Question

A 1-year-old son of a parent has been refusing to eat for two consecutive days and has not pooped, possibly due to indigestion (eating three meals in a row). They have already used Qijin Dan and lubricating enema, but the child still seems uncomfortable and did not want to eat this morning. What other solutions are there?

Answer

Firstly, it is necessary to identify the reason why the child is refusing to eat. If it is due to gastrointestinal or systemic diseases or drug reactions, medical attention should be sought immediately. Additionally, symptomatic Chinese medicine treatments can be chosen for the symptoms of refusal to eat, such as:

  • If there is indigestion and food accumulation, concentrated Baohe Pill can be taken.
  • If there is weakness of the spleen and stomach, decreased appetite, abdominal bloating, Xiangsha Liujun Pill can be taken.
  • If there is damage to the spleen and stomach due to irregular diet, decreased appetite, abdominal bloating or stomachache, Xiangsha Yangwei Pill can be taken.
  • If there is internal retention due to irregular diet, abdominal bloating after meals, and diarrhea, Jianpi Pill can be taken. In addition to medication treatment, attention should also be paid to methods that will make the child willing to eat:
  1. Create a quiet eating environment for the child so that they can eat comfortably and happily, as the digestive system is affected by emotions and tension can lead to decreased appetite. Therefore, when the child is eating, adults should remain calm and avoid loud talking or teasing the child.
  2. In addition to considering various nutrients for the child’s food, it should be rich in variety and easy to digest. Try to make the food colorful, fragrant, and tasty so that the child will have an appetite when they see and smell it.