Dear Barmee, First try out with whatever food the kid loves to eat. I have always said in my previous answers, that kids who are in a peer group adapt themselves to all situations. U cud try putting your son in creche / day care / pre school where he will learn how other children get to eat. He will start feeling hungry and then start to eat for sure, when he is around with his peers. Please dont hit any child. Use shouting /laughing therapy for urself, to get rid of those emotions. I understand that its trying, but still dont hurt any child, ever. What you resist will persist. As for his intake of food, if its a cause for concern, your paediatrician should be able to help. There are quite good syrups available in the market which not only provides multi-viamins for a child's nourishment, but there are also some of the brands that provoke hunger. But first, before you jump into aid with these medicines, try to make him hungry and feed him the food. Not when you want him to have. Try this and if it works, let me know. Take care, Bye Kutty

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Hey Barmee.. Not many days ago I posted the same question and almost couple a other moms had the same doubt.. Well, as Kutty suggested, I had given him so many syrups, suggested by the doctor.. but none helped. Infact, he never seems to have a problem with snacks and milk, but only with normal food. Our doc suggested one way, which seemed to have worked a little. He adviced us to call him for breakfast when we are having food, and offer him his plate. Let him eat all by himself. They will spill, eventually they will learn coz he has light food at school all by himself. If he resists or denies to have food, dont make any fuss, remove the plate and let him go. Do not serve them any snacks or milk till the next meal time. You offered food once, its up to them to have it. Just cuddle them as usual and tell them stories of kids who ate well and became strong like Bheem, He Man and all, and kindle them saying you dont expect they would save the world, coz they are not strong. Ask them if they want to save the world like them and become strong like daddy, and kindle their interest to food, but wait to serve them till the next meal time. Do the same at Lunch time. If he has food then,well and good. If not leave him. Let him wait till dinner time. Make his bedtime stories revolve round some good food based stories. Or get them to see those rhymes on vegetables and fruits and food. But make sure we dont repel them with too much emphasis on food. As a mother, i know it pains to see a child not having had anything at all. But doc says, you dont worry. He would have had as much as he requires for the day's energy. Just would have left off the extra calories. and even if he doesnt have food the entire day, no issues because he is a 3 and half year old and he can understand things. Follow the same ritual even the next day. Doctor says, how many days will the child resist food. Eventually they have to submit. Dont get angry or overreact or talk about him not having had anything the whole day. Just dont make it an issue and discuss infront of him. I know you will cry behind, but dont do it in front of the child. Make sure you eat when you invite the child. But dont feel bad or stop eating because he didnt. Cause, when you show any signs you are worried or giving more importance to his pranks, they dont take it seriously. and moreover you are doing it for the good of the child. you are leaving him not eating say for one day or two days, to make sure he eats well his entire life. I think it worked a lot Barmee. and more over one suggestion from me.. Do this when no elders are at home or convince the elders at home before doing this. They are the ones who tend to spoil our entire hardwork. They are very emotional when the little one cries (as if we are not). Make sure they are stern and dont serve biscuits or snacks behind your back. I had a tough time being a working mother and my husband chipped in as much as possible. Coz my son clinged on to my mother-in-law all the time and just not let us succeed right away. It took almost a week but then, it did help in the end. And if you are interested, give them thulasi leaves or powder one hour before the meal. It, we found, cleared his stomach and increased the apetite. and yes, just check with the doc if you need to give the kids any deworming medicine before you start on your challenge of getting them to good eating habits. Hope this helps. Jay

yeah ...my kid is the skinniest of all :)...am sure...he gains weight at snails pace but looses it at jet speed....wish he had a healthy look atleast...he looks famished and starved..I think jays has a point i have tried that but I finally land up feeding him (very subtle phrase for pushing food thru a narrow uninviting passage hehehehehe)....or he screams for milk and has his way...

Hi, First try out giving food whatever the child likes.As u know breakfast is very Important after so many hours of break in the night.At least convince the child to have a tumbler of milk with some fruits,biscuits,sweets etc. Try to introduce new food every day and give it in small quantity.If they like it just give another try after a week or so. Send only the foods which the child likes in the lunch-box. Eve if it is junk it is alright.Let the child get into the habit of eating first,then u can slowly correct them for a nutritious diet. Children are good imitators.So set a good example for them by eating variety of foods yourself and serve small amounts of food each meal and encourage your child to have a second serving if the child wants to. Serve food in plates or bowls which are of different shapes and colors. Even dosai's can be made in different shapes.By seeing the shape atleast the child will be tempted to have a mouth or two.

My son of age 5 's urine is always surrounded by ants. Is he diabetic? Bcoz my father and grandparents are diabetic. I'm not. Please help me.

If your son is otherwise fine, Urine surrounded by ants is no indication that someone is diabetic , this is quite a common feature, but because diabetes runs in families so whenever you visit your paediatrician next do discuss your family history with him so that he/she  can keep a watch.

Greetings Doctor,

Hi Natalia,

No 2 kids are same so u cannot compare him with your daughter, From what you have written, doesn’t looks like there is a problem, some kids start speaking late, so if his understanding of things and hearing is all right,don’t worry, just continue talking to him, reading to him and otherwise stimulating him and just relax and enjoy your babies!