Babies who have difficulty eating often make parents confused and worried. This problem can be caused by many things, ranging from harmless, for example because babies are picky eaters, to diseases that require medical attention.
Every parent may have faced a situation when their baby was struggling to eat. When your little one has difficulty eating, first of all, you need to know what the possible causes are. After that is known, then the problem of difficulty eating in your baby can be handled properly.
Causes of Baby's Difficulty Eating and How to Overcome It
Here are some of the causes of baby's difficulty eating and how to overcome them:
1. Phase picky eating (picking food)
This is one of the most common causes of difficulty eating babies. While in phase picky eatingThe little one may feel unfamiliar with the taste or texture of the type of food that has just been introduced so that he refuses to be fed.
In addition, it can also become more difficult to eat when they feel bored to eat certain foods or just aren't ready to be given solid foods.
To overcome this, try giving your little one food that is similar to the food he usually likes.
For example, if your little one likes carrot porridge, try introducing sweet potato or pumpkin porridge. The appearance of colors and textures that are similar to the food he likes can help him be more enthusiastic about getting acquainted with the new food.
When introducing a new food baby, give it in small portions first. If your little one refuses, don't force it, okay? Reintroduce the new food at a later time. Sometimes, babies need to try some food many times before liking it.
2. Sstress
Not only adults, babies can also experience stress. The causes of stress for babies can vary, ranging from feeling bored or lonely, meeting strangers, clothes that are too tight, too hot or cold, or when in an environment that is too noisy.
When under stress, your baby may have trouble eating, have trouble sleeping, cry a lot or be more fussy, restless, and suck on their thumb frequently.
If this happens to your little one, it's important that you try to be calm and make your little one feel comfortable, for example by spending more time with him, giving him a hug or massage, singing a song, or reading a story.
3. Thrush
Canker sores can also be the cause of baby's difficulty eating. Although harmless, this condition can be painful, especially when your baby is eating, drinking, or nursing. Thrush in babies can occur due to many things, such as injury or sores in the mouth, allergies, vitamin deficiency, or infection.
Canker sores usually go away on their own within a few days. However, to relieve this complaint in your little one, you can give him cold food or drinks, such as ice cream, fresh fruit slices, or fresh fruit juice.
In addition, you can also apply a solution made of a mixture of warm water and salt or baking soda on the thrush with a soft cotton swab.
4. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is one of the health problems that are often experienced by infants. When having diarrhea, the baby will defecate more often with a watery stool texture or loose stools. In addition, babies with diarrhea may also experience fever, vomiting, weakness, difficulty eating, or not wanting to breastfeed.
If this condition occurs in your little one, the mother must meet her body's fluid needs by giving her breast milk or formula and water more often to prevent dehydration.
5. Stomach acid disease (GERD)
This condition occurs when the contents of the baby's stomach back up into the esophagus, causing the baby to vomit frequently.
GERD in infants is different from regular vomiting or spitting up because it can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as coughing, difficulty eating and drinking, stomach pain, or crying during or after breastfeeding.
When your little one has GERD, give him food and drink little by little. When finished, do not lie down immediately, but keep the body upright for 30 minutes first. Don't forget to give him looser clothes and diapers, so your little one feels comfortable.
If GERD persists, you need to take your little one to the doctor for treatment.
6. Ear infection
Ear infections or acute otitis media can also make it difficult for babies to eat or not want to suckle because of pain when chewing and swallowing.
This condition can also make your little one experience other symptoms, such as smelly ears and discharge, fever, frequent crying, likes to touch or tug at the ears, and difficulty sleeping.
If your little one has an ear infection, take him to the doctor to be examined and treated appropriately.
In addition to the six causes above, there are also other conditions or diseases that can make it difficult for babies to eat, such as swallowing disorders, cleft lip, facial and neck muscle disorders, congenital heart disease, to respiratory disorders, such as asthma and pneumonia.
If your baby's difficulty eating occurs only occasionally, the cause is most likely harmless.
However, if your baby has difficulty eating for a long time, especially if he is underweight, or if he seems very weak, has difficulty swallowing, or has growth and development disorders, you should immediately consult a doctor.
