How do we improve our daughter's eating habits?
Dr Vidya Gupta
Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist,
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital,
New Delhi
Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist,
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital,
New Delhi
Q: Our three years old daughter is a fussy eater. We have to force her to eat everyday. Please suggest some tonic, syrup or diet plan that would improve her eating habits.
A:Force feeding a child never helps. Please allow her to feel hungry (i.e. give her enough time between meals to get hungry). Offer her foods that she likes, offer her the same food that you eat yourself. If she refuses it do not substitute it with milk. Leave her hungry. She will eat eventually and she will learn to enjoy her food. You will otherwise create a problem that will last throughout childhood.