How can i enhance food appetite for my 16 monthes old baby specially for meat &chicken?

Question

my baby is 16 monthes old and he's a hyper active baby, although we're facing a problem when it comes to feed him,he hates to eat and his appetite to food specialy chicken and meat is very bad...please help me what can i do...and please i need to know what kind of food,how much and many times should he eat?

Answer 1

If you son is not getting any sources of protein at all, then ask your doctor about a vitamin.  However, there is no reason to a) limit your baby's food intake in general (though too much juice or water isn't good for toddlers), or to b) worry too much about his diet yet.  At this age, kids often eat less than they did before they turned 1.  Lots of sources recommend grazing, or at least offering multiple snacks.  Toddlers often prefer to eat throughout the day rather than having larger meals.  Also, you have to think about their diet in terms of a week - that is, whether they have a balanced diet on a single day isn't the question, it's whether it averages out over several days.  

Answer 2

Often at this age it appears as if your toddler is living on fresh air. A child of this age will not starve themselves and will eat when hungry. I always found it handy to keep a supply of nutritious snacks on hand for constant grazing. A lot of toddlers do not like meat. This is something that they grow into over time.

Answer 3

I totally agree with the above poster - appetities in babies this age begin to decrease.  

My pediatrician recommended the following eating pattern so that DD (7 months) eats what is given to her (I nurse and the pediatrician thought I was nursing too often).  She also said that I should be giving her solids first, then nursing/bottle.  I know this isn't what I've read about doing on the internet, but it seems to have worked.

Big breakfast upon waking (I nurse first, plus I give her a small serving of yogurt afterwards).  

Nothing but water until 11 am, lunch time.  This is her meal with meat (about 10 grams - not much), plus nursing/bottle afterwards like the pediatrician recommended.  

Nothing else until 4 pm, snack time.  Snack consists of small serving of yogurt with some fruit pureed, bottle or nurse.  

Nothing else but water until dinner time at 7 pm.  Dinner is veggies.  So she only has meat once a day at this point.

Ask your pediatrician, she or he will know best for your baby if you have concerns or questions.  

Answer 4

I agree, let him eat what he wants when he wants.  Grazing every couple hours on nutritious snacks is great for an active toddler!  :)

Try offering small bowls of cheese, whole grain cereals, raw or dried fruits, veggies and dip, even nuts if he eats those already.  Infants and toddlers allowed to feed themselves rarely overeat; they know what they need!

Scheduling is often rough on young children; they aren't developed enough to go hours and hours between meals since their stomachs are tiny and their activity level is high.  

**And to the poster with the 7 month old, be VERY careful!!  Your daughter is in danger of being malnourished!!   Doctors do NOT study pediatric nutrition in medical school, and shouldn't be listened to on the subject!  Nursing should be the primary source of food until a year or so.  All solids eaten before then are for practice.  I highly urge you to nurse on demand and before offering solids.  

Answer 5

Active toddlers often seem to eat very little. Offer your son healthy meals 3 times a day, with a morning and afternoon snack as well.

It is your job to offer the healthy food and his job to decide how much to eat.

It may be tempting to offer unhealthy foods so that 'at least he is eating something', but if you do this, he'll never eat the healthy food. It takes young children up to 16 tries before they get used to a new food, so don't give up.

Also look at what your son is drinking. If he is drinking juice or too much milk, this will be filling him up so he has no room for solid food. Children don't need to drink any juice as it provides empty calories and rots teeth. A 16 month old shouldn't have more than 600ml of milk a day. Offer water as an additional drink.