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When Kids don’t Eat

imageIs It a Behavioral Issue or an Appetite Problem ?

I had seen plenty of poor eaters in my practice, but this one had left me with no doubts that he was the worst amongst all. . With a history of bird’s appetite, this time he was breaking all records. It was nearly three days since he had taken a morsel. It looked as if he had taken recourse to some kind of Satyagraha. Any attempt to feed him forcefully would end up in a vomit. The young parents were nearly on the verge of a breakdown, when on the fourth day he ended his fast.

 

When kids don’t eat, why is it that they don’t eat? What makes them a poor eater?

The Eating disorders are complex disorders. It could be a simple behavioral disagreement to food or as some Research shows that its origins can have more than one reason – Biopsychosocial. A neurobiological brain disorder with a strong heritability component is also under investigation. Some individuals with eating disorders have an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain that control hunger, appetite, and digestion. The exact meaning and implications of these imbalances remains under investigation. Behavioral disagreement occurs if the child is force-fed or over -fed.

When kids don’t eat, it can be very distressing for their parents, but is this disorder treatable?

Yes, but first it is important to understand the relationship between the child?s total family environment and his eating disorder. The individuality of each child is an important factor in assessing the most suitable approach for dealing with food refusal. It would simply be illustrated by a case that I treated without any medication. A child of two had developed a very obstinate food refusal. It was assessed that the disorder had no biological angle, but was a case of behavioral disagreement. The mother was feeding the child at an inappropriate time, seven thirty in the morning, as she had to leave for her job by eight, which had resulted in an overall refusal to food. A simple adjustment in the feeding time gave the desired results.

In another case a little one had developed disgust for food after her mother used harsh punishment for not finishing meals in time. Such a situations can become a psychological deterrent and the child may sub consciously develop a contempt for food.

Homoeopathic medicines are very helpful in treating eating disorders.. Antimonium Crudum, Lycopodium, Nux Vomica are a few of the important homoeopathic medicines. Antimonium crudum is very helpful for infants who vomit milk immediately after breast-feed. Some peculiar mind symptoms easily identify the child who requires this medicine along with a very weak appetite he is Cross and contradictive; whatever is done fails to give satisfaction. The little one is Sulky; does not wish to speak. Child cannot bear to be touched or looked and gets angry at every little attention.

Lycopodium has a very strange indication. Although the child may be very hungry, eating ever so little satiates him easily. Nux vomica is often an abused appetite stimulant. Nux should only be used only when it is indicated. It should not be used as an appetite panacea. Homoeopathic medicines should only be used with the advice of an expert homoeopath.

Eating disorder can result out of general ill health as in chronic disorders like asthma and recurrent coughs and colds, also at times a result of over or an improper medication. Such children need to be treated with a constitutional and holistic approach where the root cause is identified and remedied.

The child being referred as ?he? in the above feature is just a grammatical connotation. It does not favour any sex.

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Comments

  1. Anup Kumar Chakrabarti says:

    My daughter is ten months baby. She is refusing external food but taking breast milk only. Her wt. Remains same for last one month.she vomited three days back at late night following egg yolk consumption at that dinner.Can you please suggest some medicine.

  2. My baby is 3 And half years old and weight is 12 kg she doesn’t like to eat any food any sweet even milk.Iam give all type of digestive syrup,appitate increase syrup,and iron, vitamin mineral although she not eat any food and gaining food.I try to every type of food she doesn’t eny type food I don’t know what I am do.plz say mam what I do.

    • RANBIR KUMAR LAL says:

      My boy is eight months old, and he is poor eater. Refusing to eat external food and breast milk.
      What I have to do?
      Is there any homeopathy medicine available ?

      • RANBIR KUMAR LAL says:

        My boy is eight months old, and he is poor eater. Refusing to eat external food and breast milk.
        What I have to do?
        Is there any homeopathy medicine available ?

  3. Bijay Kumar Choudhary says:

    My 18 months granddaughter has problems of gas, does not willingly eat, often tendency of vomiting etc. Do not have breastfeed, doesn’t seem any dental problem – regularly taking ‘Denton’. Kindly advise appreciate homeopathy medicine.

  4. prachi sharma says:

    hello docter .my son is 5.7 years old.he does not eat all.his weight is 14 and he looks like a 3 years old child.he says he doesnt like eating anything.please suggest me.

  5. MANAVA PADIYAR says:

    Hello..
    My son is 2 and half years old, He is not eating any of the foods, not even fruits. He is taking milk or any food in very small quantity..Now him weight is approximately 12 kg. What should i do to increase his hunger??
    Every time i am forcing him and taking food, but this is not good way to eat food.
    I m really stressed how to feed him. I m really stressed how to feed him ?

  6. Poona jail goel says:

    My son 2year old. He suffered from high fever viral and after that he is not having any food. He is taking only milk in very small quantity at every 1.5hour. What should i do to increase his hunger??

  7. Ashwini Vijay Gunjekar says:

    My son is 9 year’s old. He do not eat vegetables. History of GERD since at birth. Please suggest me right homeopathy medicine and does for him.

  8. Haritha says:

    My child,3years old., hesitate to have food in any form.she is a premature baby,and she has delayed speech and is inattentive.what shall I do….

    • Hello Dr Sharma,

      I have a 30 month toddler boy and he started to eat baby food late, as he was always sick in first year. He refuses to eat himself or eat any solid food. All food has to be blended to smooth consistency. He eats home food or baby food bought from supermarket. He does not like food outside around his mouth and asks for me to clean it, while feeding him. He also won’t eat his food until he is distracted by playing with his iPad or some toys. He drinks fresh full cows milk in bottle sometimes early morning while still asleep, around 6am. I have seen a speech and language therapist and have been told to cut down his milk and give only a little in a beaker. I tried that and he won’t drink the milk in the beaker and so have to give it in a bottle. He has licked some fruit once and then second time would refuse it. He won’t even hold any finger food. 🙁

      He will be reviewed again in a 8weeks times. He has been referred for a speech and language check progress, as they feel he isnt taking much and using more words in a sentence. He uses more single words and sometimes 3 words but not in order that would make sense. I am really struggling and stressed with what will happen to him when he starts school, as he can’t continue to eat blended food puréed forever and be fed by me. I just want him to eat solid food and eat himself.
      By the way I am in the uk.

      Regards

      Saima

  9. Jennifer Lobo says:

    Hiiii
    My son is 2 years old.he is not eating anything.he want only milk.wat can I do?? Please suggest me something wat can I give him??

    • prachi sharma says:

      hello docter .my son is 5.7 years old.he does not eat all.his weight is 14 and he looks like a 3 years old child.he says he doesnt like eating anything.please suggest me.

  10. Hello..
    My baby girl is 14 months old,she is not eating any of the foods,not even fruits.She even don’t drink cow milk too..Now her weight is approximately 8 kgs..Please suggest what is the remedy for this.

  11. Om Parkash Kalra says:

    Dr Sharma
    My daughter appetite is very poor, when she was just 6 months, she was suffered with dengue fever, now she is 7+ but everyone we call her for meal her expression and body language looks like she is not ready to take meal. Everyone we try forcibly to take meal. Please guide me and if any medication needed.
    Thanks

  12. Dr Sharma
    My son is 3 years old, he refuses almost every kind of food he stop drinking his milk, I try everything for he can eat just going to disappointment. I’m been worried he go bed empty stomach the next day same problem occurs. Please help me I don’t know what to do….

  13. Amjad Jawaid Khan says:

    Good day sir,

    A male child 1.5 years suddendly rejects all types of foods & milk with no apprent reasons.

    Nothing can be done to make him eat or drink. But he takes some shop packed material not good for him.

    Best regards
    Amjad Jawaid Khan
    Sialkot-Pakistan

  14. Rahul More says:

    my child of 2 years only eat liquid food like rice grinding in mixi and can not swallow solid food

  15. Sonia Wadhwa says:

    I have a 12 year old boy who has not hit puberty yet. He has always been a picky eater but at this point he is not eating enough. Even when he is hungry he eats a small portion. I am concerned about his growth. He is on the bottom 4 the percentile for weight for his age and is not that tall also. I would not be concerned if he was eating properly. He may eat just 1/2 a toast and be full and not ask anything in between meals. Doctor has recommended to see a feeding specialist but wanted to try homeopathic. What would you recommend for him?

  16. Supriya says:

    My baby girl is 9 months old. She used to eat properly.but since 15 days, her foods are floating in her mouth.she does not swallow.please help me.

  17. Ritika bharti says:

    My baby is 14 months old. He refuses to eat anything whatever given. Even if we play with him ,give him toys or make him busy but nothing works. I m really stressed how to feed him . Whole day he doesn’t eat anything and only demands breastfeeding. How to boost his appetite.

  18. Salik Khanal says:

    Hi Dr. sharma,
    I have a 16month baby girl. We are facing problem of not eating well with out baby. She rejects every food including milk. Some times (repeated in around 1 month) she does not even eat 200 ml of milk in 24 hours but she looks fit and fine. When we go to doctor, they test her urine and say she is fine we can not do nothing.
    Can you give us any solution of this?

  19. pradip Mandal says:

    Dear sir
    My child baby is 20 days old she didn’t eat or take her mother’s milk only day time.?
    And didn’t see day time.?
    But in Night time very nice eat or taking her mother’s
    Milk.
    So pls.
    Advice me
    Your faithfully
    Pradip

  20. Pooja Dipanker says:

    Hi
    My son has ASD (5 year old) and still is non-verbal. He has severe eating disorder. He rarely eats any solid food and whenever eats, prefers a few crunchy foods only. Like, crunchy Dosa, muruku, chips, khakra etc. It’s been more than 2 years, he has eaten rice, chapati, dal, subji or any regular food. He mostly survives on protein based almond & cashew milk.
    He checks the texture of food and discard it if it’s not crunchy.
    I am in constant stress due to this unpredictable feeding demands. Request you to provide help and guidance.

    – Pooja (mom)

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