az
发帖数: 16686 | 1 【 以下文字转载自 Parenting 讨论区 】
发信人: az (小人最新语录：拉臭臭，洗屁屁), 信区: Parenting
标 题: When Toddlers Refuse to Eat
发信站: BBS 未名空间站 (Mon Nov 8 11:07:52 2010, 美东)
Food Strikes
Your former champion eater now turns her nose up at everything. Where did
her appetite go?
What it is: Your little one used to have a steady appetite. Now she refuses
to eat much of anything, including her favorite foods.
Why it happens: A drop in appetite is to be expected at this stage of
development. Your child is experiencing a normal slowdown in growth from her
baby year — and with it a need for fewer calories and food. In addition, a
growing desire for control (recognize the theme?) and involvement in the
world around her (who wants to take time out to eat when there are so many
other exciting things to do?) also contribute to her erratic eating.
What you need to know: Try not to worry. Your toddler's refusal to eat is
usually temporary. A young child's interest in food will wax and wane —
dipping during teething, spiking during growth spurts, dropping during bouts
of contrariness, and so on. But over a period of several days or weeks,
most toddlers consume the necessary nutrients needed to thrive. As long as
your child continues to gain weight and inches and remains healthy (aside
from the usual colds) — and as long as her weekly total intake seems
sufficient (don't look at each day in a vacuum) — there's little reason for
concern. (Welcome to the toddler years!) When should you worry? Consult
your child's doctor if you notice any unusual weakness, lethargy, fatigue,
fever, prolonged irritability, or weight loss.
What to do about it:
* Don't take it personally. Just because your child rejects the food in
front of her doesn't mean she's rejecting you. It's also not a reflection of
your parenting skills.
* Avoid pressuring your child. Research has shown that children who are
pushed or coerced into eating are more likely to develop food-related
problems. Instead, let your toddler decide how much to eat and when to stop.
This will teach self-regulating skills when it comes to food. When your
child is finished eating, let her leave the table.
* Provide healthy choices. While you can't — and shouldn't — make your
child eat, you can make sure that what's on her plate is nutritious and
nourishing. For tips on tempting a finicky palate, see Picky Eating.
* Keep it small. Start with undersized portions and offer seconds if she
wants more. A mountain of food can be overwhelming ("You want me to eat all
that?!") and she might just reject it all if it feels like it's too much to
tackle.
* Reconsider your child's seating arrangement. Is your toddler trying to
tell you she's outgrown her high chair? She may be more willing to sit down
for a full meal if she doesn't feel confined. (Most toddlers are ready for
booster seats when they understand directions and regularly follow them.)
* Make mealtimes a pleasant, low-key experience — free of distractions
(like the TV or siblings playing nearby).
* Talk to your pediatrician about giving your child a daily vitamin-
mineral supplement made for toddlers. |
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