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Tips To Boost Your Baby's Appetite

Team AckoDec 3, 2024

In the early days, a new mother’s main concern is often whether her baby is feeding enough. While most issues related to the baby are easy to spot, the amount of breast milk consumed can be difficult to gauge. Since breastfeeding doesn’t provide a clear measure, many mothers are unsure if they’re meeting their baby’s nutritional needs.

Contents

Why is My Baby's Appetite Low?
How To Boost Your Baby’s Appetite?
The Need For Correct Diet For Newborn Development
Loss of Appetite in Toddlers
Baby Refuses To Eat: Some Plausible Causes
Wrapping Up
Frequently Asked Questions

Relax, mom!! We are here now to discuss your baby’s appetite, the reasons for its lack, and ways to boost it.

Mostly, newborns in the first two days may find it difficult to latch, suck, swallow, and so on. Gradually, they will learn the art of sucking and turn to be a pro in it.

Why is My Baby's Appetite Low?

Below are the causes of babies having a low appetite:

Nursing Strike: Some well-fed babies around 4 to 5 months old suddenly stop nursing for unknown reasons, which is called a breastfeeding strike. It usually lasts for a few days.
Illness: They may lose their appetite due to fever, cold, cough, ear infection, or teething.
Zinc Deficiency: According to studies, low appetite is linked to low levels of zinc in the body.
Whole Grains: Feeding whole grains can help keep babies full for longer periods.
Too Much Milk: Babies who are fed more formula milk or cow's milk may have a reduced appetite.
Constipation: If your baby is suffering from hard stools and is unable to pass them completely, they may not feel hungry.
Untimely Meals: When your baby is fed without a proper gap of 3 to 4 hours, the food may not be fully digested, causing your baby to feel full.
De-worming: Deworming can cause a temporary loss of appetite in children due to side effects of the medication, such as mild stomach discomfort or nausea. These effects are usually short-lived, and appetite typically returns once the body adjusts.

How To Boost Your Baby’s Appetite?

The following tips can help you improve your baby's appetite:

1) Flexible feeding schedule: Babies have highly developed internally regulated mechanisms for hunger and thirst. Your baby will indicate their hunger by sucking their thumb and fingers, sticking out their tongue, nuzzling against your breast, and slowly crying to express their hunger. Watch them closely and offer your breast or the bottle when they seem interested.

2) Explore the environment: Your little one may either enjoy looking at you and interacting while they feed on, or would prefer dim lights and low sounds. Find out what they prefer the most.

3) Holding positions: While breastfeeding, your baby might fight to nurse because he/she may face difficulty in latching, position, the direction of the milk stream, the shape of the nipple, etc. You can fix this by holding them in different holds, such as the cradle hold, the clutch or football hold, the cross-over hold, the reclining position, etc.

4) Play-time: Tummy time with toys is a good physical activity for your baby to enhance their appetite. When they are on the floor to crawl, encourage them by crawling with them and giving them company.

5) Zinc level:Zinc helps produce hydrochloric acid, which helps with digestion. Wheat bran, cashew nuts, and pumpkin seeds improve the body's Zinc level. Try adding these nutrients to smoothies, purees, juices, and soups.

6) Seed spices:Some seed spices, such as ajwain or carom seeds, cumin or jeera seeds, cinnamon, and coriander seeds, are wonderful for boosting your baby’s appetite.

7) Limit spitting up and reflux.

Spitting (due to regurgitation) is a common occurrence in babies. Frequent spitting up can interfere with your baby’s intake. You can reduce it by following certain simple steps, like:
Manage the reflux by feeding them slowly, little by little.
Hold them upright for half an hour after eating.
You can also make them sit in a chair.

8) Develop good eating habits: When you feed her, keep them upright, make them burp regularly, and don’t overfeed her. Avoid playing with them immediately after eating so they have time to digest.

9) Turn to new foods: If your little one refuses to taste new and unfamiliar foods, you can make it appear appetising or look like one of their favourite foods and feed her.

10) Ginger juice: Babies over 6 months old can be served a teaspoon of ginger juice (½ inches of grated ginger boiled in a cup of water) first thing in the morning to boost their appetite. For 8 months and above, you can add it to their dishes.

11) Asafoetida:Hing or Asafoetida is an anti-flatulent known to boost your baby's appetite. You can use them in baby foods like dhal soup, Khichidi, buttermilk, and pepper water (rasam).

12) Basil or tulsi: Six to seven basil or tulsi leaves boiled in a cup of water can improve babies' digestion and boost their appetite.

The Need For Correct Diet For Newborn Development

From infancy until adolescence, children are in stages of development that define these years as one of the most important ones for their healthy growth.

Therefore, considering their appropriate cognitive, motor, social, language, sensory, emotional, and intellectual development, the value of nutrition cannot be discounted.

Yes, our diets define us! For their general well-being, your child must thus be fed with the best nutrition during their developmental years.

Distinct age groups have distinct dietary needs; hence, as parents, it is wise to be mindful of their consumption based on their increasing age.

Breast milk is their only tonic for up to six months since it includes all the vitamins and nutrients their body needs for strong immunity.

Children have iron reserves at birth that last up to six months; beyond that, their bodies need iron from the outside.

After six months, they also begin on solids; hence, they must be especially exposed to vitamins A, B, C, and D, iron, magnesium, fibre, protein, healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, etc., for their good bone, blood and oxygen flow, neural, heart, organ, and mind development.

Did you know that it can take anywhere from ten to fifteen attempts before your baby is willing to try something new? It might sound surprising, but experienced mothers are well aware of this challenge! So, as you continue on your parenting journey, remember that teaching your child patience and consistency is key. You play a crucial role in encouraging healthy eating habits, so be their steady guide and support in this process.

Loss of Appetite in Toddlers

It’s common for toddlers sometimes to eat as much as an adult and barely touch their food on other days. If your child suddenly seems less interested in meals, check whether they’re snacking more often. Toddlers tend to have smaller stomachs, so while snacks like chips or granola bars can fill them up temporarily, they may not provide the lasting nutrition needed to curb hunger. Foods that are high in protein, healthy fats, and fibre are better for keeping them full. If they snack too much throughout the day, they may not feel hungry at mealtimes, so try limiting snacks to ensure they’re eating enough during meals.

Loss of appetite is usually nothing to worry about, but it can sometimes indicate illness, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. For example, if your toddler has both diarrhoea and a loss of appetite, they could be dealing with stomach flu. Similarly, vomiting with a loss of appetite typically points to gastroenteritis. Most of the time, you can manage these illnesses at home, but it's important to watch for signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or fewer wet nappies.

While it’s natural for newborns and infants to experience occasional loss of appetite, it’s important to keep track of their feeding habits. If a baby isn’t feeding regularly—every 4 to 6 hours—they can become dehydrated. If your baby seems lethargic, has weak muscles, or is inconsolably crying, it may be a medical emergency. In such cases, or if your baby isn't eating or showing other signs of illness, it’s best to consult a doctor.

Baby Refuses To Eat: Some Plausible Causes

Baby cereal on the ground and peas in your hair? While this might feel like chaos, rest assured your little one is just displaying signs of growing independence. Around 9 months of age, babies start to take charge of their feeding schedule and food choices, which can lead to a decrease in appetite.

But don’t worry—there are strategies you can use to manage a baby’s declining appetite. Let’s dive into a few common causes and solutions:

1. Picky Eating

Is your child refusing food based on its colour, or texture or simply because they don't want to try something new? Congratulations, you have a picky eater on your hands! Around 20-50% of parents report that their children are picky eaters and experience loss of appetite for various reasons. Teething, an underdeveloped digestive system, or even just being overwhelmed by new foods can cause your baby to push away the spoon or turn their head.

As long as your baby's growth and weight are progressing normally, there's typically no reason to be concerned. Picky eating is often just a phase and part of their natural development.

2. Too Much Pressure

Do you find yourself hovering over your baby at mealtimes, anxious about every bite? While it’s understandable to want to ensure they’re eating enough, babies can sense this anxiety. In fact, they may eat less if they feel pressured.

One key tip for handling a baby’s loss of appetite is to relax and give them space. It’s completely normal for babies to play with their food, drop it, or smear it around. This is how they learn about food. If you’re spoon-feeding, try to follow their cues—let them show you when they’re done or when they’re ready for more.

3. Your Baby is Exhausted

Sometimes, the reason for a lack of appetite is as simple as your baby being tired. If you’re trying to feed them just before nap time or bedtime, they may refuse to eat because they’re more interested in resting. Make sure to offer food when your baby is awake and alert, ideally after they’ve had a good rest.

4. Distractions

Toys, music, people, and screens can all become big distractions for babies at mealtime. If your little one is too busy focusing on everything around them, it can be difficult for them to concentrate on eating.

Try setting up a calm, distraction-free environment where your baby can focus on the food. This may encourage them to try new foods and enjoy mealtime without external distractions.

Wrapping Up

A baby's appetite can fluctuate due to various reasons, such as illness, teething, or even a picky eating phase. However, understanding the factors that affect your baby’s hunger cues and implementing strategies like flexible feeding schedules, introducing new foods and maintaining a calm and positive mealtime environment can help stimulate their appetite. Always remember that feeding is not just about the quantity but also about creating a nurturing experience for your baby. Patience, consistency, and careful observation are key to ensuring your little one’s nutritional needs are met during their developmental years. If concerns persist, don't hesitate to seek advice from your paediatrician to rule out any underlying health issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of FAQs about Tips To Boost Your Baby's Appetite

What can I do if my baby refuses to eat?

If your child turns away from eating, try not to panic. Babies go through phases of not wanting to eat quite often. Present small amounts of food and let them eat at their speed. Steer clear of pushing them since this can cause them to rebel against food more. Rather, surround meals with peace and happiness. To make food interesting, experiment with flavours or textures. See your paediatrician if they refuse to eat over multiple days.

How can I increase my baby's appetite naturally?

Keep mealtimes laid-back and pleasant to organically increase your baby's appetite. Present a range of vibrantly coloured dishes to make dining fun. Try timing meals consistently every day. Physical exercise can assist in boosting appetite, so make sure your child is active and has time to play. To keep kids hungry, steer clear of handing too many drinks or snacks between meals. A natural appetite is greatly enhanced by consistency and patience.

Does teething affect a baby’s appetite?

Indeed, teething can change the appetite of your infant. Soughing gums from teething makes eating painful for babies. For this period, cold foods like yoghurt or chilled purees could be simpler for them to eat. Try presenting softer dishes devoid of much chewing required. Usually, within a few days, teething pain should cause normal appetite to return. If you're concerned, get guidance from your paediatrician.

What foods are good for stimulating the appetite of babies?

Several foods have been proven to boost a baby's appetite. Gentle on the stomach and tasting sweet, fruits like applesauce and bananas are easy to consume and fill, as are warm soups, mashed potatoes, and veggies. Good fats like olive oil or avocado incorporated with food could inspire eating. Small bits of cooked veggies they can pick up can help newborns respond well to finger meals. Try these to find what interests them.

When should I be concerned about my baby’s lack of appetite?

Should your infant exhibit a lack of appetite for more than a few days, it may be necessary to see a paediatrician. Other indicators to pay attention to are weight loss, unusual weariness, or not reaching developmental benchmarks. Although babies often undergo brief phases of less eating, persistent rejection can point to an underlying problem. Medical assistance can help ensure they remain healthy if they also feel ill or have fussy behaviour.

Explore More Articles on Baby Development Tips

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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