Why do children eat less after a year?
In the first year of life, the child triples his weight, and his appetite is naturally high. Then growth slows down: in the second year the increase is only a couple of kilograms. The need for food decreases, and along with it, interest in food. At the same time, the child discovers the world, it becomes more interesting for him to play than to sit at the table. Natural caution towards new products also appears - this is an age-related feature that goes away by school age if there is no pressure on the child.
- Slowdown in growth after a year
- Uneven appetite: sometimes too much, sometimes too little
- Wariness to new foods in 2–5 years
- More interested in playing than eating
- Periods of increased appetite before growth spurt
Common causes not related to illness
Most often, the appetite is “eaten up” by snacks: cookies, juice, sweet tea, milk between meals. The child comes to the table well-fed, but does not receive any nutritional value. The second reason is pressure: persuasion, cartoons, playing “for mom, for dad” turn food into a struggle and reinforce refusal. Teething, heat, fatigue, recent illness and the period of adaptation to kindergarten also have an impact. All these situations are temporary.
- Frequent snacking and sugary drinks
- Milk and juice in large quantities
- Feeding with persuasion, force, with gadgets
- Teething and hot weather
- Recovery after infection
- Stress, adaptation to the garden, moving
When illness is behind refusal to eat
Additional symptoms help to suspect a medical cause. Iron deficiency causes lethargy, pallor and loss of appetite even before hemoglobin levels drop. Pain in the mouth due to stomatitis, a stuffy nose, and a sore throat make it physically difficult to eat. Chronic diseases of the digestive system, celiac disease, parasitosis, kidney and heart diseases, as well as infections often begin with a decrease in appetite. It is important that during illness, the general condition also suffers, and not just appetite.
- Iron deficiency and anemia
- Stomatitis, sore throat, nasal congestion
- Constipation and functional digestive disorders
- Celiac disease, food allergies
- Helminthiases and giardiasis
- Chronic infections and diseases of internal organs
What examinations are needed
You should start not with tests, but with measurements: the doctor plots weight and height on centile graphs and looks at the dynamics. If the child is growing normally, examination is often not required at all. In case of deviations, a general blood test, iron metabolism indicators, coprogram and tests for parasites, as well as an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity are prescribed. According to indications, thyroid function, celiac disease and urine tests are checked. Additionally, the doctor analyzes the food diary for several days.
- Measurement of weight and height, assessment using centile tables
- General blood test
- Serum ferritin and iron
- Coprogram, stool analysis for parasites
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs
- Tests for celiac disease and thyroid function as indicated
What should parents do?
The division of responsibility works: the adult decides what, when and where the child eats, and the child decides how much to eat and whether to eat at all. Offer food 4-5 times a day according to the schedule, give only water between meals. Make portions small and add more upon request. Put away the cartoons and phone, eat together at the table. A new dish may require a dozen calm suggestions before the child tries it. Never force feed, do not promise sweets for the soup you eat, and do not make a scandal out of food. Appetizing stimulants and supplements are not needed without a doctor's prescription.
- Regime: 3 main meals and 2 snacks
- Between meals - only water
- Small portions, extra on request
- Without screens and persuasion at the table
- Eating together, example of adults
- No force feeding or bribery with sweets