Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Ayşe Yiğit Keskin stated that anorexia children should be evaluated with a holistic approach and this process can start with mistakes when starting solid food. In this period, when the foundations of healthy growth are laid, the baby should be fed only with breast milk unless there is a health problem in the mother. From the 6th month onwards, it should be tried for 3-day periods to see if an allergic reaction is observed gradually without forcing and start additional foods. In accordance with the month of our baby; We should give healthy vegetable soups, daily yoghurts, fruit purees prepared at home. From the 6th to the 9th month, we recommend that they be fed with 70% breast milk and 30% supplementary food, and from 9 months to 1 year old, 50% breast milk and 50% supplementary food. Babies should not be forced to supplementary food; they should be allowed to consume the amounts they want, so that a smooth transition should be made while getting used to complementary foods.
I advise mothers to pay attention to the following when starting complementary foods: br /> * The baby should not be forced to eat the foods he cannot take, he should try again after a few days. It should be increased within 3-4 days.
* If allergic symptoms occur, the food should be discontinued, and a small amount should be started and tried again after 15-20 days. The amount of food to be taken at meals should be left to the baby, it should not be insisted on, the baby should determine the speed of eating, and should not be rushed * Food to be given to the baby should be prepared using natural, fresh products, canned, frozen foods, ready-made foods containing additives should not be given * Salt should not be given until the age of 1, sugar should not be added as much as possible
* vegetables and fruits such as pineapple, strawberry, eggplant; prepared food products; canned food products; processed meat products such as sausage, sausage, salami; beverages such as cola, tea, soda, ready-made fruit juice; Foods such as frying, cow's milk, honey, snacks, spices should not be given until the age of 1 year.
Show that the baby is ready for additional food. Renal Symptoms: In order for the baby to start solid food, the neuromuscular, digestive and excretory systems must mature. If our baby -If our baby can hold his head upright -If he has started to sit with or without support against the risk of aspiration -If hand-eye coordination has developed -If the parent shows interest in food at the table, reaches for food or fork spoon, -When we extend the spoon, he opens his mouth and makes mouth movements by observing those who eat, when solid food is given If he moves his tongue and chews instead of trying to suck, it means he is ready to switch to solid food. Lack of Appetite in Children A child's lack of appetite and not wanting to eat is a situation that many mothers complain about. The first thing we should pay attention to in a child with anorexia is whether the lack of nutrition leads to retardation in growth and development. If there is a growth retardation; digestive system diseases such as gastritis reflux constipation, celiac, food allergies; liver, heart and kidney diseases; iron and vitamin deficiencies; endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism should be investigated. Among the psychological factors, restless family environment is also an important cause of anorexia in children. What Parents Can Do for An Appetite Child: *If the child refuses the food during the meal, do not be too insistent, two options should be offered at the meal, if he does not want to eat, wait until the next meal. The rejected food should be interrupted for a while, but it should be offered to the child at regular intervals. may not eat after the spoon. Children should not be compared, they should not be frightened or threatened to have food. * The child's meal times should be regular, he should sit at the table with his parents, and he should be allowed to eat by himself. Eating at a crowded table affects the child's appetite positively. *The child's plate can be decorated in a way that will attract your attention to increase the nutritional desire. * Meal times should be regular, foods and sweet snacks should be avoided between meals, family members should have a common attitude towards the child. *Television and tablet should not be used during meals. Feeding children in front of the screen may cause deterioration of nutrition control and loss of appetite; ate It can lead to obesity as it eats food uncontrollably. * Drinks such as fruit juice, milk, tea, cola should not be given before or during the meal. *Activity and exercise have positive effects on appetite. By playing games before meals, the child's hunger and distraction during the meal can be prevented. However, heavy activities can suppress the appetite. Evaluation of a child with anorexia: Many reasons may cause anorexia in children. For this, regular check-ups of children by the physician, following the growth lines (percentile curves), taking a good history, performing a complete physical examination and, if necessary, laboratory tests are necessary to evaluate whether there is an underlying cause. In most of the children, no organic cause can be detected. Here, it is very important to evaluate the history taken from the family and the list of foods that the child ate for 3-7 days. *Children who are considered to have no appetite by their families, but develop according to their age, and whose foods are suitable for their age and body structure; Basic nutrition rules should be explained to the family. * In introverted children who are uninterested in food, psychological factors should be taken into consideration, it should be questioned whether enough quality time is spent with the child, whether it is possible to make them feel that they are with them unconditionally in their self-care and when they need it, and whether a secure attachment can be provided, and if necessary, the family should be provided with support from a specialist. *Children who choose food; The appetite is good for the foods they like, but they refuse to eat the foods they don't like. This should be encouraged instead of forcing our children, they should be role models, and they should be given the opportunity to observe by eating with their peers. *Children who are unappetizing and active are not interested in eating and get full easily. For them, the meal should be finished quickly and they should be returned to the game again. The need for games should be met by playing games before the meal in these children and enjoyable meal rituals should be created at the table. *We must respect the food reluctance of our children whose appetite has decreased due to illness. We must overcome this process by cooperating with our physician.
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