Some mothers are forced to switch to formula milk when breastfeeding is not possible. However, here parents can face a problem when the baby does not eat formula. But this nutrition is extremely important for the crumbs, even if he is already switching to complementary foods. The volume of complementary foods at first is not enough for the child, so it should be supplemented with breast milk or formula until the baby completely switches to adult food. In addition, some babies switch to bottle feeding prior to complementary feeding.
Artificial feeding
Modern milk formulas are developed using new technologies and are maximally adapted to the composition of breast milk. Today, various types of food are produced that are suitable for different categories of babies, including newborns, allergy sufferers, premature babies and underweight babies, a child with a lack of any vitamins or elements.
Of course, no formula can replace mother's milk, but sometimes parents have no other choice. In this case, it is important to choose the right food for the baby and organize artificial feeding. When the baby does not eat formula or the baby refuses breast milk, he does not eat up and does not receive the important elements and nutrients that the baby needs for harmonious growth and development. In this article, we will learn what to do if a child refuses formula.
First of all, it is important to understand why the child is not hungry. Having determined this, you can eliminate the cause, and then the baby will eat correctly and fully, according to the norms and recommendations of pediatricians. Let's take a closer look at the reasons for the refusal of the child from the formula.
Features of nutrition of infants
Often the child is not hungry and does not need that much food. Children older than 4-5 months are already switching to more rare feedings, the intervals between which become larger, but at the same time one serving volume also increases. Therefore, by the time of feeding according to the old regimen, the baby may not be hungry yet.
As practice shows, a newborn eats about seven to eight times a day with an interval of three hours. Milk mixture for crumbs at 4-6 months can be given every 3.5-4 hours. If a child feels good, develops and grows normally, there is nothing wrong with eating less, no. If the crumb refuses to eat, offer the mixture again after 30-40 minutes.
Do not overfeed your baby. Because of overfeeding, the baby will not only refuse the next feed, but will also feel uncomfortable. As a result, flatulence increases and weight increases, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may appear. Some children may develop obesity and even diabetes. Eat a normal diet to avoid complications.
The daily norm of the mixture for a child up to four weeks is up to 120 ml. For children of one to three months, it reaches 150-180 ml, at three to five months it increases to 180-200 ml. After four to five months with the introduction of complementary foods, the daily volume of mixtures is gradually reduced.
First feeding
Many babies do not eat formula at the start of complementary foods. The taste of adult food may seem more interesting and varied to kids than fresh milk. In this case, it is recommended to reduce the volume of mixtures, but you cannot completely refuse such additional feeding!
The first complementary foods for artificial people begin to be introduced as early as four to five months. As the first adult dishes in the baby's menu, they include vegetable purees and dairy-free gluten-free cereals, then the child is given fruit purees, juices and compotes. He will tell you how to properly introduce complementary foods into the baby's diet.
Switching from breastfeeding to formula feeding
After the end of lactation, lack of breast milk, with a serious illness, separation from the mother and for other reasons, parents are forced to transfer the child to artificial feeding. Then the baby can be capricious and not take any formula. In this case, you need to be patient, choose the right food and taste that the baby will like and will not cause digestive problems.
Health problems
Health problems reduce appetite or make the baby refuse to eat altogether. Among such problems can be a common cold and fever. After all, adults also want to eat less during flu or SARS, and many cannot eat at all. In addition, newborns and babies up to 3-5 months are often plagued by colic and bloating.
Other problems in this category include ear and throat pain when it hurts the child to swallow. The baby cannot comfortably eat the milk mixture from a bottle and with a stuffy nose. In this case, special ones are used, which easily and comfortably remove accumulated fluid and mucus from the nasal passages. For colds, pain in the ears and throat, jaw, for severe stomach upset, be sure to contact your pediatrician!
Cutting teeth and pain in the gums are a common cause of a baby's refusal to eat. During this period, the baby experiences pain and inflammation, which is why it feels discomfort and cannot eat normally. Some children even have diarrhea or nausea, which also causes food refusal.
Eating and having a bottle with a nipple in your mouth only intensifies the negative sensations. In this case, you need to wait and not force-feed the baby. By the way, special children's pain relief and discomfort are reduced.
Selection and preparation of the mixture
An improperly selected and prepared mixture is a common reason why a baby does not eat a mixture well. Today, manufacturers offer a ton of different mixtures, and it is important to choose the right diet. Remember that the composition can cause allergies in the child, disrupt the work of enzymes. In addition, it may not taste good. It is especially difficult for babies to switch to artificial mixtures if they have been on GW for a long time.
It is important to choose a formula according to the age and needs of the child. When choosing, take into account the characteristics of the crumbs' body and consult a pediatrician. Prepare meals according to the instructions and mix the powder correctly!
Often, a change in the mixture and taste to which the baby is accustomed leads to the fact that he eats little or refuses to eat. Therefore, if you find a suitable mixture, do not change products unless it is necessary due to age. But in rare cases, it also happens vice versa, when the crumb is already tired of the taste. Then try to find another product. But before changing, be sure to consult your pediatrician!
If your child has allergies, choose a goat milk-based hypoallergenic formula marked “GA”. For newborns and babies up to six months, highly adapted and adapted products with the designation “1” are chosen. For children over six months, partially adapted and casein mixtures with the label “2” are suitable.
For children over a year old choose milk formula "3", and for a premature baby and in case of lack of weight - the product "0" or "Pre". Fermented milk mixtures are classified as therapeutic nutrition and are given to babies with frequent constipation and regurgitation, stool disorders and digestive disorders. You will find more information on how to choose and prepare a formula for babies, as well as a rating of the best products.
Uncomfortable nipple
If the child refuses the bottle with the formula, it may be uncomfortable for the baby to eat. An incorrectly fitted nipple, or a new nipple that is still stiff, can reduce appetite. Choose a comfortable, soft nipple with a suitable shape and a medium-sized hole. Too large an opening will lead to an increase in the milk flow, as a result, the crumb will drown when feeding and swallow excess air. Incidentally, this leads to bloating and frequent, profuse regurgitation.
An orifice that is too small, on the other hand, makes it difficult to feed the milk flow. As a result, the baby lacks strength, air and nutrition itself. It is advisable to use the same model of the nipple to which the baby is accustomed. In addition, when choosing, follow the recommendations for the age of the child, which are indicated on the product packaging.
Last updated article: 04/14/2018
Poor appetite in newborns and babies is a serious cause for parental anxiety. Many mothers are worried because it is extremely difficult to figure out why a child does not eat well. Both newborn babies and babies at 4 months cannot explain and tell what specifically does not suit them. They demonstrate all their dissatisfaction with the help of screams and tears, or simply tacit refusal and unwillingness to suckle the breast or drink the mixture. This also complicates the ability to establish the cause of poor appetite, since experts identify many negative factors due to which a small child can start to be capricious, cry and refuse to eat.
Child psychologist
That a newborn baby, that a child at 5 months old can eat poorly for many reasons, among which are the peculiarities of lactation in the mother, health disorders, physiological characteristics at birth and much, much more.
If the baby is not breastfeeding well, it can be assumed that there is a “problem” in lactation. For example, some nursing mothers have an excess of milk secretion, while others, on the contrary, are sorely lacking.
In the first case, the baby simply chokes because of the too powerful "jet" of milk, as a result of which it can abandon the breast. In such a situation, the mother needs to express a little before feeding. And then, when the children's appetite increases (for example, at 2 weeks), the need for this procedure will disappear.
The opposite situation is when the child does not have enough milk. In this case, the mother must take all measures permitted and approved by the pediatrician that improve lactation:
- more frequent latching of the baby to the breast;
- pumping after breastfeeding;
- drinking a lot of fluids;
- drinking a special tea that improves milk separation.
If all these measures did not lead to a quality one, the only way remains is to feed the child with a formula. But before introducing an artificial product into the children's diet, you need to consult a pediatrician.
Sometimes women are not entirely responsible for their own diet, using those foods that change. For example, spicy vegetables (onions, garlic) change the taste of breast secretions, resulting in the baby refusing to breastfeed. The way out is quite simple - to approach the menu with all responsibility.
It is not uncommon for a child to eat little because of incorrect attachment to the breast. This happens especially often with inexperienced parents who are raising their first child.
The solution is quite simple - a woman should seek the help of a breastfeeding expert or, even in the maternity hospital, ask the staff to clearly demonstrate how to properly attach the baby to the mother's breast.
A newborn baby sometimes does not take mother's breast due to the irregular shape of the nipples. If they are too flat, sunken, it is not easy for the baby to get milk.
Naturally, the child remains hungry, which is completely unacceptable. Usually after a day or two, babies adjust and adapt, but in rare cases, if the situation does not improve, the pediatrician may advise the use of special nipple covers.
Congenital features
Often, babies are born earlier than planned. As a result, the innate sucking reflex is not formed to the extent that would allow the baby to suckle without problems. That is, a premature baby does not refuse to eat, but simply is not able to get milk, because he does not have enough strength.
Naturally, in such a situation, the mother must correct the problem. Feeding with a bottle (it is easier to suck), a syringe or a teaspoon will help her in this. It should only be understood that the habit of eating from a special container is fraught with a complete rejection of the mother's breast.
In addition, impaired appetite can be caused by other congenital features. Usually, such anomalies are found even in the maternity hospital, where they are immediately corrected, but this is not always possible.
- Abnormalities in the structure of the oral cavity. Congenital defects of the oral cavity, which are popularly called "cleft lip" or "cleft palate", can also cause the child to eat poorly and gain little weight. Usually, the operation is performed immediately (if the child's health allows), but if the procedure is postponed to a later date, special feeding pads may be required.
- Short lingual frenulum. If a child is born with a short film connecting the bottom of the mouth with the root of the tongue, then it will be uncomfortable for him to suck milk. When sucking, even a characteristic clatter is heard. Usually the problem is solved easily - the surgeon cuts the bridle, and the newborn baby (and a child under 5 months old) does not feel pain at all.
If childbirth took place with the use of anesthesia, then some of the painkillers can get into the child's body. As a result, in the first days, newborns are sluggish, which also affects insufficient activity during feeding.
A decrease in appetite or a complete lack of it in an infant at 5 months old may be due to the first teeth coming out. In such a situation, refusal to eat becomes a completely natural and temporary phenomenon.
The baby's appetite not only decreases, but the gums begin to swell, the temperature rises. The child also feels pain, so it is imperative to help him. So, in case of temperature, an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent can be given.
In order for the baby to start eating with appetite as soon as possible, it is necessary to smear his gums with special gels with cooling, soothing and analgesic properties several times a day. Also in the pharmacy it is recommended to purchase special teethers that massage the gums.
Tummy pain
If a month-old baby does not take the breast well, constantly throws it, tries to draw his legs to his stomach and cries loudly, it can be assumed that he is worried about intestinal colic. In this case, parents should be patient and know how to alleviate this condition.
Experts advise putting a warm diaper on the baby's stomach, massaging the navel area, and giving special anti-colic drugs. This will improve the functioning of the still imperfect digestive system, and at about 4 months the unpleasant symptoms will go away on their own.
It also happens that the baby begins to suck milk, but then refuses the breast with tears. Probably, poor appetite in infants and a painful condition are caused by dysbiosis, caused by the intake of antibacterial drugs by the mother.
Only a doctor can confirm the presence of this condition after a special examination. Parents, on the other hand, may suspect dysbiosis for signs such as an unpleasant odor of feces, a green color of feces and the presence of mucus.
A child at 3 months or at 11 months can refuse breast milk due to malaise. A common problem for babies in the first year of life is thrush. It is recognized simply - by white spots on the baby's tongue, gums and palate.
Oral candidiasis occurs in infants the following reasons:
If a newborn eats little due to thrush, it is better to seek help from a doctor who will tell you what drugs or folk remedies can be used in a particular case. The easiest way is to treat the oral cavity with soda or saline solution.
The mother needs to treat her breasts with the same remedy to prevent relapses. In addition, you need to take care in the future about the cleanliness of toys and feeding devices, as well as strengthen children's immunity, especially if the baby was born prematurely.
If a baby, say, does not eat well at 11 months, breathes heavily during feeding, sniffs, throws breasts and cries, mucous accumulations interfere with normal breathing. To alleviate the condition, you need to very carefully clean out the nasal passages with cotton swabs or flagella.
Another reason why a newborn does not eat well is inflammation and pain in the ears. The child would like to eat, but sucking leads to unpleasant sensations, so he can refuse to breast. In this case, you need to contact a pediatric doctor for treatment.
If a child is 2 months or older does not want to eat due to sore ears, the mother can try to express breast milk and give it to the baby with a teaspoon. This way of getting food for the baby is less painful than breastfeeding.
Using the bottle
If your baby is not eating enough breast milk, you need to think about how often you use feeding containers and pacifiers. It was noted that babies suck formula from a bottle and mother's breast in completely different ways, using different amounts of muscles.
This happens because the liquid flows freely from the container, so that the child does not make efforts to extract it. But breast milk must be obtained. If this is the problem, then the mother needs to re-teach the baby to breastfeed.
Another reason why babies do not eat well may be their sensitivity to changes in weather conditions. A sharp jump in atmospheric pressure can provoke a headache, loss of appetite and other negative symptoms in a baby.
If these signs are overly pronounced, you should consult a pediatrician and neurologist. Probably the source of the problem lies in the high. Then you will need to take certain medications.
Curiosity
Usually he is only interested in feeding and sleeping, but he reacts weakly to external stimuli. Another thing is a 6-month-old child, who is more active, curious and willing to learn about the world around him.
While eating, the baby can be distracted by any irritant: loud noise, bright or new toy, a pet, or a person entering. Switching children's attention to feeding is not easy, which is why you should create the most relaxed environment before a meal.
In addition, poor appetite in a tiny newborn may be due to a bad mood. If a crying baby is not approached immediately after the first tears, he begins to cry even more. Therefore, when brought to the breast, he simply cannot capture the nipple due to overexcitation.
In this case, the primary task is to calm the baby by any available means. You can stroke it, kiss it, offer a pacifier, shake it a little, and only then offer the breast again. Usually, a calmed infant quickly begins a meal.
There are often cases when a child does not eat a lot due to individual characteristics. Such babies are also called "little ones". If the doctor notes that the baby is active and cheerful, develops according to age norms, why bother?
Above were presented the main reasons why the child does not eat well. If the mother carefully monitors children's reactions, she will be able to understand the baby's condition and normalize his appetite. But in case of unpleasant symptoms, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Why does the child eat formula poorly?
This question is placed in a separate section, although some aspects concerning the nutrition of artificial people coincide with the problems of breastfed children. And yet, artificial babies have their own reasons for not eating.
The main problem is choosing the right mixture. It is not very easy to choose a breast milk substitute that would suit the child's taste and at the same time do not harm children's digestion. So, for newborns, a mixture is adapted, specially developed for the smallest.
The fifth month of life is already a completely different age period, therefore, nutrition must also change. After all, the baby has grown, which means that his needs for caloric intake of food have also grown. In addition, at this time, the first complementary food for artificial people is usually introduced.
In addition to the incorrectly selected mixture, there are other reasons why a child at 3 months old does not eat well:
- uncomfortable nipple. Even small children already have their own preferences. Some people like thicker latex tips, while others prefer silicone nipples. Parents should purchase several devices at once so that the child can choose the best one;
- a sharp transition to a milk substitute. If the baby is used to eating exclusively with mother's milk, switching to artificial nutrition can lead to negativity or temporary rejection of the formula. In this case, gradual accustoming to a different diet is important;
- the nutritional value of the mixture. Milk replacer is more nutritious and will take longer to be absorbed by the body. Consequently, an artificial child will feel hunger not after 2.5 hours, but, roughly speaking, after 4 hours. This aspect should also be taken into account so as not to overfeed the baby.
Therefore, when feeding a baby with a milk replacer, it is important to choose the right formula, silicone or latex bottle caps, and to optimize the feeding regimen. In this case, children's appetite should soon return to normal.
A child is born with an instinctive-reflexive type of behavior. That is, all his actions are subject to certain instincts, which include the sucking reflex. The kid still does not know how to overeat, so normally he eats as much as necessary. If the mother thinks that the child is not eating well, you need to check whether he is gaining weight.
Experts have developed special tables, which stipulate how many grams a child should add every 7 days, every 30 days and every 12 months. Reconciliation with the standards allows parents to understand how well the food is organized, whether there is enough milk for the baby or needs to be fed.
After birth, the baby's body weight decreases within 7 days. However, you should not worry, since this is a completely natural process. Meconium (newborn feces) comes out of the child's body, besides, the child is in a stressful state. After a week, the weight will start to increase.
Consider the average weight gain over the first 12 months:
Less weight gain does not mean that the child is having any problems. Such indicators are very conditional, since everything depends on the characteristics of the infant himself.
As already noted, poor appetite does not always mean soreness or pathology. In any case, an experienced doctor can dispel all concerns.
Correcting the situation
The child does not eat well, what should I do? Many mothers turn to specialists with this question. We have already talked about some ways of solving the problem, it's time to talk about more specific and particular cases.
Feeding frequency
The question of why a baby is constantly breastfeeding is not entirely correct when it comes to a newborn baby. Very young children eat very often - at least every 2 to 2.5 hours. This feature must be "used".
If the baby does not want to eat right now, then, perhaps, at the next feeding he will want to try milk or mixture. The number of meals should be temporarily increased in order to catch the moment when the child's appetite will be optimal.
Duration of food intake
If before you calculated the time during which the baby was near the breast, now this practice should be abandoned. Try to increase the duration of feedings, have the baby suckle at the rate that is typical for him today.
Offer the baby one breast first and apply to the other only after emptying. Back milk is especially nutritious - it is fatter and more nutritious. With a sharp change in breast, the baby will not receive the required amount of calories, having consumed only liquid front milk.
If the child does not want to eat during the day, or at this time his appetite is not very good, try applying it to the breast at night. Put the baby in your bed so that both you and the baby come to the time of feeding in the most relaxed state.
It is curious that the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production, is more actively secreted at night, so that such feedings can be considered more productive. Perhaps the child will eat more food at night.
Refusal from wrapping
If the newborn is not eating, try not wrapping him up when feeding. On the contrary, skin-to-skin contact with the mother's skin will allow him to activate. This method is especially suitable for sleepy and "inhibited" babies.
Does the baby passively behave near the chest? Take off his undershirts (you can just cover the back with a blanket), throw off the upper part of your clothes and thereby create close bodily interaction.
Sling application
As you know, the appetite grows at the sight or smell of your favorite dish. The same is the case with newborn babies. If they are constantly near the mother's breast, they will want to eat more often.
Try carrying your baby in a so-called sling - a cloth bandage that will allow you to take your baby with you almost everywhere and at the same time free your hands. In addition, the constant movement of the mother will not allow the baby to fall asleep during feeding.
Mom's rest
Another useful tip, which, unfortunately, is not always easy to implement, relates to maternal rest. However, this recommendation does indeed improve the quality of lactation. So try to get more rest yourself.
Try to devote more time to yourself: increase the duration of walks, try to sleep during the day, take every opportunity to get some rest. Of course, for this you need to enlist the support of family and friends.
The advantages of such an attitude are obvious: if the mother gets a good sleep and rests, then the amount of stress hormones that slow down the release of milk will decrease. As a result, lactation is improved and some feeding problems disappear.
A few words in conclusion
Thus, a reduced appetite in an infant can be due to a number of physiological or psychological reasons.
Why does the baby eat poorly?
A baby's poor appetite always causes a lot of anxiety among young parents. First of all, the suspicion falls on the disease. In this case, it is necessary to measure the temperature and assess the general condition of the baby, its activity. Sometimes it is difficult for a child to suck milk due to the development of inflammatory processes (otitis media and others). If, in addition to the lack of desire to eat, the baby is still worried about something, you need to seek medical help.
The reason for the refusal of food for a newborn may be the unfinished process of adaptation of the nasal mucous membranes to the air. Increasing the humidity in the room or instilling a few drops of breast milk in each nostril will help.
Another unpleasant factor that causes poor appetite can be thrush or stomatitis. It is easy to diagnose by a white coating on the tongue and mucous membranes of the mouth. It is not recommended to prescribe treatment on your own.
Almost every parent is familiar with newborn colic. Up to three months of age, this unpleasant symptom is observed in almost every baby. The child bends his legs, blushes and is capricious. Naturally, in such a situation, he does not want to eat at all.
Abrupt abandonment of the breast often occurs due to changes in the properties of milk or its lack. It takes on a different taste after the mother eats a large amount of spicy, salty or sour. Certain medications and general nervousness can also affect the composition of breast milk. Repeated pregnancy gives the liquid a bitter taste, not every baby will like it. Smoking or alcohol changes the taste of milk especially dramatically, and for the worse.
Swelling and redness of the gums indicate imminent teething. This process creates stress for the whole body, it is not surprising that the baby does not want to eat.
Another reason for a child's refusal to eat is the wrong daily routine. It is necessary to provide sufficient time for walks in the fresh clean air, sleep and active wakefulness. In addition, each mother has her own idea of the required amount of food, it is possible that the child has enough eaten portion or he is not yet hungry.
In some cases, the baby is simply uncomfortable to eat. Incorrect feeding posture, structural features of the nipple, cracked nipples, unhealthy climate, clogged nasal passages, sores in the mouth - all this can lead to poor appetite.
The baby does not eat well, what should I do?
First of all, you should determine the reason for the low desire to eat. Further, they start from the root cause.
If the baby eats little, but is mobile and in a good mood, it means that he has enough nutrients. Adequate weight gain in accordance with age will confirm good health. There is no need to force-feed the child, he will eat as much as he needs. You can increase the intervals between meals within a reasonable range.
Sometimes breastfeeding is due to the introduction of complementary foods from a bottle. It is known that it is easier to suck from the nipple than from the breast, so you should not be surprised when your baby chooses an artificial food source.
Poor appetite caused by illness requires medical attention. Children's diseases are especially rapid, so you can't put off a visit to a pediatrician for a long time.
Diseases associated with pain in the oral cavity must be treated urgently. During therapy, the affected areas of the mucous membrane are recommended to be anesthetized. This advice applies to teething as well.
Dill water helps with colic. Belly massage, mother's warmth and a comfortable feeding posture have a beneficial effect. Against severe colic, the doctor prescribes the safest medicines.
In general, a nursing woman needs to establish proper nutrition and daily regimen. Getting rid of bad habits will give the milk its natural taste and texture.
The baby does not eat the mixture well
The baby does not eat the mixture well. There are a number of explanations for this circumstance.
The formula is more nutritious than breast milk and takes longer to digest. Therefore, a feeling of hunger sets in a little later. It is recommended to adhere to intervals of 3-4 hours between feedings.
The baby is still very small, but still a man, and he has his own taste preferences. He may not be happy with the taste of the mixture. The solution to the problem is quite simple - to find among the many similar options the one that the baby will like. The main thing is not to try everything, the frequent change of the mixture causes indigestion and allergies.
According to the norms, the temperature of artificial food must be identical to the temperature of the human body. But the baby may have their own ideas about this parameter. Some newborns are much more likely to drink a slightly hotter or colder mixture. Naturally, temperature fluctuations should be kept within reasonable limits.
Painful teething is often accompanied by loss of appetite. This period should be waited out, immediately after the appearance of the teeth, everything will be fine. You can numb the eruption area with a specialized gel.
The baby does not want to suck on the formula from the wrong nipple. The size of the hole in the nipple should be chosen based on the age of the baby and his physical data. It happens that the child prefers only one type of nipple. For example, he likes soft rubber models. In addition, the baby may refuse to drink the formula from the new nipple, it will always be harder and more unusual than the old breast substitute.
The exact dosage of the mixture is indicated on the package. Failure to do so will cause indigestion and increased gas production. The child does not drink the formula due to abdominal pain.
Too thick food is difficult to suck out of the bottle; this situation occurs when the concentration of dry powder in the water is too high. As a result of the high ingestion of protein into the body, digestion is disturbed, diarrhea and flatulence develop.
The baby will not eat if he has a severe sore throat or sore ear. Eliminating the root cause normalizes appetite.
The baby does not eat complementary foods well for the same reasons as the formula.
Such a small person will not eat complementary foods if the previous portion of food has not yet been digested.
It happens that the baby prefers some complementary foods to others. You should not insist, you can offer a new product a little later. The complementary foods may be too thick or not fresh.
A food that is too hot or too cold is unlikely to generate a strong urge to eat it.
It is not recommended to feed the baby with a metal spoon. Its coolness and flavor spoil the overall impression of the amazingly tasty complementary foods. Maybe the spoon is not suitable for the size and the child needs to open his mouth very wide, or, conversely, the portions are not large enough.
Inflammation of the ear and throat causes pain when swallowing. The kid is trying his best to avoid unpleasant sensations.
Teething throws the body out of balance, including appetite.
If there are concomitant symptoms that signal a serious illness, medical attention is required immediately.
A healthy baby eats well and gains weight. He is active, sleeps well and cries little. If the baby does not eat well, you need to understand the reasons.
If the child does not ask for food or refuses to eat, then the parents immediately question why this is happening. The most common reasons why a baby does not eat well are as follows.
If the problem arose during breastfeeding, then perhaps the reason is that there is little milk or, conversely, a lot. If the mother has little milk, then the baby refuses to breast and does not ask for her. In this case, you need to introduce complementary foods. If there is a lot of milk, then it can enter the baby's mouth with a strong pressure. He will begin to choke, and this circumstance will alienate him and reduce his appetite.
If the child stops eating at night, it is possible that he simply does not want to eat. Moreover, the timing of when this happens is influenced by the type of feeding. How many months do babies stop eating at night? Children who eat the mixture at night may not eat from 3-4 months. With breastfeeding, the baby can hang on the chest all night.
If the baby eats only breast milk a year and day and night, you need to begin to wean him from this. In this case, you can try to follow several recommendations.
- Every day he needs to give more food, he should drink such an amount of milk, which is equal to the daily norm. There should be a hearty dinner before bed.
- You need to communicate more, play and pick up the child in the daytime.
- The baby goes to bed earlier than the parents a year, and before going to bed, you will need to wake him up to feed him. In this case, he will sleep longer at night and will wake up at most once.
- It is necessary at the same time to wean the child from joint rest at night. It is better if the baby sleeps in another room.
You can start weaning at night from 6 months. In a year, the child will no longer ask for anything in a dream.
How many times a day does the baby eat? In the first months, a breastfed baby should eat up to 12 times a day at intervals of 2 hours. Moreover, he can eat only in a dream. How long should one feeding act last? The time spent at the breast can be 15-40 minutes. But you should not increase it, as the child falls asleep and begins to simply play with his chest in a dream.
How many grams of breast milk should a newborn eat? In the early days when colostrum is produced, one teaspoon is enough, and nothing else is needed to offer the child. Gradually, every day the amount of milk will increase by one teaspoon. By the fourth day, the baby should drink 30 ml of breast milk. On the fifth day, the amount of milk required for the baby is increased to 70 ml.
If a child eats a year only in sleep, it means that during wakefulness there are many distractions (sound, light, the presence of other people). A child can eat only in a dream a year simply due to the fact that such a regime has been established.
Poor appetite with artificial feeding
If a baby who is fed with mixtures refuses to eat, then there may be several explanations for this.
- The formula is more nutritious than milk and takes longer to be digested by the baby's body. The feeling of hunger occurs at a greater interval. How long does it take to give the mixture? It is not necessary to give the formula earlier than 4 hours after the last feeding.
- Perhaps not satisfied with the taste of the mixture. You can try another brand of mix. The main thing is to make the right choice. Carefully read the composition, take into account the age of the child.
- Incorrectly fitted nipple. The size of the hole in it should correspond to the age and developmental characteristics of the baby. If the child is sick, was born prematurely, then a non-rigid nipple with a large opening should be chosen.
- Refusal to eat may be due to abdominal pain.
- Teething, diseases of the oral cavity, infections also lead to the fact that the child does not eat anything except milk or formula.
If the child eats only the mixture, then you cannot overfeed him. In this case, it is better to underfeed. To correctly calculate how many grams of the mixture you need to dilute, the instructions and recommendations of the doctor will help. You can calculate yourself how much mixture you need to make in the first week of life. To do this, the number of days from birth is multiplied by 10. For example, at 5 days he should drink 50 ml.
The day needs to be planned so that the baby gets the mixture after 3-4 hours. It is very important how long it takes to give the mixture at night. At night, the interval is extended to 5 hours. The mixture is absorbed and digested by the stomach more difficult and slower than breast milk.
Problems with new products
Often mothers are faced with a problem when the baby refuses to eat complementary foods. Why it happens?
- Perhaps the previous portion of food has not yet been digested, and the baby is not hungry.
- The baby may not like complementary foods, you should not insist on eating the dish.
- The dish is too hot or cold.
- You should choose the right spoon for the first feeding. It shouldn't be too big and metallic.
- Inflammation of the nasopharynx or ear also causes refusal to eat.
It happens that a child is one year old, and he does not eat anything except breast milk. Breast milk fully fulfills its functions only up to 6 months, after which complementary foods need to be introduced. By this time, the digestive organs begin to work quite well, and the child shows interest in new products. This interest can be easily discouraged by starting complementary foods with the wrong foods or foods that your baby doesn’t like. Large portions and force feeding can also alienate the baby.
If the baby does not ask for anything other than breast milk in a year, then you need to take actions:
- Play more with the baby, distract from the need for breast. How much milk does a baby need per year? After the child turns one year old, 500 ml of milk per day is enough for him. If he gets more, he will not want to eat complementary foods.
- Remove all sweets from the menu.
- Choose a dish that your baby will like.
What to do to fix the problem
After the reason is established that the baby does not eat well or completely refuses to eat, a further plan of action will be outlined.
If the baby does not want to eat or eats only in a dream, while being active, playing, communicating, it means that he has enough nutrients. You can try increasing the time interval between feedings.
Perhaps a complementary food has been introduced, which is offered to the baby from a bottle. Eating from a bottle is much easier than sucking on your mother's breast. Any complementary food is given from a spoon, all bottles and pacifiers are removed.
Any disease requires a doctor's consultation. Therefore, if the baby refuses to eat due to illness, appropriate treatment should be started. Stomatitis, cough, otitis media, and other illnesses can lead to loss of appetite and other complications.
During the period of teething, you should use special teethers, gels. You can massage the gums. There is no need to offer new complementary foods during this period.
If colic periodically begins to bother and this leads to weight loss, you need to give the child medicine, do gymnastics and massage. It helps to lay the baby on the tummy before each feeding.
A nursing mother needs to establish a daily routine and adjust her nutrition. You can not eat too fatty, spicy, salty foods. It is necessary to refuse products containing dyes, stabilizers and flavor enhancers.
