A child refusing to eat is a phenomenon that every mother has gone through at some point in time. This can get too frustrating for the caregiver and can force them into having anger outbursts and the child to have emotional meltdowns. You might be wondering why this actually happens and how you can overcome this and get your baby to have proper meals. Don’t worry yourself out because we have all the answers that you want.
Why does a child refuse to eat?
- It isn’t always the norm that your child will throw a tantrum at mealtimes just because they are picky-eaters. There can be a lot of other reasons for your child to not eat the food that you serve him.
- These reasons can be about them not feeling well, feeling that the food quantity is a lot, feeling bored and wanting to play, feeling tired, or just not feeling hungry enough.
- If you keep pressuring your child to eat, chances are that their appetite is going to decrease all the more. If you keep disregarding their feelings, then it might trigger them into pushing the food away.
How to overcome this?
- Some boundaries need to be set. If you see that your child is feeling uncomfortable because of the constant forcing and punishing, then stop immediately.
- Give them enough space to choose what they want to eat and when they want to eat it.
- The authority to make their own meals as you lay out the ingredients in front of them can get them more invested in the process of eating.
It is a proven fact that children aged between 2 to 5 years will refuse to eat food every time you offer them. As their parent, you must remain calm and handle them with utmost care while giving them enough space.
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Note: The information contained in these topics is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Nothing contained in these topics is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.