Question
The 14-month-old girl weighs 7 pounds at birth and currently weighs 16 pounds. She eats and drinks adequately and is in good spirits. She has been able to walk independently since she was 1 year old. There is a medical record indicating that the baby has a nutritional deficiency. How can this condition be improved? Will this situation affect the baby’s development?
Answer
In most cases, the cause of a baby’s nutritional deficiency is the delayed introduction of complementary foods. It is recommended to gradually introduce complementary foods such as rice porridge, juice, and then gradually increase to congee, noodles, eggs, and meat at around 4 months old. If complementary foods are introduced too late, the baby may miss the opportunity to establish good eating habits during the stage when they are most interested in eating, leading to picky eating or imbalanced nutrition after one year old. It is suggested to gradually adjust the baby’s eating habits, reduce milk intake, and introduce more varied foods. Additionally, consider taking the baby to a hospital for a test of trace elements. If specific nutrients are found to be lacking (such as iron or zinc), appropriate supplementation should be done under a doctor’s guidance.