9 Ways To Increase Your Baby’s Appetite

Poor appetite is a common problem among the babies and the toddlers. Suffering from cold and cough and fever is a common reason for the loss of appetite as even after recovering from fever, the digestion process takes longer to function properly again. Some of the other reasons for less appetite in babies and toddlers are a low level of zinc, unbalanced digestion, an inadequate gap between meals, too much of milk/dairy products. Here are a few tips that will help you to increase your child’s appetite. 

1. Compulsory Breakfast

It is well known that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast boosts metabolism and readies the body for the day’s works. Ensuring healthy breakfast bounds to increase your child’s appetite.

2. Give meals every two hours

Children have a high rate of metabolism as they are in growing age. The three meals a day are not enough to boost their digestive system to make them feel hungry. They should be given regular meals every two hours; it will improve their appetite.

3. Give water half an hour before the meal

Giving water 30 minutes before any meal wakes up the digestive system and puts it in an active state. Give them water the first thing in the morning for the same reason also because the body is dehydrated from the long night. These basics definitely help to increase the baby’s appetite.

4. Offer snacks as meals

Offer heavy snacks which are as good as meals if you want a better appetite for your child. Give a sandwich or a cookie instead of chips or cookies. Think of healthy replacements for snacks.

5. Don’t offer milk as a meal

Although it is said that milk is a complete meal in itself, it should not be served as a meal. Excess of milk, when it is taken as appetizers or snacks, kill the appetite for the next meal. Use other diary forms like cottage cheese or yoghurt as a replacement to milk.

6. Play and exercise more

It is a well-known fact that physical exertion builds the appetite. The more they play the hungrier they get.

7. Keep your child ‘cool’

Warmer temperatures tend to decrease the appetite of an individual. This is the reason we are able to eat more without any problems in winters, but in summers eating the same amount of food is unthinkable. Keep your dining area cool and airy, and you will notice the change in your child’s appetite.

8. Offer food rich in zinc

Thus increasing their zinc intake. As mentioned above, deficiency of zinc can be a reason for the loss of appetite. Cashew nuts, wheat bran, and pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc. Ask your doctor for zinc supplements.

9. Offer favourite food

Children can be moody when it comes to food. They will not eat something that they don’t like regardless of the benefits it may offer. So, in order to build a healthy appetite, keep making them their favourite food items. This will keep them attracted to the idea of eating.