Nutrition guide for children and caregivers

Nutrition guide for children and caregivers. Practical steps for parents and caregivers concerned about a child’s growth.

For: Parents and caregivers concerned about a child’s growth

General guidance across countries. Sources checked 2026-09-26.

What to notice in a child

Malnutrition means the body is not receiving or using the nutrients it needs. A child may be losing weight, not gaining weight or growing as expected, lacking energy or getting ill often. A child can look a reasonable size and still lack important nutrients.

Bring the child's growth record to a health visit. The team can assess growth, feeding, illness and access to food. Tell them about persistent diarrhoea, mouth pain, difficulty swallowing or a sudden loss of appetite.

A feeding plan that fits the family

Ask for a practical plan using foods the family can obtain. Small, frequent meals and snacks can help, and breastfeeding should continue where appropriate. Include varied foods with energy, protein and micronutrients, rather than relying on one staple alone.

Severe malnutrition may need supervised therapeutic feeding and treatment of infection. Keep scheduled growth checks even when appetite improves. If there is not enough food at home, say so: the care plan should include available nutrition or social support, not blame the caregiver.

Sources

  1. Malnutrition · Public sector health information · OGL v3.0

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Read the complete Malnutrition in children topic