What Causes Loss Of Appetite In Babies And Treatment

Seeing your little one grow is blissful for mother but honestly, the process of making them grow is tiresome. Especially the part where we need to make them eat is one big tough task. If the baby’s digestive tract is good then it means the baby’s whole health is in sync. But the track itself needs some time to develop, so this process becomes really tedious for both mother and kid to handle. The appetite of the kid will vary from day to day someday the appetite would be low someday it would be high. In this variation, if the loss of appetite in babies stays for a long time then it can be a point of concern.

Causes Of Loss Of Appetite In Babies

Loss of appetite in babies can be due to any reason. The cause can be as simple as the change of a baby’s mood or any pathological reason. Here are some common causes :

1. Teething:

Teething even causes inflamed gums, leading to sensitive teeth. Even the slightest touch can cause pain. If the baby refuses to eat because of the pain, it may affect her health. Make sure she drinks lots of fluids and try tempting her with some treats

Temporary loss of appetite in babies is common for teething babies, and usually gets resolved in two weeks. Your baby may eat less due to the pain caused by the teeth tearing through the gums. The discomfort increases when they eat food or feed from a bottle.

2. Sore Throat

A sore throat caused by a viral infection can also be one of the reasons for loss of appetite in your baby. It can cause difficulty while swallowing. If a sore throat accompanies a fever and swollen glands there can be also ear block and watering of eyes and in these cases.
You should seek medical assistance to treat the infection first, in babies these infections need to be taken seriously as their immunity is very low. After the viral episode is treated then you will automatically see a change in their appetite.

3. Weather effects

Extreme summer or winters both are not good for our baby’s health. Winter obviously make your kid prone to fever and cold. In summer usually, there is low appetite and weather can have affection on your kid’s appetite.
So, worry not mother you can use these tips: You can do sponging to your kid and make him wear light color clothes. Keep him or her hydrated throughout the day.
This will help you to keep your baby’s appetite good.

4. Food which suits your baby

Some foods take a longer time to digest and therefore your baby’s stomach can be full in few morsels, and your baby will not eat even after a sometimes also. If you are feeding them with whole-grain food item then it might be a reason for their loss of appetite.

5. Constipation

If your baby suffers from constipation where bowel movements become difficult, she may not be hungry. You should ensure that she has proper bowel movements.

6. Anemia

Your baby can have low iron content or is anemic and may suffer from loss of appetite. Generally, babies with anemia will be weak and tired most of the times. It is good to take her to a pediatrician as it can affect her development. Also, offer foods which are rich in iron content.

7. Introducing Solid Foods:

Till now your baby is only on milk and if you suddenly introduce solid foods, her body would take time to adjust. The process of digestion would take a longer time, and she may eat lesser.

8. Worm Infestation:

Another common cause of low appetite is worm infestation. Your little one may be at greater risk of intestinal parasites and worms. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea and appetite loss. It is very important to seek immediate medical help if your child is affected by worms.

9. Poor Health:

If your baby is suffering from ill health, she will be reluctant to take food and can cause low appetite. If she has a fever, cold, cough or stomach upset, she loses appetite. She can gain that back after recovering from the illness.

10. Food Intolerance:

Intolerance to some foods such as eggs, milk, soy, and peanuts can cause symptoms like itching, bloating, diarrhea and mainly low appetite. You should identify the foods your baby is allergic to and thus, avoid them.

11. Vaccination:

Some vaccinations would cause the temperature to rise in babies. Temperature along with the pain of the prick can make your baby less hungry.

How will you understand that there is a loss of appetite in babies?

Irritation
Frequent vomiting
Cough
Drooling
Rejects eating foods which they like.

As a mother, you have to be more observant in knowing these symptoms to get your answers regarding the appetite problem.

How to treat dietary habits?

When your child is consuming lesser than usual, notice her habits carefully. Give Age-appropriate foods to your baby.
Give her healthy diet and also, schedule proper gap as it helps greatly in keeping appetite on track.

Recommend Read: Baby Hiccups – Causes and How to Stop Them

Foods items that Increase Appetite in Babies:

1. Increase Zinc Levels:

Zinc helps to produce hydrochloric acid which helps proper digestion. Low amounts of zinc in your baby’s body system can cause low appetite. You can improve this appetite with some zinc loaded food items. Let us discuss some foods that can have a very good effect on your baby’s appetite

2. Asafoetida:

Add a pinch to your baby’s food or buttermilk, or any vegetable curry. It helps to improve your baby’s appetite and can also reduce your baby’s irritability with gas colic in the abdomen.

3. Cinnamon:

It contains hydroxy chalcone, which can boost appetite. You can give this to your baby when she is around seven to eight months. Add cinnamon powder to any mash, porridge or smoothies, dessert, bread, and cakes.

4. Ajwain:

Ajwain water can be given to six to eight months of babies. Soak a few seeds in water and leave for a few hours. For those who have started eating solid foods, you can mix ajwain seeds in their food.

5. Ginger:

Ginger is another effective appetite booster. Crush some and add the juice with some salt and pepper to buttermilk and give it to your baby.

6. Peanuts:

Peanuts contain zinc, which helps in proper digestion and increases appetite. But some babies can be prone to peanut allergy.

You should use them with caution. You can give a few roasted peanuts or add peanut powder in milkshakes, try giving in a little amount to see the effects.

Whenever we are discussing the food items or anything related to our little toddlers it is very important to consult your pediatrician who will give you good advice about how to progress further.
Examine the food habits of your baby carefully for a few days
Medical symptoms: If appetite loss accompanies a rash, fever or change in stool color, consult immediately with a physician.
If you note that your baby’s appetite is low, and her weight is reducing.

But the first mother is the best doctor for their kids and she knows how to handle the little one best so she needs to be always observant of her babies habits. Rest everything can be taken care of.