how to feed baby

how to feed baby

Mothers are endlessly worried about their baby eating less or not eating at all. So Moira, as if she is busy feeding the child all day. Some mothers think that the baby is not getting enough breast milk and therefore is not gaining weight. Pediatrician and president of Bangladesh Children’s Infectious Diseases Physicians Association professor Dr. Manjur Hossain.

In the case of two-three-year-old children, the main complaint of mothers is that the child does not want to eat, so it is not growing as before. Remember, babies gain weight rapidly at birth and then slowly gain weight. During the first 3 months, the baby gains about 28-30 grams a day. From 4 months weight gain decreases and increases to about 20 grams per day. After 6 months, many babies gain about 10 grams per day or less.

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That is 600 grams per month in the first 6 months and 500 grams per month in the first few months of the 2nd 6 months, which is 400 grams in 9-10 months and 300 grams in 11-12 months is the desired weight gain. A baby’s birth weight usually doubles after 6 months and triples after 1 year. At the end of the first year and into the second year, the child’s physical growth rate slows down; Then weight gain slows down and height growth rate is high. For example, 25 cm in the first year,

Height increases by 12 cm in 2nd year, 11 in 3rd and 4th year, 5 cm in 6th and 5th year respectively. But weight gain is 2.5 grams in the 1st year, and then 2 kilo grams every year. At this time, the child dislikes the same food every day. At this age, the demand for food with different tastes increases. Therefore, it is not right to determine the amount of food according to the growth rate of the body.

Although in some cases physical illness is responsible for unpleasant conditions. Malnutrition, anemia and stunted growth naturally occur. Bacterial infections are frequent, resulting in loss of appetite. If the child is anemic, malnourished, the child’s agility and mobility decrease.

However, in most cases, some irregularities and feeding habits are the main reason for the child not wanting to eat. Overfeeding, formula feeding, wrong feeding, food allergies can cause food reluctance in the baby. Many times, to meet the needs of the child, feeding something else at an untimely time, i.e., the child is allowed to eat biscuits, fruits, chocolate, ice cream, etc.

On the other hand, many people sit down to feed the child on a routine or time basis, when it is time, but do not notice whether the child is hungry or not. Many people think that when they hear the baby crying, they are crying because of hunger. But babies can cry for many reasons. Some children become very restless without eating a little at a time. Some insist on feeding again after an hour because they are not full again, because of which the children are bored and don’t want to eat.

Because his stomach is not supposed to be hungry. These habits make the child reluctant to eat. If there is no physical problem or illness and if the physical growth of the child is normal and if the weight gain is normal, then the matter of not eating the children is just an emotional idea of the mother.

In this case, it is necessary to look at the following issues as one of the reasons for the child not eating:

▶ Children usually do not want to eat unless they are completely hungry. In addition, continuous and repeated feeding attempts create a kind of aversion to food in children.

▶ It is better to feed children according to routine. The tendency to give food every now and then creates a fear of food in children when they want to run away at the sight of food. Because he is not supposed to be hungry at all times except at certain meal times. Many children eat biscuits, fruit or fruit juice after coming back from school. An hour after that maybe lunch time. Then he might not want to eat.

Because he is already hungry. Many children eat biscuits, fruit, chocolate, ice cream etc. as they wish throughout the day and keep their stomach full. But don’t want to eat anything during the main meal. It is very normal. So, parents should aim to feed a moderate amount of balanced food on a routine basis. Do not eat biscuits, fruit, chocolate, ice cream or fast food in breakfast or before meal time.

▶ Pay attention to the taste of the food. Cook baby’s favorite food. If the child doesn’t get the right taste in the food, he will not want to eat and he will develop a kind of aversion to that food.

▶ Eat according to schedule. There is some difference in the time of hunger of the child according to the age. Get your baby used to eating on a regular schedule. What you are feeding is more important than when you are feeding. Don’t feed your baby hour after hour just because he doesn’t want to eat or won’t eat. Observe if the child is gaining weight if the child does not want to eat at all. Talk to a doctor if necessary. Don’t create a strong aversion to his food by feeding him every now and then.

▶ Observe age-appropriate meal intervals. Usually, up to 6 months, only breast milk should be given at intervals of two to three hours. 6 months to 1 year should be used to breast milk as well as complementary foods. Two- to three-year-old children should be hungry in due time if they do not eat any other food during their breaks.

▶ Do not force unnecessarily. Never try to force feed a baby. If you force feed him once, he will be afraid whenever you want to feed him. His interest in food will decrease.

▶ The habit of watching TV or cartoons while eating is very bad. If children are fed TV or cartoons, they will get used to them. Too much TV viewing is not healthy for children. On top of that, feeding while watching TV increases the risk of indigestion in the baby. Because at this time due to the attention on TV, the necessary digestive juices are not released from the stomach.

▶ Try to vary the food often. Vary the food instead of giving the same food every day. If she can express her feelings, find out what she wants to eat. Let him eat the food he likes in a healthy way.

▶ Tell him about the disadvantages of outside food especially fast food. It’s not that you don’t give outside food at all. When going to a party somewhere with the elders or going somewhere with the whole family, surely he can eat outside food. But don’t bring home food separately for him every day or take him out to eat.

▶ It should be observed whether the child is infected with worms. Worm infection in children is one of the reasons for not eating. Everyone in the family should be dewormed regularly, even the workboys. Keeping the baby free of worms will improve the baby’s appetite. It is important to always serve balanced and nutritious food. If nutritious food is served with the child’s taste and if the child is kept in a nice and clean environment, the child will grow properly.