Negosentro | Reasons Why Your Child Might Have Trouble Transitioning to Solid Foods | All young parents have faced a baby’s lack of appetite at least once. In most cases, these are harmless situations that result primarily from developmental phases and do not carry any serious consequences. However, it sometimes happens that infants do not want to eat because they are sick, and sudden weight loss may have serious consequences. How to distinguish both situations and how to react? Let’s look at the common reasons why babies may have trouble transitioning to solid foods.
Why Doesn’t the Baby Want to Eat Solid Foods?
The biggest problems with lack of appetite occur when expanding the diet. Infants may not want to eat because we often force them to do so, which causes them frustration and may also result in a much more serious problem, i.e. trauma to the very act of eating.
In the process of diet expansion, the baby may be afraid of the new consistencies or simply not like the taste of certain products. However, you shouldn’t be discouraged by the first spoonful of carrots you throw away. Instead, try to serve it to your little one over the next few days or even weeks. Babies who have previously eaten mash and even the healthiest baby food pouches may have trouble breaking down and trying solid food, but as with new flavors, it is worth trying several times.
Lack of appetite and rejection of food that your infant previously enjoyed may also be the result of teething. This is an extremely difficult time for the baby, during which the diet should change slightly, and in case of severe pain, it is worth consulting a doctor.
The baby may not be willing to eat in summer. And although many parents panic, it is worth taking a breath and realizing that we, adults, are also reluctant to eat meals in hot weather. When it’s hot, babies, just like adults, first of all, need adequate hydration. If your baby is in the process of expanding the diet, don’t forget about serving them additional water.
When to Consult a Doctor?
When facing any trouble during expanding your infant’s diet, do not panic, do not get nervous, but act rationally. Observe the baby, give them time, and react only when there is no progress in learning to eat.
A good neurologist specializing in eating difficulties will identify any possible problem and help you solve it.
When should you decide on such a visit? Here are several signs:
- The baby tries to eat solids, but regardless of their consistency and taste, it ends in vomiting. In this situation, it is worth checking the vomiting reflex (whether it is not excessive). Food allergies may also be the cause.
- The little one chokes heavily and often. Does not accept any lumps in food. Everything, despite the passage of time, must be thoroughly mixed.
- Your infant cannot take food properly from a spoon.
- Your baby cannot bite and chew properly. Foods that are harder to chew are not accepted. When eating, the child spits them out, chokes on them, and consequently does not want to eat them.
- The kid doesn’t want to pick up food with their hand and does not point the hand with food toward the mouth. The causes may lie in sensory hypersensitivities.
It is, therefore, crucial to observe your child so that you can react at the right time and, above all, not force them to do anything, because it may have the opposite effect. It is also worth checking your baby’s weight. If the loss is not drastic, there is no reason to worry. Being a baby will always involve being a picky eater from time to time.
Photo by Logan Cameron on Unsplash
