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Show By Dr. George Purvis, Director of Nutrition Gerber Products Company Q. My baby's appetite during his first year was huge but now, without any apparent reason, he barely touches his food. I'm worried that he isn't eating enough. How can I get him to eat the way he used to? A. You don't want to! What you and your baby have experienced both during dur-ing the first year and now is perfectly normal. Most older babies don't need as much food as in the first year simply because their growth is slower. It's quite common for a baby's appetite appe-tite to diminish, and even continue at a low level for a year or two. There are several things you can do during this "low ebb" that will ensure your baby's continued health: Plan healthy snacks as part of the daily food intake. Make sure they are nutritious , and varied additions to the diet. Try serving small portions. por-tions. Seeing too much food on the plate can turn off the baby's appetite. Offer second sec-ond helpings after he or she has finished. Check the baby's diet to make sure it is well-balanced. Sometimes foods too high in fats or sugar or too low in certain vitamins can reduce appetite. Make sure enough time is allowed for small child's lack of skill in eating . . Remember too that tod-' tod-' " dlcrs go through a normal period of saying "no" to everything, sometimes when - they don't even mean it. . Saying no at mealtime can turn into a game if it attracts attention. Finally, remember that babies are great imitators. And if you make it known that you don't like a particular partic-ular food, your baby is bound to follow suit. |