How do you get your child to chew, swallow and have a healthy appetite?

Question

My son is three but looks like a 1yr old and is seriously under weight,im desperate to help my little boy.

Answer 1

Does your child have any oral motor problems? It could be that he has trouble with chewing, swallowing and/or opening his mouth. Your dr. can recommend a specialist that your son can go see to get help. Also try using Ensure to help him get the nutrients that he needs - most chlidren like the taste of the drink and don't have any problems with it. I would definitely call your dr. and make an appointment for him to recommend someone your child can go to - he probably needs to see a specialist.

Answer 2

Many kids go through that. My daughter did. She is really skinny. They watch what you do. So make a point to look at them and chew your food really good and tell them to chew theirs good. You can even make goofy faces while you do it to draw their attention. You cant teach a child to have an appetite, that come from within their own body. You have to be careful to show a good example continually. Offer him healthy snacks and sit down with him..make it family time. You dont want to counter react the situation and turn him in to a continual eater either. Kids will eat when they are hungry. I know some in my family looked just about anorexic but years later...they are actually obese. Find things he likes, experiment with new foods. Make eating fun. LIke you can make peanut butter sandwiches and cut them into triangles. Then put stick pretzels out the top and raisans for eyes..make your own reindeer. You can create anything with food. Get creative. You'll not only interest him a bit more in food, but you will be spending quality time with him while doing it.

Answer 3

my sister is 6 and looks like a 4 year old