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Thank you so much for the valuable suggestions doctor. His main problem has always been cough and cold (running nose), but everytime it used to be gone in a few days time with treatment. However this time it's prolonging, such that we had to change medicines multiple times from the consulting pediatric.

Which fresh fruit juice are suitable for him? He is 3 now. Also in what form can we give him. Vegetables and which ones? Can you advise please?

Any fruit juice and all vegetables are OK.
Besides oranges, Strawberries, pineapple, mango. Kiwifruit, papaya, guava, amla are good sources of vitamin C
Amongst vegetables - Bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes and variety of seasonal vegetables are also good sources.
Vitamin C has healing properties since it is an anti-oxidant but it is highly perishable too.
Therefore, Fresh juice should be drunk immediately after straining.

- Anuja, Pediatric Nutritionist, AIIMS, New Delhi

Swapna. Thank you for your question. We have forwarded your question to the appropriate Pediatric Expert, will get back to you once our expert responds.

He may not feel like eating properly if he is always down with cold and fever. As adults, even we do not feel like eating or doing anything when we catch a cold. We don't even want to talk to anyone and we just prefer being left alone. Similarly if the child feels irritable because of recurrent cold and cough. In this case, the child needs to be investigated further. We must check if there is any weight loss or if iron is low. The hemoglobin has to be checked because if there is a deficiency in iron then the child may not feel hungry. Iron deficiency can actually lead to Anorexia. If the child does not eat well, then we can just twist the food to make it look interesting for the child. Instead of giving milk directly, we can give some form of pudding so the child may enjoy it. Curd can be given instead of milk. If he has some kind of aversion to milk, we can give more protein rich food like eggs and other non-vegetarian food. Pulses can be given to the child. Vitamin C also enhances the absorption of iron and calcium.
Dr. ANUJA, Pediatric Nutritionist, AIIMS, New Delhi.