How to increase the food intake in a 2-year-old child?

Question

Hello doctor,

My son is two years old. He was drinking only mother's milk. He did not eat anything else. Now I have stopped breast-feeding my child. His attitude has changed now. He eats only salty things. He does not eat sweet things. He does not drink any other milk. When I put any other milk in his mouth, he does not drink. He does not eat more and is very weak. I am too worried about his health. Tell me how my child's health will improve and how to make my child eat more.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

As per recommendation, breastfeeding is to be continued until two years of age. Complementary feeding is started at six months of age and slowly increased to meet the body's needs and growth demands. The complementary feed should consist of cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and protein-rich sources like eggs, paneer, etc. Now that your child is one year old, he should be put on a complete, nutritious diet.

Avoid marketed products like chocolates, biscuits, chips, etc. Give him a home-based diet rich in nutrition.Meet a dietician, who will make a diet chart for your baby so that he grows well.I would suggest you deworm your child with the Albendazole (anthelmintics) oral suspension, 400 mg (milligrams) or 10 ml (milliliters), stat (start immediately), as a single dose.Get your child evaluated by a pediatrician for complete anthropometry and deficiency signs.

I suggest you consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and take the medicines with their consent.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.