Dr. Ashish Sahani

Evolve with your child 

To make your child a responsible person, you will have practise responsible parenting. Food habits are no exception to this rule!

Children learn by imitating the elders in the family. Just as they pick up right habits from parents, grandparents, and elder siblings and cousins, they pick up bad habits too. It is, therefore, vital that we practise responsible parenting, especially when it comes to the childhood food habits. Lessons learned or not learned at this stage of the life have lifelong implications.

Before you read any further, please understand that as an adult in the house or as a parent, you will have to work on your eating habits. After all your child will imitate you. It is crucial that you stop being a fussy eater before you can expect your child to imbibe good food habits. Stop discussing your food habits aloud at the mealtimes, and especially in front of your children. Be a great food-role-model that you can be for your child.

Don’t force food, forge love

Do not force feed your child. Please understand that it is okay for a child older than 24 months to skip meals. The child will make up for it later. As an elder in the family and as parents, you must refrain from using food as a reward or a punishment for the child. This will kick-start an unhealthy relationship with food in your child’s life.

Track sleeping habits

Poor sleeping habits may be the reason for your child’s lack of appetite. Watch your child’s sleeping habits to get to the cause of your child’s fussy eating. Try setting a healthy sleep pattern to improve the child’s appetite. A child between 2 to 3-years-old should be sleeping for about 12 hours a day, including the afternoon nap time. The number of hours of sound sleep reduces to about 8 to 9 hours a day as the child grows older.

Each child is unique, don’t compare

Always remember that your child is different and unique. Every child is different and unique, just as we all are, therefore, do not compare the number of rotis your child eats to that of another child. If your child does not like to eat a whole roti at a time, offer small finger foods that it can hold. Offer little bite-sized pieces of fruits, cheese, or parathas. Innovate for your child, and it will reward you with a clean plate and full tummy in no time.

Weigh down on weight

Yes, I know we the doctors are culprits here! In India, weight becomes a primary yardstick for a child’s health. An underweight child’s parents are often made to feel guilty, and the child is shamed. An overweight child is not a healthy child either, so please ignore all the aunts and grandmas focusing on your child’s weight. Instead, focus on other growth milestones and health markers such as activity, bowel movement, dullness, skin condition- dullness, dryness any white patches, condition of nails- whether brittle or with white patches, a child's height, frequency of falling sick etc.

Also, a sudden gain or loss in weight, recurrent infections, frequent fevers, dry or dull skin and constant irritability are a few signs that should alert you about your child’s nutrition and health overall. If you observe these symptoms in your child, consult the family physician or a paediatrician.

Respect child’s ‘privacy’

Just as you and I would not like to discuss our problems and shortcomings in public, do not discuss your child’s food issues with each and everyone; especially in front of the child. Instead, focus on encouraging your child to try new foods, and respond positively when the child does so. Always focus on the positives of the food habits of your child, and work to strengthen them. For example, if your child does not like spinach, but eats all other vegetables, focus on what the child likes than taunting it for not liking the spinach. We all have our likes and dislikes after all.

Being a parent, I know one thing: my child made me a parent. Moreover, as I am growing with my child, I am learning new things, not only about my child but myself. Food habits are one of them. Believe you me, evolving my food habits with my child; I am learning to be a better parent. It is making me a better person, and perhaps, a better doctor.