How to Handle a Child Who Refuses to Eat Milk Properly?

Update Date: 2024-06-25 Source: Network

When a child does not eat well, it is necessary to address the issue based on the cause. If the problem is due to a zinc deficiency, zinc supplementation should be provided. If the issue is caused by gastrointestinal discomfort, abdominal massage or medication may be used to alleviate the discomfort. If the child is not eating due to being scared, pinching the spine along the back before bedtime may help to ease their fears.

When a baby lacks zinc, it can lead to disinterest in breastfeeding. In such cases, zinc supplementation can be provided to the child, and gradually they will become more willing to eat. Zinc supplementation involves replenishing the body's essential trace element of zinc, which plays a crucial role in growth and development, immune function, and vitamin utilization. Zinc is present in numerous enzyme systems such as carbonic anhydrase, respiratory enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, and superoxide dismutase, and it is essential for the synthesis of nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates, as well as for the utilization of vitamin A. Zinc promotes growth and development and improves taste perception.

When it is difficult to ensure adequate nutrition through regular food, the World Health Organization recommends the use of zinc salts for supplementation. Dietary habits contribute to zinc deficiency in 60% of children. Nutrition experts have analyzed the dietary habits in China and found significant issues with dietary biases. The staple foods are mainly rice or wheat-based, and vegetables are often cooked at high temperatures. These cooking methods can lead to the loss of zinc, a trace element that is closely related to resistance, as zinc is not resistant to high temperatures.

If a child is not eating due to indigestion or abdominal discomfort caused by cold exposure, it is important to keep the abdomen warm and consider administering medication to aid in digestion. Parents can also gently massage the child's abdomen in a clockwise direction, centered on the navel, to promote gastrointestinal motility. If a child stops eating due to being scared, pinching the spine along the back before bedtime can be used as a treatment to address the fright, and once the child feels better, they will resume eating.