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Picky eater – when it becomes a problem?
By admin | September 16, 2007
When being a parent, your biggest concern is to provide your child with the best nutrition possible. When your child becomes picky with eating habits, you may have a problem. But, some children are picky eaters and still healthy, some of them develop this habit only for a short period of time, but some kids can be in danger. How can you recognize when your child has a problem and how an you help?
Parents often worry about their child’s nutrition. When picky eating occurs, your concern about does your child get enough calories and does your child have healthy nutrition that is good for his/her health.
There are signs that can help you realize if your child is just a picky eater or if your child might be in danger. Make sure your pediatrician is aware of your child’s condition!
If your baby has the same weight for several months of being picky eater, there should be no worry. That might mean that your baby has developed some special eating habits – maybe your little one prefers different kind of food. You need to pay special attention to child’s eating habits, and that will help you understand what to cook or make differently. Also, if you think that your child eats less than usual, make a list of foods that are his favorite. This will help you see objectively and also, you will be surprised how big the list is!
But, if your little angel has lost some weight, or hasn’t gains any weight from two to six months, there might be a problem. Panicking won’t help, so it’s the best if you could sit down and try to remember your baby’s eating habits. Things such as when did this first happen, what are the actual foods that your child doesn’t eat anymore… might help. Make a list and see a pediatrician. Tell him your concerns and listen carefully.
There are usually many different ways that can help your little one to develop new, healthy habits and get proper nutrition.
Loss of weight is only one of the signs that can be considered dangerous. Some of them are :
1. Lack of energy – if your child used to have more energy, and now you feel like that the energy level is low, it’s possible that the nutrition is the reason for that.
2. Frequent colds – this is a sign that your child’s immunity is not at it’s very best.
3. Behavioral problems – any change in your child’s behavior may occur because of bad nutrition. Nervous child, waining, aggressive child… You know it’s time for a change.
4. Skin problems – white skin, no cheek color, dark circles around eyes…
As a parent, it’s important to know the difference between picky and selective eater.
Picky eater eats foods from four food groups: dairy, meat and protein, grain and cereal and fruit and vegetables. They have mostly balanced diet.
Selective eater eat an abnormally limited variety of food, often avoiding one or more whole food groups. They may avoid some food groups and make a great scenes if you try to talk to them about eating them.
Topics: Baby's Health, Child Psychology, Nutrition, Parenting | No Comments »
