My two-year-old daughter is not willing to eat fibre-rich food and consequently suffers constipation. Please advise.
— Vandana Shankar, Mumbai
Infants fed only soft or semi-solid foods often experience difficulty adjusting to food that needs chewing. But it’s important to introduce her to different types of food. Introduce new foods when she is hungry. You can also add chewable pieces of food in soup and porridge. Make new food attractive by serving in a favourite bowl. Bananas, mangoes and apples, and other fruits provide good fibre. Chappatis and oats also aid digestion. Follow a daily meals time routine as it ensures regular bowel and bladder movement.
My five-year-old son keeps crying for everything and due to this his throat has become sore. How do I help him?
— Joli Sarkar, New Delhi
Firstly, you need to identify the cause of his persistent crying and ideate ways to manage the situation. Young children tend to express their problems and frustrations through crying. Therefore it’s of utmost importance you investigate, understand and address the cause. In this case, it may be possible that he might be crying because of constant throat pain. Also check if he cries when urinating and if his abdomen is bloated. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a paediatrician. To soothe a sore throat, you can give him warm drinking water. If it doesn’t improve, consult your doctor to rule out tonsillitis.
My five-year-old son is able to understand what I say but takes a long time to reply. Is there cause for worry?
— Reenu Mathur, Chennai
There could be several reasons for his delayed response. He may have difficulty with hearing, comprehension, or communication. Before reaching any conclusion, consult a paediatrician to evaluate him thoroughly. If he suspects a problem, he will refer you to a speech therapist or special educator for overall assessment. Early identification of speech problems is critical for intervention and treatment.
(Dr. Gauthami B. is a general physician at Ferticare Clinic, Bangalore)