Amana: Hi, My 4 year old daughter doesn't seem to be eating well. She is a thumb sucker. I wonder whether she gets hungry. Dring meal times she takes very little. When I say little its like 2 to 3 spoons. She takes in milk. I am worried cause she's very thin as well
Hi Amana. I wonder if she is drinking a lot of milk and juices! Many kids fill themselves with fluids (like milk, juices) during or in between meal times. This will make them feel less hungry during meals. And they may therefore eat very little. The way to help kids in these situations is to reduce the amount of milk and juices they are given. Some times parents worry that I am asking them to stop or reduce the only thing that the kid is "eating well". But if the excessive milk (and filling effect from it) is responsible for poor appetite then the only way to help is to reduce amount of milk offered and replace that with food. I am not particularly worried about "thin" kids if their weight is appropriate for age. For a 4 yr old I expect 16kg and if she is thin but of good weight it is still fine! Thin and good weight is better than plump and higher weight!
