Few of my friends are always worried about their child's growth. Natasha always keeps me asking why her daughter is not gaining weight and why she falls sick again and again. The worms are parasites which feed off the host’s body and eventually result in malnutrition, affecting the healthy growth of the child. Worms may get entry into abdomen and create health problems . Though all age groups can get worms, kids are more susceptible. Worms in abdomen can affect the appetite and ultimately growth of a child. When a child is not eating properly we assume he is showing tantrums or too busy in playing and ignore it but it can be worms those are troubling the stomach. When to suspect worms? Itchy bottom, which is usually worse at night Redness around the bottom area Restlessness due to itching Difficulty in falling asleep Visible worms – small, white and 8-13 mm long (often mistaken for bits of toilet paper!) ...
The kids are really difficult to understand. When they eat all we offer those are the glorious days to be mentioned in golden letters and when they don't eat as we wish those are the worst days. Sometimes toddler decides just not to have certain foods while this is difficult for us to cope up with this. It is frustrating when child is fussy eater. But don't worry , as every child becomes fussy sometime in this stage of life.
It is very normal for kids to be fussy and to like some food one day and to dislike and refuse it next day.
Why?
As the kids learn to eat themselves , refusing certain foods may be their way of showing independence and telling, you can not control everything what they eat.
Fear for new foods can be another reason. It is a human nature to be defensive against eating potentially unsafe or dangerous foods. This is called neophobia. Many kids may show mild food neophobia time to time.
The child's appetite may vary sometimes depending on their activity.
In the illnesses appetite is generally low.
How should a parent react?
Don't pressurise or it may backfire.
If the child is gaining weight properly and is good in energy then you should not worry.
How to deal with it?
* Make sure pleasant atmosphere at meal time.
* Set an example by eating same food.
* Offer small servings at a time.
* Don't force feed.
* Present the food in interesting way. You can cut in attractive shapes or
combine and make the food look colourful.
* Praise for good eating behavior.
* If the child is fussing about food, don't give much attention to it as by doing
this you may encourage him or her to do the same.
* Turn off TV while eating so everyone can talk to each other.
* Introduce as many as foods in early childhood so the child adapts early.
Researchers say a child needs to be offered a new food 15 times before he starts eating it.
* Provide a variety of healthy foods throughout the day. Give them options. If
you are giving daal and rice , give some curd after it. Or a chicken sandwich
followed by some yoghurt.
* Many children adore cooking, you can involve your child in making or serving
his food. This can develop interest in food.
* Parents should resist the temptation of offering sugary or fatty snacks as
substitute or as reward for eating healthy food.
* Try to make your own healthy snacking items so the kids don't tempt for
unhealthy junk foods.
* Keep unhealthy empty calorie snacks out of reach of kids and healthy options
like cut fruits available .
* Give water to drink between two meals , sometimes kids forget to drink
adequate amount of water and can develop constipation.
* Avoid giving high calorie , artificially sweetened and aereated drinks.
*Your child may be a slow eater , give him or her ample time.
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