How fussy eaters drown their appetite

Generally, when we think of drinking milk, our first thought is babies. However, it’s really common for older fussy eaters to also prefer to drink milk than eat food.

In fact, it may not even be milk. Some children fill up the tummy with water, Up & Go’s or formula instead.

Unfortunately, drinking instead of eating can exacerbate or even cause picky eating.

Babies need milk to develop and grow. From 6 months food begins to supplement their milk intake. Then once a baby becomes a toddler at 12 months the reliance on milk shifts and food becomes the primary source of nutrition and calories.

Unfortunately, many children continue to rely on milk well after this age. It is also not unusual for parents to rely on formula to ensure their older child is getting all the nutrients they need.

A toddler’s stomach is the size of their fist so it’s very easy to fill up. Too much milk or even water and juice can drown their appetite.

Older children may have a bigger stomach, but they also have a greater capacity to drink and can still fill up too much space with liquid.

Making sure a child drinks enough water is important for optimal health.

If you have a picky eater it’s really useful too, for helping to prevent constipation.

Sometimes though, the drinking tips from a positive into a negative.

What causes a fussy eater to drown their appetite?

1. Easy. Drinking is often easier for a child than eating, particularly when food is difficult. Children who find food a little more challenging will often fill an empty tummy with drinks instead of with food.

Yes, it’s important for a child to have enough to drink, but it’s important not to fill a hungry belly with liquid.

2. Timing. It may be about when a child drinks as much as how much.

Before snacks and meals, it’s good to keep an eye on how much a child is drinking. Even water can fill up a hungry…