Baby Please EAT!

It was a Tuesday morning, I was all set to go to work and was busy preparing lunch for all of us, K, me and J. Then suddenly the alarm bell rang, K was up with high fever, watery eyes…….Me and J was just shattered.

K did have her phase of sickness before; she even had a visit to the hospital when she was 8 months old for a case of severe diarrhea, but fever! Never……..not even during DPT vaccination (all thanks to the pain less shots). Worried me and J rushed her to the doctor, went through a painful process of routine blood test. It is so difficult when you need to do this, getting the right vein for such a small child is quite tricky and so goes multiple pricks. Nevertheless, my brave girl put a brilliant face, she did cry for sometime but the moment she was out with her parents, she forgot what went inside. However, the Mom in question was devastated.

This was all in the morning and then came the feeding time. K as I always mentioned, a very fussy eater and there is nothing in the world I think she likes to eat. Bread butter, cheese, kichddi, Fired Rice, Puri, Upma,………..you name it. She may have it for a day but the next day……..it unpalatable for her. Tuesday followed with 4 days off any solid food for K. Friends consoled us that during fever children do so etc etc and we took it on our stride believing that this will pass. However, my worst nightmare came true when on Saturday doctor proclaimed that she is slowly joining the underweight child club and I need to sit back and take stock. K is still in the range when it comes to weight but what worries is that, she is maintaining the same weight since last 5 months. She was 9 kgs when she was 9 months and she is 9.5 Kgs now when she is 1 year 31/2 months.

In these months I never force-fed her, the moment she signaled no for a food, I accepted, thinking that she will pick up later and our hyperactive K is replenishing her calories adequately. Now the coin has turned and to check on her growth, I need to force-feed her.

I am worried, confused, not sure how to handle the situation. Shall I leave her and let her eat when she is hungry (which I doubt will ever come true) and or shall I force-feed her so that she takes her nutrition. In both cases, I am devastated, either by worrying of her slow growth or by handling a traumatized crying baby whom I am pushing the food into…