There’s no happier moment for parents than holding their angel in their arms for the first time. There’s also nothing scarier for them than noticing their infant’s appetite dwindle. Parents around the world try all they can to ensure that their child gets the best in terms of amenities, education, and nutrition, so he grows up to become a wholesome and well-rounded individual. No surprises why new parents even forego their sleep and lose track of their meals in an attempt to keep their baby well-fed. If your baby seems to be eating less than usual, in all probability you’ve hit the panic button and attributed his poor appetite to a health concern. But there could also be numerous other reasons behind it. Here are seven factors that could be causing a loss in your baby’s appetite.
7 Causes for Loss of Appetite in Babies
1. Teething
It’s amazing how quickly babies grow. Even before you realize, you see tiny teeth sprout in your infant’s mouth, no longer leaving his smile toothless. This milestone in your baby’s life, however, can also cause a loss of appetite due to the discomfort and pain of the teeth tearing through your baby’s gums.Babies often start teething between the 4th-7th month. You can help relieve the teething pain by giving your baby teething toys to chew on. Try feeding him cold foods like yogurt or mashed fruits. Breastfeeding and bottle feeding can further increase the pain so try feeding him with a cup instead.
2. High Intake Of Fluids
Another reason your baby could be eating less might be because of the overconsumption of fluids like water and juices. The milk your baby consumes is enough to keep him hydrated until he’s 6 months old. Offering excess water to your baby can hinder his body’s ability to absorb the nutrients contained in breast milk or formula. Doing so can also make him feel too full, too soon, thus making him resistant to foods and lowering his appetite.
3. Infections
Viral and bacterial infections could also be the cause your child is refusing food. Conditions such as flu, ear infections, and bronchitis can cause pain and rapid breathing, making it difficult for your baby to eat and sleep. If your baby is experiencing these troubles, it is imperative that you seek medical assistance and ensure he is vaccinated against all common infections. Try avoiding pacifiers as they increase the incidence of ear infections in babies by almost 33%.
4. Hot Weather
The heat can get to even the best of us, and our babies are no different. Overheating can make your baby cranky, develop rashes and also increase his resistance to foods. If uncontrolled, it can even lead to dehydration. You must be overcautious about ensuring that your infant is well-hydrated and is always in a cool room during summers. Make him wear light cotton clothing that doesn’t stick to his body. If the symptoms persist despite these measures, reach out to your baby’s doctor on priority.
5. Food Intolerance
Allergy or intolerance to certain foods like milk, eggs, peanuts, and soy, may cause your baby to experience symptoms such as bloating, itching, vomiting, diarrhea and appetite loss. It is important that you identify the foods that your baby is allergic to and avoid them completely. If your little one seems allergic to milk protein, try feeding him hypoallergenic infant formulas that can help alleviate the symptoms of the allergy and bring his appetite back on track.
6. Sore Throat
Your baby’s sore throat could be a result of persistent crying or a viral infection. It could cause a difficulty in swallowing, thus leading to a loss of your baby’s appetite. In case your baby’s sore throat is accompanied by fever and swollen lymph nodes, reach out to your doctor for immediate medical help to ease the infection and increase your infant’s appetite.
7. Growth
It is important that you know how your baby’s growth cycle works. He grows at the fastest rate in the first six months, and his growth begins to slow down between the sixth and the twelfth month. His growth slows down further between the twelfth to the eighteenth month. Thus, if your baby is eating much lesser as compared to what he used to in his tenth month, it’s probably because his body doesn’t need as many calories. Make sure to always keep your doctor in the loop about your baby’s nutritional intake and requirements.
Make sure to avoid forcing food down your baby’s throat as it could lead to further health complications. Be patient and gentle while feeding your infant, keeping the pointers mentioned above in mind. As your baby grows up, slowly introduce new variations in his diet in consultation with your doctor. Happy feeding!
If your baby has recently started on solids, you might also be wondering what kind of feeding chair is best for your baby. Check out our detailed post – High Chair Vs Booster Seat: Your Ultimate Guide to Buying a Feeding Chair.
Article by Aradhana Pandey
Aradhana is from India. She is a veteran writer on topics concerning parenting, child nutrition, wellness, health and lifestyle. As a regular contributor to popular sites like Huffington Post, Natural news, Elephant journal, Thehealthsite, Naturally Savvy, Curejoy and MomJunction.com, Aradhana writes to inspire and motivate people to adopt healthy habits and live a stress-free lifestyle.
Hi my daughter is 3 months old. About three weeks ago she had a fever for about a day, once that went away she started to refused to breast feed and wouldn’t drink from the bottle either. She normally would take about 3.5 ounces a feeding and was only eating an ounce to a half an ounce. After a few days and lots of patience she was back to normal. Then a few days later refusing to breast feed, and taking about an ounce at a time. I’ve been dairy free since she was six week, and as of two weeks ago she is on medication for acid reflux. Nothing seems to help and I’m out of ideas. Doctors keep saying she looks great But I just feel like something is wrong.
Hello Britney,
It’s not to be worried if doctors have confirmed that she is perfectly fine. Relax dear, Feed often and don’t worry of quantity. If baby denies, stop and re-feed after 30 or 40 minutes.
my daughter is 9mnths olds for the 3weeks she has fever and coughing for the she didn’t not eat as she used to
Hi,
Please check on the link for foods to be given during illness for babies. Kindly select recipes according to baby’s age. Link – https://goo.gl/tbmT25
My son is 1 year and 4 months old and he had cold cough and fever few days back and from then he is not at all willing to eat anything. How do I increase his appetite?
Hi,
I understand what you are going through, don’t worry. Start giving light foods now and gradually get into the usual diet plan. He would be alright.
Hi mam. My daughter is 7months old and has milk and soy protein allergies. She weighs 5.9 kgs. She is on hypoallergenic formula and doesn’t intake as much as expected by the doctor. She is way under her weight goals. Is there any way I can increase her appetite? She also has ng tube for night feeds. I’m really concerned. Please help. She eats fruit purees but sometimes.
Hi Arpita,
Please don’t worry of weight if baby is healthy dear. If you want your baby to be chubby, you can give the nutritious weight gain mixes. Please find details in link below. Please consult with your pediatrician before giving anything new, as the baby is allergic. Try giving different variety of foods. Our website will help you with different nutritious recipes.Link – https://goo.gl/gCbNm8
Hi, my son has a huge loss of appetite, and he also throws up his milk. He is 1. He also has a stuffy nose. Any suggestions?
Hello Pou,
You need to improve your child’s immunity, feed your child immune boosting foods. If your child doesn’t like milk then there are other ways by which you can make your child drink milk like milkshakes,smoothie, slush, pancakes by adding fruits into the batter, by making fruit popsicles along with milk etc. can be made to tempt your child. And for creating an appetite try exerting him physically by giving small chores or indoor or outdoor playing to exert the energy, feed dry fruits and ample of water so that they can build the appetite.
You can put mittens, distract baby these are the only ways. Have to be vigilant as its too early to pick on habits.
My son had cold cough and fever few days back and from then he is not at all willing to eat anything. How do I increase his appetite?
Hi Sushma, gradually introduce him to his routine diet. You can start with light foods and then move on to heavier foods.
Hello mam, my son is 8 months and 18 days old… He only eats custard, soozi kheer, milk… He don’t drink plain water… And salty food he doesn’t like and eat… He didn’t eat banana, papaya, potato, dal ka pani or dal… Plzzz suggest..
You can search for finger foods on the blog and give him if he has started teething. You can try feeding him tasty puree options in the blog.
Hi Dr I need help ora is teething nd Xe doesn’t want food or anithing nd forever crying expecially at nyt…Xe doesn’t sleep?wat can I give her shes 6mnths
HI, check the food chart for 6th month you can give her finger foods and teething biscuits. All of them you can find here itself
Hi mam,
My daughter has some fungal infection on the skin.does that mean that she has some infection inside her body and so there is a drop in her intake of food?FYKI she is 10months old.
Best regards
Thank u hema your suggestion help me a lot