Force feeding takes many forms. A parent may distract, coax, threaten, punish, bribe, or forcefully shove food in a little one's mouth. Feeding should be a natural process where the child feels hungry, cries for food, drinks from his bottle, or eats, then stops once they are full. Forceful feeding, however, ignores baby cues of satisfaction. Here is why force feeding is harmful rather than helpful.

Force-fed babies do not eat when they are hungry. Their mealtimes are in line with when the parent feels the baby needs feeding. Doing so decreases their appetite for food.

Baby May Develop A Food Aversion

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Not all babies enjoy eating new foods. If a parent coerces the child to eat more of the new fruit or vegetable, they may end up disliking it. What's more, the baby may not be happy with their parent for using threats, distractions, or forcefully feeding them.

Even at a young age, the baby's stomach does signal the brain when it is full. This is why babies refuse the bottle, turn their heads away or arch their backs when they are satisfied. Offering the bottle or food after the baby is full can lead to food aversion.

Food aversion happens when babies associate mealtimes with stress. Kids Spot explains that babies with food aversion cry and become stressed when they see the feeding bottle or spoon. Even when they are hungry, they refuse to feed or drink less. They roll their tongue around the bottle or spoon and push it out.

Force Feeding Can Result In Vomiting

Imagine if someone forcefully shoved food in your mouth when you are full. Or, they served you a large serving of that meal you dislike and threatened you to complete it. How would you react? That is the same scenario babies find themselves in. First Cry Parenting points out that babies vomit when they are forcefully fed. For this and other reasons, parents should avoid forceful feeding.

It Results In Unhealthy Eating Habits

Avoid Force Feeding Toddler
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Our bodies are designed to respond to hunger by eating and stopping when one is satisfied. When a baby is forced to eat when they are full, their body stops recognizing the signals. With time, the baby does not stop eating when they are satisfied. Child Feeding Guide believes that these habits result in overeating and overweight babies.

On the other hand, small babies can become anorexic. If a baby relates eating with stress, they will avoid the experience. Not only will they miss nutrients from the meals but they will also have poor weight gain.

Self-Esteem Is A Psychological Effect Of Force Feeding

Eating should be a relaxing time for a parent and baby. However, with forceful feeding, a parent may use distraction to entice the baby to eat more. Walking, playing, and jiggling may not harm the baby. These actions may only have desired short-term results before the baby outgrows the distractions.

Most parents do not understand that forceful feeding can affect a baby's state of mind. When a baby feels they have no control over how much food to eat, they may feel lost and have problems with their self-esteem. This may seem extreme, but this is an example of how force feeding affects a child psychologically.

How To Avoid Force Feeding A Baby

Avoid Force Feeding Toddler
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•Remain Objective

Why are you feeding your baby? Do you want satisfaction or do you need your baby fed? An honest answer to these questions will depict you only want your little one satisfied. Therefore, always ensure mealtimes are a pleasurable time for the baby to get their needs met.

•Check The Sizes Of Meals

Next, check whether the meal sizes are enough or too much. If you scoop more than enough food in a baby's bowl, chances are they will not clear the dish. How can you tell if the serving is right? You can use your baby's palm. Ensure that a single serving is equivalent to what your baby would hold in their palm. Doing so will eliminate chances of overfeeding them.

•Trust Your Baby

A well-fed bed will turn their head away from the bottle or spoon. Remember that the stomach signals the brain when it has had enough. Therefore, instead of pushing more milk or food, trust that your baby is full. Or, if you are concerned, serve little feedings throughout the day.

•Be Empathetic

Do not force-feed your baby if you would not want the same for you. Recognize that forceful feeding causes distress to a baby.

•Find Out Why Baby Does Not Want To Eat

Rather than restrain your child to have some more cereal or milk, find out why they are eating less. It could be they are unwell, are too tired, or have eaten numerous snacks during the day. Write a meal diary to examine whether your daily routine is affecting the baby's eating behavior.

NEXT: Help! My Toddler Refuses To Eat!

Sources: First Cry Parenting, Child Feeding Guide, Kid Spot