Before moving on to discuss what causes loss of appetite in babies, it’s important to acknowledge that parents cherish the joy of holding their newborns. However, it can be worrisome when they notice a decline in their baby’s appetite. Amidst their dedication to providing the best for their child, including nutrition and care, it is common for parents to feel concerned if their baby eats less than usual. While health concerns may be the immediate worry, various factors can contribute to a loss of appetite in babies. Here are seven possible causes for loss of appetite in babies to consider.
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
Overconsumption of fluids like water and juices can contribute to your baby eating less. Breast milk or formula provides enough hydration until they are six months old. Offering excessive water can hinder nutrient absorption and make your baby feel full, resulting in a decreased 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
Excessive heat can affect babies, leading to crankiness, rashes, and a decreased appetite. It’s important to keep them well-hydrated, in a cool environment, and dressed in light cotton clothing. If the loss of appetite persists, consult your baby’s doctor for guidance.
5. Food Intolerance
Allergy or intolerance to certain foods like milk, eggs, peanuts, and soy can lead to symptoms such as bloating, itching, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite in babies. Identifying and avoiding the allergenic foods is crucial. If your baby shows signs of milk protein allergy, consider feeding them hypoallergenic infant formulas as they can help alleviate allergy symptoms and restore their appetite.
6. Sore Throat
Your baby’s sore throat may be a result of persistent crying or a viral infection. This can make swallowing difficult, leading to a loss of appetite. If your baby’s sore throat is accompanied by fever and swollen lymph nodes, it is important to seek immediate medical help from your doctor. They can provide appropriate treatment to ease the infection and help restore 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.
Hello,
My baby is 4 1/2 months and will only eat when asleep. Is that normal?
Feeding milk while sleeping is okay to some extent. But please make sure that he takes milk while awake as well. Partial sleep feeding is normal and not to be worried.
Hi my baby is 4 months old and he is not taking much of my breast milk and his weight is dropping. At birth his weight was 3.6kg, at 3months he was 7.2kg but now he has dropped. The dr.say he is okay, but l want him to come up on his weight . What am I going to do for his weight to come up..
Hi,
Weight is definitely not to be worried if your baby is active and healthy. Baby has gained good weight. The basic idea is that the baby should have tripled the birth weight by 1 year. No worries, it’s just a developing stage 🙂
My babe is turning 4 months on the 06 November 2020. she is on formula milk since birth and now just dropped appetite. what could be a problem.
Hi,
Please check with your pediatrician and opt for a different formula milk if he suggests you to.
Good day, I noticed that the palms of my 2 months old baby appeared red as she woke up with a sudden cry this afternoon only for the palms to appear normal after few minutes of sucking breast.. please is this okay because this is the first time I’m seeing this
Hi,
Sorry dear, we won’t be able to guide you without physically examining the baby. Kindly consult with your doctor once.
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