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Why is my 3-year-old refusing food and depending only on milk?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My 3-year-old daughter refuses to eat most of the food items. Occasionally she eats boiled vegetables and bread; otherwise, she only depends on boiled milk. He even chokes the food and spills it. As a result, I cannot introduce new foods to her. She also struggles to pass stools (three or four times a week). I do not know what the problem may be. Can you please advise on this?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Prakash Chandra Girdhar Lal Nagar

Education:

MRCPCH UK

Professional Bio:

Dr. Prakash Chandra Girdhar Lal Nagar is a Pediatrician, having 42 years of clinical experience. He got tremendous experience in renowned hospitals in India, including Nanavati Hospital and Nair Hospital of Mumbai. Later, he worked as a Specialist Pediatrics in a very busy 450 bedded MOH hospital in Oman for more than 10 years. He worked as Specialist Pediatrics at JCI accredited MOH hospital of UAE, and he also has vast experience in Neonatology in Oman, UAE, UK, and Canada.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Everyone has their own liking and taste, so do not force on any specific food. Also, at this age, children may like one type of food and may start disliking it after some time and start liking other food they refuse. All these are normal child behavior. If you force anything, things will go on the opposing side.

Develop confidence and let her believe that mom is only asking me to taste the food; if I do not like it, she will not force me for it. Give her what she likes and explain what is good and what is not. A 3-year-old child understands all these. They are more intelligent than adults. So be patient, explain to her with love and affection very softly, and everything will be alright.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At November 16, 2022
Reviewed At June 8, 2026

Education:

MRCPCH UK

Professional Bio:

Dr. Prakash Chandra Girdhar Lal Nagar is a Pediatrician, having 42 years of clinical experience. He got tremendous experience in renowned hospitals in India, including Nanavati Hospital and Nair Hospital of Mumbai. Later, he worked as a Specialist Pediatrics in a very busy 450 bedded MOH hospital in Oman for more than 10 years. He worked as Specialist Pediatrics at JCI accredited MOH hospital of UAE, and he also has vast experience in Neonatology in Oman, UAE, UK, and Canada.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MRCPCH UK

Professional Bio:

Dr. Prakash Chandra Girdhar Lal Nagar is a Pediatrician, having 42 years of clinical experience. He got tremendous experience in renowned hospitals in India, including Nanavati Hospital and Nair Hospital of Mumbai. Later, he worked as a Specialist Pediatrics in a very busy 450 bedded MOH hospital in Oman for more than 10 years. He worked as Specialist Pediatrics at JCI accredited MOH hospital of UAE, and he also has vast experience in Neonatology in Oman, UAE, UK, and Canada.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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