Lack of Appetite in Children – How to Solve It?

This is a topic every parent knows well, since at some point in their life, every child goes through this and it leaves moms worried and pulling their hair out. Mealtime becomes a real nightmare, full of crying and shouting, doesn’t it? So come learn more about this phase and how to suffer less.

A decrease in appetite in children is common between the ages of 1 and 3, when they start becoming more selective and understanding their food preferences. During this phase, they will reject some foods they used to accept well because their palate is now more refined and they know what they enjoy eating¹. And with these sudden changes in diet, it’s natural for some weight loss to occur. Another reason that can cause a lack of appetite in children is feeling unwell, such as when they have a cold, flu, or a throat infection. Teething also causes discomfort and ends up affecting children’s appetite², but the good news is that everything returns to normal as soon as the discomfort passes.

Another factor that influences appetite, not only in children but in adults as well, is excessive heat, which causes that sluggish, unmotivated feeling and the urge to do nothing. In this case, it’s important to offer plenty of fluids for hydration and lighter foods, since children aren’t able to eat normally.

What Should I Do About My Child’s Lack of Appetite?

Usually, lack of appetite is related to irregular meal times. For example, between breakfast and lunch, the child might nibble on cookies and biscuits. Obviously, when it’s time for the meal, they won’t feel hungry. Therefore, avoid letting your child eat between meals.

Of course, if a child didn’t eat breakfast, they should be allowed to eat when they ask for something, taking advantage of their hunger and desire. Another essential point is do not yell or force your child to eat when they don’t want to. Skipping a meal won’t make a child sick. Don’t turn mealtime into a moment of conflict and stress for both of you, because this will only make your child nervous and lose their appetite even more.

Offer healthy foods that your child likes to eat, and also plenty of fluids throughout the day like water, milk, teas, and juices, to help prevent dehydration³.

If your child enjoys soups and broths, take the opportunity to prepare their favorite dishes and perhaps this will help get around the lack of appetite. Generally, this phase soon passes like all others and you should only worry if there’s a lot of weight loss, if your child seems weak, sleepy, pale, or has little energy to even play. In this case, a doctor should be consulted to check if there’s a vitamin deficiency such as iron or calcium, for example, which can be replaced with supplements. Of course, some tests may be requested by the pediatrician for an accurate diagnosis.

Home remedy tip for lack of appetite: blend half a carrot and half a beetroot in the blender with a glass of milk or a glass of orange juice, strain it, and offer it between meals. Sweeten if necessary, trying to use sugars like demerara or brown sugar. Even honey is okay. Carrot juice is an excellent natural remedy for lack of appetite in children.