Question
This case involves a 1-year-old boy who has primarily consumed milk powder and rice porridge since birth. At eight months old, he started to have complementary foods added to his diet. However, since he was 11 months old, he has only been willing to eat vegetables and not the staple foods, and this situation has continued to this day. What methods can help improve the child’s eating habits?
Answer
Parents are advised to change the appearance and texture of food to increase the child’s appetite, such as shaping ingredients into different shapes or colors, and starting with semi-liquid pureed foods, gradually introducing a variety of foods including egg yolks, rice porridge, fruit purees, minced meat, juices, and soft rice. Additionally, parents should also pay attention to the child’s eating environment and mood, creating a pleasant dining atmosphere that can help boost the child’s appetite.