Acid
Reflux And Getting Your Children To Eat With Indigestion Problems
|
|
It is a difficult
thing when your children have indigestion or acid reflux
problems. Many children suffer with digestive problems from
birth while others are diagnosed throughout their
childhood. The thing with children having indigestion
problems is that it is not only the child that is truly
affected. The whole family and mostly the parents are
impacted as well.
One of the biggest
problems parents with children who suffer from indigestion
problems is getting them to eat. Children learn quickly
when things make them uncomfortable. Infants with
indigestion will often stop eating altogether until they are
offered a different formula or cereal that is lighter on
their stomachs. It is most instinctive behavior indeed.
However, while adults know that you must eat to stay healthy
and to survive, children cannot grasp that logic. |
So, they are often
happy with no eating at all.
Older children who
start suffering from indigestion might start requesting only one
food. They may want that “safe food” that does not give them
indigestion for every meal. This too can be frustrating for
parents. Parents might worry that their child will never eat
regularly again or that the child is not getting the proper
nutrients they need.
The first thing you should do when you are having eating
problems out of your child is take a trip to your family doctor.
They will often have a list of suggestions to try. If you have
tried all of the suggestions, without success, they may
recommend your child sees a nutritionist or even a therapist to
help them with this fear.
The truth is that many
children who suffer from indigestion don’t eat because they become
afraid of food. So, they have to break their fearful behavior. It
can be a slow process and parents need to be very sensitive and
attentive during this time. Many of these children are at risk for
other eating disorders, like anorexia, if this type of behavior goes
untreated.
Some simple steps to start
with are by making lists of foods that your child feels comfortable
eating. Create their meals based on these foods, but also require
them to take at least two bites of a vegetable or some other healthy
food at each meal. This will help them see that not all foods will
hurt them.
|
Of course make sure
the foods you are requiring them to try are not likely to
cause more indigestion in general. You can do a little
research to figure out what foods are bland enough to get
them to try. Before long, your child might be eating a well
balanced diet again and you may feel great about it.
Childhood
indigestion and acid reflux may or may not be gone by the
time the child reaches adulthood. So, you need to do the
best you can to prepare the child for a lifetime struggle
with this discomfort. Teaching them what to eat and other
tips such as using an extra pillow at night is a great way
to get them to cope well with their indigestion. After all,
if they do learn to cope, they will be able to live a full
and fun life, no matter if they have acid reflux problems or
not! |
|
|
