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For a parent, the size of their baby can sometimes be a source of anxiety. Is he eating enough? Is it already too big? One thing is certain, an infant knows how to regulate his appetite and eat his fill, over a meal as over a whole day. As for his body size, it will change over time and when he begins to move alone.
Baby’s appetite before food diversification
Breastfeeding, stay zen!
If you breastfeed you will be worried that you do not know how much your baby is absorbing. The only clues: its weight, its behavior and your feelings. So why notbreast-feed on demand and without limits ? Do not worry for the first few days if baby sucks little and sleeps a lot or always seems hungry even when breastfeeding non-stop! Its nutritional needs are perfectly covered by colostrum, this very rich liquid secreted before the flow of milk.
Afterwards, don’t be afraid to run out of milk: there is always a solution to insufficient lactation, often the result of poor breastfeeding behavior or a sucking problem. Seek advice from a specialist.
With the bottle, we do the accounts
Super concentrated on the recommended quantities of infant milk, you are confused when baby barely halfway through his bottle, and asks for a supplement at the next meal. Warning: the numbers you read everywhere are just averages. If the quantity of milk is defined according to the weight and age of the child, not all have the same needs. We have seen that children of the same age and the same weight could have energy needs varying from single to double!
Since baby follows his instinct, it’s up to you to respect his appetite, no matter if it is irregular. If his growth chart is good and he seems satisfied after his bottles, he is eating enough. Single weight loss over several days might justify real concern.
In video: 8 Funny Recipes for children
Small appetite: when to start worrying when your baby is eating little?
A bottle rarely finished, a quickly satiated baby who grows little, and here we are worried about his growth … If your child does not have a big appetite, make sure that he always eats his hunger, and from the food diversification, vary your diet. Every day, dairy products, proteins (meat, fish or eggs) and fruits and vegetables.
How do I feed my child?
To stimulate his appetite, serve small portions: an overly full plate is a little overwhelming. If he wants more, he will ask. At last, brighten up his plate ! Colorful pasta, a man drawn in mash, etc. Another tip: make him participate in the cooking (mix the dough, wash the salad, smell the spices), he will take all the more pleasure in tasting what he has prepared.
Why does my baby eat little?
Today, your child refuses to eat… What if it was thrush? This small, white, contagious fungus sometimes appears in the first few weeks, on the inside of the cheeks, gums and sometimes the tongue. This can be healed quickly but can interfere with breastfeeding. To monitor !
Good fat eater: what to do if baby is always hungry?
If your kid has a real ogre appetite, don’t worry. The feeling of hunger in children is most often in line with their needs. A child who eats with a good appetite is a real pleasure!
Except that at the sight of the bulges on his thighs, some parents are already seeing the specter of obesity. However, a baby can appear a little round at one point without becoming obese afterwards. Be confident: the feeling of hunger in children is most often in line with their real needs. No reason to panic as long as her growth chart remains reasonable and her diet is balanced.
How to give a balanced diet to a greedy child?
If the doctor advises you to watch her diet, stick to the nutritional recommendations for her age. And limit your consumption of cakes, cookies, dairy desserts (custards, creams, etc.) and fruit juice. Is he still hungry after the meal? Review the composition of its small dishes (does it have enough starchy foods in particular?). But no diet or drastic restrictions. And if needed, consult a specialist to help you balance your diet.