Usual complaint from a new mother.
By DoctorDidi
@DoctorDidi (7018)
India
August 28, 2011 12:56am CST
As a homeopath, I often have to face a complaint, especially from the new mother of a baby which is always as follows: ‘My child is too thin and is picky about its food and I feel it does not eat enough. What can I do now? Would you suggest some tonic or any appetite stimulant? Have you any remedy in your homeopathy?’ My suggestion to such a mother is that normally a child weighs a triple its birth weight at the end of the first year and adds 2 kg the next year. So the baby may be in the normal range. It is better to try to discover the cause, if there is any and then to treat it rather than to use any tonic. Appetite stimulants can have severe side effects, some of them contain large amounts of iodine, steroids or even cyproheptadine which is a banned chemical. You may reduce the milk intake and also make the baby dewormed and remember that some children are just difficult when it comes to food. So there is nothing to worry.
5 responses
@celticeagle (158694)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Aug 11
It is not a good idea to get a child started on appetite stimulants. If a child gets in a dangerous realm of not eating there are things that can be done. THis appetite stimulant sounds very dangerous. How is a mother able to get such a thing. DOn't they have to go through a doctor? Wouldn't any reputible doctor give sound advice to such a mother and have other options for her?
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
31 Aug 11
At no cost, these appetite stimulants should be prescribed for the children. Once upon a time,these types of appetite stimulants were randomly prescribed by doctors for such children. But due to so much side effects which may be immediate or long term ones, these are now usually avoided and some of them are even banned in most of the countries. But yet a section of doctors are fond of using these for getting instant results but considering the fate of the children, this practice should be stopped by the doctors themselves or be compelled to stop by the parents who are now well aware of all the side effects of such medicines.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158694)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Sep 11
I do not think appetite stimulants for children is good. I would find some other way.
@LillianPearl (101)
• United States
31 Aug 11
My Stepson has ADHD and had problems gaining weight due to the appetite reducing effects of his medication.
His psychiatrist told us to increase protein (@2g per lb of body weight; also BRAIN food!) and caloric concentration per bite of food.
One had told us to feed him loads of fried foods, milkshakes, cheeseburgers,etc.
I am not opposed to increasing his caloric intake, but I'm also going to make sure as hell that it is nutritious, too. So, we switched him to full fat dairy products, give him hardboiled eggs. Send Boost Plus shakes with him to drink with his school lunch. Mix shakes for him in the morning (half & half, whole milk, Carnation Instant Breakfast Powder & EAS Whey protein powder), etc. He gets three to five servings of fruit & veggies, lean protein, etc.
When he was five we had trouble getting him to break the fifty pound mark. Now, at ten, he's 76# and 4'8" tall!
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
28 Aug 11
I think parents, especially first-time parents, are so worried about every little detail about their infant that they sometimes become too focused on what 'might' go wrong instead of relaxing and enjoying the baby. Unless the baby is losing weight, it is likely getting enough to eat. A baby will eat when it is hungry! I agree that stimulants are certainly very bad for babies.
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
31 Aug 11
I agree with your observation, you are 100% correct. The first-time parents are so much worried and enthusiastic about their children that their activities often do harm rather than doing anything good for their children. So these types of parents need to change themselves for the sake of their children.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
29 Aug 11
I have never heard this complaint before! That is so weird! In my family when two nephews tripled their weight in 3 months my parents though my sister-in-law was over feeding them! It was no big deal! Gary and Dan's weight evened out by the time they were a year old! It seems there will be someone to complain all the time on the baby's weight! it seems no one is satisfied!
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
29 Aug 11
My son has never really been fat and this does not worry me. He's very energetic, he doesn't have any worms, he never lags behind in his studies.
A fat kid doesn't mean that kid is healthy. As ling as the kid doesn't have any illness, no laziness symptoms, no worms, then I think there's nothing to worry about!
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
31 Aug 11
The ideal attitude of parents should be to watch whether or not the children are energetic and playful. If the children are energetic and playful, you need not worry at all. But if it is not the picture with the children, it is always wise to consult with a doctor without any delay.
