Question
Over the past two days, a one-year-old infant has stopped eating and drinking, consuming only breast milk. What could be the reason? In the past few days, there might have been excessive eating, known as “overeating.” How should this be handled? We are looking for professional advice to help the child recover quickly, and is it okay to use a hot water bottle for abdominal warmth?
Answer
The infant may be experiencing a lack of appetite due to dyspepsia. It is recommended that parents encourage the child to drink more water, adopt a diet of small meals throughout the day, and administer medications to adjust gastrointestinal function, such as probiotics. Parents who are breastfeeding should also adjust their own diet, avoiding cold, greasy, or irritating foods, and increasing dietary fiber intake. Pay attention to keeping the child’s abdomen warm at all times.