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Health

How to increase the appetite of a child?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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How to increase the appetite of a child - this issue is a burning issue for many moms facing the fact that their child very badly eats.

The primary task for resolving this kind of problem is to identify the main reasons for this and take appropriate measures to improve the child's appetite. There is a number of reasons for the child to refuse to eat in the right amount. Justification of this phenomenon is the availability of certain psycho-emotional problems, selective appetite, that is, the discrepancy between the offered dishes and the taste preferences of the child, or snacks with milk, sweets or cookies at inopportune time in addition to basic meals.

In cases where it is necessary to stimulate the appetite of a child, it should be remembered that the use of such effective and effective means as bitterness for this purpose is not fully acceptable, since liquid dosage forms with alcohol content are not recommended for use in younger children. In addition, it is often very problematic to achieve that the baby took the same as for adults, a medical product that does not differ particularly pleasant taste. Therefore, with respect to children from all forms of medications that contain bitterness, those that are presented as tablets are justified. Or else it can be special dietary supplements with bitterness. A good effect for stimulating the child's appetite is achieved even if there is only one bitterness in the phytocomplex - dandelion or wormwood. Giving to drink them to the child follows from 20 minutes to half an hour before eating.

The special teas, brewed on berries of barberry and juniper, from anise and caraway seeds, with rose hips, black mountain ash and black currant, are remarkable for the increase of children's appetite. In this respect, strawberry, apple, sea-buckthorn, citrus fruits, kiwi are also good. Use such mouth-watering teas from 1 hour to 40 minutes before eating. The resulted fruit and berries can be used also in preparation for the child of salads in small portions on 30-50 grammes.

In conclusion, we need to say the following. When, in connection with a reduced appetite, there are no negative consequences such as a decrease in the rate of growth or body weight significantly less than the age norms, this does not cause an urgent need for immediate measures aimed at increasing the child's appetite. However, it would not be superfluous to consult a pediatrician and examine a small patient.

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How to increase the appetite of an infant?

The child's organism is a complex self-regulating system that can independently determine how much food is needed and what kind of food it should be to contribute to the process of full development and growth of the child. Therefore, if the baby does not eat well, this serves as a signal to establish that in the food received it does not suit him, and what to replace those components of the menu from which the failure occurs. And also due to what to ensure for him the receipt of those or other missing substances. The main goal that becomes before the parents in this case is reduced to stimulating the child's independent desire to eat.

Before approaching the solution of the problem of how to increase the appetite for an infant, it is necessary to take into account that a decrease in appetite can be one of the symptoms of this or that morbid condition. Significant weakening or complete absence of hunger in case of illness can be provoked by a decrease in the level of production of all the secrets involved in digestion, and a violation of the evacuation function of the stomach. Previously received food remains in it for a longer time, and as a result, there is no famine. The course of severe diseases significantly weakens the child's body, and the child does not have the strength to eat, he has no appetite.

The deterioration in appetite of a breast-fed baby may have the following reasons. If a nursing mother has a flat-shaped nipple or a taut chest, the baby can hardly suck. He also may not like the taste of milk. The difficulty in the process of sucking can be due to the presence of increased gas formation or constipation, or this problem is associated with shortness of breath from a cold in a child. He also has pain when feeding because of thrush.

In order to increase the appetite of the baby, there are a number of practical recommendations. Must be obligatory stay in the fresh air for a sufficient amount of time. You should not require the baby to eat up to the end all the offered portion. Let him eat a little, but more often. Also, you should not require to eat through strength, those products about which the kid makes it clear that they do not like him - in order to avoid the appearance of the child's negative perception of the process of eating. The key to success in this regard is food that looks appetizing and matches the tastes of crumbs. It is important that the food was not only delicious, but also from useful and quality products.

Ways and means, the use of which can help with the complete refusal of the child from food intake, will prompt the doctor, whose visit to the case is mandatory. Such a doctor's consultation will help determine the range of causes and make an appointment of appropriate drugs to eliminate this problem. A healthy, active and fun kid, even if not a very important eater, should he get hungry, will certainly eat. There are no grounds for concern if he has height and weight - according to age norms.

How to increase the appetite of a teenager?

With the entry of a child into adolescent, transitional, age, there can be significant changes in his appetite. A very significant change in the eating habits of a teenager is possible, even if nothing similar has been observed before the age of 13-14. Adolescent girls suddenly start refusing food to save the figure, and one of the boys may think that it is fat and you must definitely lose weight. Proceeding from this, it can be said that the reasons for the decrease in appetite in adolescents are largely psycho-emotional. The task of parents, before beginning to look for ways to increase the appetite of a teenager, should therefore be reduced to approaching this question with all parental understanding, and also to determine if it is not necessary to turn to a child psychologist. It is also necessary to conduct an examination of a teenager for violations of the functioning of organs participating in the digestive, gastrointestinal and pancreatic processes. You should also check the status of the endocrine system, find out if the teenager is in nervous overstrain or is experiencing stress.

Of the medications that contribute to increased appetite, it is advisable to include in the diet of a teenager vitamin formulations and biologically active additives with zinc content. The lack of that element leads to a violation of the sense of taste and smell, to a decrease in appetite. When zinc deficiency is replenished, the body normalizes appetite after 30 to 60 days after starting the use of zinc-containing drugs.

Appetite also increases when using vitamin preparations in the dosage form of capsules containing amber and citric acid.

Teenagers suffering from asthenia and having a reduced appetite may be justified by the appointment of plant adaptogens: ginseng, aralia, eleutherococcus, pink radiola, Chinese magnolia vine, etc., because of the active influence on the hormonal balance in the body, they can be prescribed only by a medical specialist.

Not the last value in terms of stimulating the appetite of a teenager has a sufficient level of physical activity. After school, let him, for example, engage in some sports section, walk more in the fresh air.

It would be superfluous also to refuse the presence of a house of that food that can damage the appetite (chips, sausages, sausages, sweet fizzy drinks, cakes, sweets, cookies). In addition, it is worth trying beautifully to serve the table, with dishes of different colors, to give the usual reception of food a nuance of festive mood, thereby contributing to the excitement of appetite.

Carrying out a number of the above recommendations of dietitians, it becomes possible to successfully overcome the problem of refusing food from children in transition years.

Means that increase appetite in children

The simplest and most affordable way to stimulate the child's appetite is to offer the baby a little bit of sour apple juice, 30 minutes before the main meal. This promotes active production of gastric juice.

A variety of products that increase appetite in children offers alternative medicine.

Many recipes are known with the use of various medicinal plants. For this purpose, there is an effective use of barberry and juniper berries, dog rose, black currant, sea buckthorn, chokeberry, caraway seeds and anise seeds. The undeniable advantage of these products is that they have a pleasant and sweet taste, respectively, the child will be more willing to take them than the bitter tinctures and decoctions of their wormwood, dandelion root, chicory, ayr, yarrow. Although the latter and differ more pronounced effect of the excitation of appetite, because of their use increases gastro-secretory function. Phytopreparations for appetite should be given to the child from half an hour to 20 minutes before the main meal.

Well proven in terms of contributing to children's appetite are various homeopathic remedies that have in their composition cynic - wormwood, cichlivum, colicum, calcium and magnesium salts.

The pharmacological industry today offers a variety of drugs that enhance the appetite of children. Among them, we particularly note Elkar with the content of levocarnitine (carniphyte), lysine, glycine, enzyme preparation Creon.

If a child does not eat well or refuses to eat, this does not necessarily mean that in all cases it is an extreme reason for parents to worry. All that is required in such a situation is to calmly and judiciously weigh and analyze all possible factors and circumstances that may cause the child's refusal to eat. Based on the range of identified possible causes, a selection of appropriate means to increase appetite. It is important not to forget that the appointment of medications for the appetite of a child can be carried out only by a pediatrician following a consultation with him.

Vitamins that increase appetite in children

When a child receives along with the food in all the necessary volume of vitamins and minerals, this is a significant factor that causes the active development of all systems of the child's organism, which most positively contributes to all the processes taking place in it and which has a beneficial effect on strengthening immunity. On the other hand, when a variety of useful components are not available in sufficient quantities, the child becomes more vulnerable to various diseases, sleep is broken - insomnia develops, the child becomes moody, and lacks a desire to eat. In this case, vitamins that increase appetite in children are included in the number of corresponding complex measures for restoring the normal functioning of the child's organism, along with intensification of physical exertion, analysis and optimal organization of the diet and correction of dietary habits, and with the prevention of stress factors.

It is very important to form the child's appetite and stimulate the desire of children to eat vitamin A. Thanks to him, it becomes possible to maintain the mucous membranes in a healthy state, this vitamin also strengthens the immune system of the child. The lack of vitamin A is indicated by peeling on the skin, an increased inclination of the child to develop infectious diseases, and deterioration of vision in the dark. Replenish the deficit will help the use of broccoli, milk and dairy products, carrots, liver, eggs.

Reduced appetite is one of the main signs of a lack of vitamins belonging to group B. In addition, the necessity of replenishing their presence in the child's body is indicated by excessive fatigue or possible violations in the activity of the heart. Being in due quantity, vitamins B 1, B 2, B 3, B 6, B 7, B 12 participate in the process of energy production in the body, promote the normalization of the functioning of the central nervous system and maintain the optimal state of the psychoemotional sphere. Rich content of vitamins B is found in bread and brewer's yeast, in cereals, nuts, in meat and liver.

To improve appetite in children, they are recommended to take ascorbic acid - vitamin C. Its role is important in the processes of energy release from fats, as well as for modeling of immunity. Ascorbic acid helps in addition to avoid such a negative phenomenon as bleeding gums. There is vitamin C in many fruits and berries, in green leafy vegetables, in citrus fruits.

The benefits of vitamins in terms of contributing to an increase in the child's appetite beyond doubt is the place to be, and not a little. However, in order for the use of such vitamins to have the proper effect without the development of negative consequences, one must strictly adhere to a number of rules: to strictly follow the instructions to a particular prescription drug and not to exceed its admissible doses.

Products that increase appetite in children

With the aim of helping to cope with such a widespread problem for many parents as the lack of a child's appetite, it is advisable to include certain foods in the ration of baby food.

A beneficial effect on the formation of appetite is able to provide a number of the following berries and fruits. The most acceptable is their use for cooking mouth-watering teas for a child from:

  • juniper and barberry berries;
  • anise and caraway seeds;
  • chokeberry and black currant;
  • dogrose fruits;
  • sea-buckthorn;
  • apples;
  • kiwi;
  • citrus fruits.

The appetite supplements in children mentioned above can be offered to a child who also eats poorly in the form of a 30-50 gram portion of fruit salad from 1 hour to 40 minutes before the main meal.

All sorts of spices are well known for their appetizing action. Using the simplest of them - pepper, cloves garlic seasoning and other added to food does not hurt children at the age of only three years. The remarkable effect of stimulating the child's appetite is achieved very easily, even in such a simple combination as any of the above spices in addition to boiled potatoes.

To promote an increase in the appetite of a child in a state of foods that have a sour taste, because as a result of their ingestion, the gastric juice begins to be intensively produced. Enough baby for a while before you start the main meal, eat half an apple, an orange slice, drink a sweet juice or tea with a lemon - and his refusal from the subsequent breakfast, lunch or dinner will not follow.

A beneficial effect on the regulation of the digestive system of the child, including in terms of appetite formation, can be medicated. He also contributes to better weight gain.

To eliminate the existing negative changes in the child's appetite from the parents, it often takes a lot of time and effort and a lot of patience. It can be said that the measures taken to increase children's appetite will be successful in so far as the causes are clearly identified and ascertained, and also how they follow the medical and dietary recommendations, and the advice of psychologists.

Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "How to increase the appetite of a child?" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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