Do you find that in order to get your baby (or your young kid) to eat you have to tie him up first, that sometimes you have to threaten him,
or even "bribe" him with some candy? Well you are not alone as this is a common problem amongst parents with kids below the age of three.

Loss of kid's appetite can get you all worried if you do not know how to handle it.

It exposes your kids to all sorts if immune system disorders ranging from common colds and flu to diarrhea and even vomiting in extreme cases. It can also result in malnourishment, weight loss, lack of activity and even learning disabilities.

Common Causes

Cause of appetite loss can be many and varies. It is important for parents to identify as many causes as possible in order to prevent them
happening in future. Some common causes of appetite loss are:

1. Throat infections.

This is particularly common amongst kids who are fed through a feeding bottle that has not been sterilized. It's difficult to have total control of this feeding method. The bottle may Sometimes fall to the ground, or its nozzle may be held with dirty fingers and so on. You can't be too careful when using a feeding bottle. Throat infections may cause pain when swallowing food.
This may result in the kid not wanting to eat the food. Throat infections may also result in coughing and vomiting and even diarrhea in severe cases.

2. Bad feeding habits are also a common cause of appetite loss in kids. If your kids eat lots of candy and stuff like that just before a main meal, it might interfere with their appetite. Remember that candy has a stronger taste than the food you give. Kids will naturally prefer candy to your food.

3. Irregular mealtimes can also result in appetite loss, especially if the kids are fed at very regular intervals. They have barely digested what they have just eaten, when they are being offered something else to eat.

Possible solutions

As we mentioned earlier it is important to identify the causes of appetite loss in your kids. If you know what causes them, then you can concentrate your efforts in looking for solutions. Here are some tips that you can use.

· Throat Infections: If you have noticed the child coughs even mildly for say a week and that his appetite is going down, check for a possible throat infection. Look at the tongue and see if it has a white coating. (The tongue should normally be pink in color). If the tongue has a white coating, the kid most likely has an infection. See your doctor. Avoid using a feeding bottle. Instead use a bowl and a spoon if you are serving solid food, or use a cup and a spoon if you are serving liquids. If you must use a feeding bottle, sterilize it first before feeding the baby.

· Discourage your kids from eating stuff like candy before meals. Candy is bad for their teeth, and has little or no nutritional value. I wouldn't recommend it at any time.

· Have a regular schedule for meals. You may try to give them something to eat say at breakfast time, have a midmorning snack, lunch, a mid afternoon snack and an early dinner. This gives the kids enough energy to get by; it gives them plenty of time to digest what they have eaten and to get hungry again. Kids eat better when they are hungry.

· Encourage the kids to eat by themselves from an early age, say one year and above. Avoid spoon-feeding them too much. This way you will tell whether they have a good appetite or not.

· Take your kids for a regular medical checkup. Follow your doctor's guideline to the letter.

· Supplement your kids' diet with the appropriate
nutritional supplements. This way your kids will not only get all the required nutrients, but will have their immune system fortified.

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Credits: George Ochieng