Challenges in Meeting Children's Nutritional Needs After Weaning

Children learn from what they observe, and family eating habits serve as a child’s first nutritional education.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Upon reaching the age of two, children enter a vital phase of growth. Breast milk, which previously served as a primary source of intake, ceases, while the child’s activity levels increase.

They begin to move more, play, and explore their environment. At the same time, many parents face new problems when children become picky eaters, struggle to eat, or engage in ‘refusal to eat’ (GTM) behaviours.

This situation often causes anxiety. Parents may prepare nutritious meals, only for the child to take a tiny bite or reject the food entirely.

However, the phase of difficult eating should not mean that attention is focused solely on how much food a child consumes. Equally important is monitoring the quality and diversity of the nutrients the child receives throughout the day.

During this period, children require energy and various nutrients to support both physical growth and brain development. Protein, iron, vitamin C, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, DHA, as well as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, are several nutrients that require attention.

Iron, for instance, is an essential micronutrient that plays a role in various bodily functions, including supporting a child’s cognitive development.

Meanwhile, vitamin C helps increase iron absorption so that it can be utilised more optimally by the body. Therefore, combining iron sources with vitamin C in a child’s diet is crucial.

These needs should be met through a diverse diet. Milk is not the sole source of nutrition and cannot replace main meals.

However, for some families, milk remains a part of the daily diet, even when a child is going through a difficult eating phase.

When providing milk, parents should not only consider the flavour the child enjoys. The nutritional content must also be read and understood. Iron, vitamin C, DHA, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, protein, calcium, vitamin D, and zinc are several components to consider according to the child’s needs.

The more important principle is not to rely on a single type of food or drink for nutritional adequacy. Children need to be introduced to a variety of food ingredients from an early age.

The difficult eating phase can actually serve as an opportunity for families to build better eating habits, while maintaining patience and consistency.