How to Deal With the Toddler Appetite Slump
Mealtimes can be difficult when you have a child who seemingly won't eat anything. It happens more commonly than you may think. As a child transitions from an infant to toddler, their calorie needs change.
From the age of one to five, it鈥檚 normal for a child鈥檚 appetite to slow down. However, it can be nerve-wracking for parents who may worry about whether their child is eating enough.
鈥淭he main way to prevent feeding struggles is to teach your child to feed themselves," says Cindy Gellner, MD, a pediatrician at 麻豆学生精品版. "Let your child pace their feeding. Remember, your child will survive this picky-eating slump.鈥
Here鈥檚 how to get through this eating power struggle:
Trust Your Child
Your child鈥檚 brain will make sure they are getting enough calories for energy and growth. If your child is hungry, they will eat.
Don鈥檛 Force Feed
Doing so will make mealtime feel more like a punishment and lead to them eating less.
Limit Snacks
Offering snacks all day could lead to your child never feeling hungry. Try to limit snacks to no more than two a day.
Limit Beverage Calories
If your child is thirsty between meals, offer them water. Juice will only keep them from feeling hungry and wanting to eat at mealtimes.
Don鈥檛 Spoon Feed
Once Your child is old enough to use a spoon, don鈥檛 spoon feed them.
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