Question
Hello, my child is now over eleven months old and relies mostly on breastfeeding with little else. We have been supplementing with calcium and zinc. Will this have any effects? Are there any ways to encourage the child to eat more?
Answer
Children can and should eat. If a child doesn’t want to eat, it might be due to the consumption of snacks, milk drinks, or sugary carbonated beverages, which can make the child feel bloated and reduce their appetite. Additionally, a lack of appetite in children may also be caused by illness or physical discomfort. It’s not possible to determine these issues at home, so it’s recommended that you take your child to a pediatrician at a children’s hospital or traditional Chinese medicine hospital to rule out issues such as spleen and stomach weakness. Once the physical problems are resolved, the child will regain their appetite.