Question

A three-month-old baby has significantly reduced their milk intake for nearly a month, now consuming only half of what they used to, with the intake fluctuating between good and bad. What could be the reasons for this situation, and how can one encourage the baby to increase their milk intake?

Answer

The reduction in a baby’s milk intake could be caused by various factors, including:

  1. Deficiency in Trace Elements: Lack of zinc and B vitamins may lead to a decline in the baby’s taste function and gastrointestinal mucosal digestion.
  2. Disease Impact: Health issues such as nutritional anemia, rickets, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, hepatitis, and others can cause babies to exhibit aversion to food.
  3. Psychological Factors: Excessive stress, anxiety, fear, or a lack of affection can also affect a baby’s appetite.
  4. Other Factors: Conditions like summer heat causing summer complaint, over-excitement, or excessive activity. Understanding these possible causes of aversion to food in babies can help in making targeted adjustments, such as increasing the intake of zinc and B vitamins-rich foods.