Summer can be a tough time for health, and even more so when it comes to your baby or toddler. Rising temperatures make them irritable and averse to food, and parents often fret that babies are not getting the nutrients they need. But parents should not worry too much. Dr. Sanket Goyal, Head of Department, Pediatrician and Neonatologist, Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram, shares, “Please remember, it is normal for a baby’s palate to change from one food or one food to another. There will come a time when your baby will eat. Well and when they deny.”
Here are some key points Dr Sanket Goel says parents should keep in mind:
- It is essential to ensure that your child gets the necessary nutrients and stays hydrated, as these are their growing years.
- Create an environment where your child happily enjoys the food they eat. Both these factors are interdependent.
- A favorable environment makes feeding your baby easier and proper nutrition ensures that they can handle the summer.
- Make mealtimes enjoyable and not just for eating. Sit and chat about other things that interest them. Try to appeal to their minds as much as their taste buds; You can paint a smiley face with peanut butter on their dish. Some fun shaped dishes can help even the pickiest.
Avoid worrying too much if your child doesn’t eat much at one meal or even in one day. The amount of food they eat throughout the week is more important. If you offer your child a varied, healthy diet, you’re sure Maybe they’re getting all the nutrients they need,” shares Dr. Goyal.
Summer heat also destroys children’s vitality and appetite. Children are generally active and energetic, often expending more energy than they consume in the form of food and nutrients. Dr. Goel can do some things to comfort your child during summer:
- Cool your home.
- Engage in various activities to whet your child’s appetite and eat well.
- Bathe and wipe them at regular intervals and keep them feeling refreshed.
- Make hydration fun. Offer different juices and fruits so that they get the required water.
Tips to keep kids healthy and hydrated during summer
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Avoid soft drinks.
- Avoid spicy, fried foods
- Consume natural and fresh fruits like watermelon, and cucumber, foods like yogurt and drinks like lemon water and coconut water.
Change the baby’s diet
Make the following changes to your baby’s diet:
Replace snacks with fruit
Avoid spicy food
Modified dairy products: Although milk is a staple food for babies, try to limit the consumption of milk in summer. Instead give them cold milk with curd, milkshake, thandai, homemade juice or rose syrup.
