Why the kid does not want to eat anything
At 3 years old, the baby shows the firstindependence. He strives to do many things on his own, without the help of adults. He tests his mother and grandmother for "strength" by refusing to fulfill their demands. The child tries to "expand his boundaries".
If a child of 3 years old does not eat, try to give himsome freedom in eatingPhoto: Getty In relation to food, the baby also demonstrates his rights. This is not only defending himself, but also a protest, a fight for justice. There are several good reasons why the baby does not want to eat:
- He is a picky eater. He does not need much food to be full. Large portions make him afraid. In this case, you need to give the child less food, but it should be more nutritious.
- The fight for independence against parental pressure. In this case, it is necessary to calm down and reduce the "heat of passions".
- The desire to attract attention.If the baby lacks attention, especially when a new family member is born, the "adult" child strives to "get" mom by any means. Even if mom is angry, she is still with him. Here you should not give in to provocation, but it is worth considering that the baby is jealous.
- Stress.Unpleasant events in the family, anxious expectations, a bad atmosphere at the table, increased demands on the child during meals - all this can discourage the baby's appetite. Do not demonstrate intra-family conflicts to the baby, create a friendly atmosphere at the table.
- Insufficient physical activity. The child "burns off" little energy, he simply is not hungry.
- Preference of some dishes to others. Make a variety in the baby's diet.
You should also pay attention to the child's well-being. Sometimes poor appetite is associated with illness.
What to do if the baby does not eat well
Since most of the reasons are not related toillness, try to find out from the baby the reason for poor appetite. If you fail to find out, do not use threats and punishments: this is senseless and harmful. Choose dishes that the baby likes, gradually introducing new components into them. If the child wants to feel like an adult, give him this opportunity. Give him more freedom in eating. Put the offered dish on the table and draw the child's attention to it. If he eats well, ignores - put the food in the refrigerator. Without active pressure, the baby will begin to focus on his needs for food. In the fight for appetite, it is important to take into account the reasons for its absence. Add physical activity to the baby. Consult a psychologist if you cannot cope on your own.
