes, or homemade pasta.
Similarly, protein, vegetables, and fruit. In addition to avoiding boredom, providing a variety of foods can help complete your child’s needs for various types of vitamins and nutrients during growth and development.
Avoid scolding and punishing
Often, to force your child to finish his food, Mother provides threats or punishment if he is reluctant to do so. In fact, this attitude cannot be justified.
Little eat to relieve hunger, not to avoid punishment or other unpleasant things. So, don’t force your little one when you don’t want to eat. In principle, Little will eat by itself if you feel hungry.
For portions, leave it to Little. The portion that Mother considers adequate, can be a very torturous measure for her stomach. So, the thing to remember is still to provide foods that are full of nutrition that your child might like. How much is eaten, leave it to their own desires.
Stop feeding when Little already says full. Why, later Little will lack of nutrition? Relax, Mother can work around this too.
Give solid food full of nutrients
For your little one who is very easy to say full, Mother must be smarter to regulate nutrient density and also calories in one dish. For example, when making home nuggets, you can add grated cheese or meat to add nutritional value in one bite.
Even though the amount that your child eats is not much, if his nutrition and calories are solid, his needs can still be fulfilled. Similarly, the selection of other intake such as milk. Although it should not be used as a substitute for main food, milk choices should also be a concern.