How to Increase Hunger in Infants?

Tips to Increase Hunger in Infants

Listed below are few ways that can help increase hunger in infants:

• Feed when the baby is hungry

As he/she grows, your baby will start exhibiting visible hunger cues. He/she nuzzles towards your breast, sucks his/her thumbs, cries, and puts the tongue out when hungry.

• Keep the surroundings pleasant

Make the environment pleasant to keep your baby happy while nursing to increase his/her appetite. Avoid feeding in very noisy or bright surroundings.

• Take care of the baby’s posture

A baby’s posture is crucial, ensuring the baby has fed right. Cradle hold, cross-over hold, reclining posture, etc., are holding positions that enable the baby to latch onto your breast properly and nurse well.

• Encourage the baby to play

Ensure your baby gets enough playtime with his/her toys. You can also encourage your baby to crawl once he/she has reached that stage, as these activities can increase hunger.

• Increase the zinc content

Zinc-rich foods like cashews, pumpkin seeds, and wheat bran promote the production of digestion-inducing hydrochloric acid, which eventually increases hunger in infants.

• Add the right spices

When preparing solid foods for your baby, add about ½ a spoonful of appetite-improving spices. These spices include cumin seeds, carrom seeds, hing (asafoetida), coriander seeds, and cinnamon.

• Reduce instances of extrusion reflex

When babies frequently spit out their food, they lose interest in eating, and it affects their appetite. Hence, be patient with them. Make them sit properly and feed them slowly.

• Do not overfeed

Avoid overfeeding, and don’t forget to make your baby burp after every feed. Experiment with new and colourful foods to attract him/her. When the baby is about 6 to 8 months old, you can give him/her ginger/basil water in the morning to increase your baby’s appetite. De-worming is a good option for kids between 2 and 5 years to increase their appetite.