Question
Starting from three months old, the baby’s milk intake has been low, with a maximum of only 500 milliliters per day. Sometimes, the baby goes without milk for as long as eight hours, crying and fussing during feeding. The baby has seen a doctor and been prescribed digestive medicine, but the effect has been not obvious (not significant). Defecation is normal, and the baby is in good spirits, but there is slow weight gain, with almost no increase in weight over the past two months. What could be the reason for the baby not drinking milk? Are there any methods that can help her regain normal milk intake and maintain healthy weight gain?
Answer
The lack of weight gain in children can be caused by various factors, including illness, improper feeding, or inappropriate introduction of complementary foods. Failing to introduce complementary foods in a timely or insufficient quantity may lead to difficulties in feeding and insufficient nutrient intake, thereby affecting weight gain. Too much or too many types of complementary foods introduced may also make the child’s gastrointestinal tract difficult to adapt to, leading to indigestion and subsequently affecting weight gain. In this situation, it is recommended to follow the principle of gradual introduction when adding complementary foods to ensure that the child can normally absorb nutrients.