Question
Dear doctor, I have a 5-year-old child who has never drunk formula or milk since he was a baby. What could be the reason for this situation?
Answer
Gradually introducing foods is crucial for a child to get accustomed to formula and milk. You can start by letting the child try vegetable soup, juice, and other flavors to spark his interest. You can dilute adult soup 2-3 times and cool it to body temperature, then feed it to him before breastfeeding. Juice can be given directly to the child or mixed with formula before drinking. At the same time, gradually increase the variety and quantity of baby complementary foods. When introducing new complementary foods, do so gradually, starting with small amounts and gradually increasing them. Avoid being too impatient to prevent failure. For example, you can try adding egg yolk when the child is 4 months old. Initially, start with 1/4 of an egg yolk, and after one week, observe if the child’s appetite and digestion are normal before gradually increasing to half an egg yolk, and then eventually to a whole egg yolk.