Q: My 1.8 years old son is a very fussy eater and refuses to eat everything including rice, vegetables, fruits, biscuits, chocolates, ice creams, juices and any other thing, but when he gets hungry he cries a lot. Even at that time, he refuses to eat anything solid or semisolid. So, we have to give him milk, which he readily accepts. We are giving him milk on an average 5 times a day (around 125 ml each time). Now I have started giving him health drinks like junior horlicks and pediasure. Is it recommended to give him health drinks? How should I make him eat solid and semisolid food? Is it fine, if he takes only milk? He is playing and sleeping well, and his growth and development are also normal. His weight is 12 kg.

A:Supplements like pediasure and horlicks may be used after the age of 2 years. I will strongly recommend that you decrease the milk intake. Without that there is no way your child is going to eat solid food. If he does not eat even for a couple of days or even as long as a week do not substitute milk for meal times. As long as you are giving milk frequently your child will not eat.