Question
A parent describes their baby’s daily feeding pattern, noting that the baby eats four times a day, with each feeding consisting of 150 milliliters, and then has one more feeding at night. During the day, the baby only consumes egg yolks and a small amount of rice porridge, with no other food. The baby’s feeding speed is slow when changing diapers, sometimes taking over 20 minutes, and even longer at times. The parent is worried whether this situation is caused by certain factors, such as zinc deficiency, as online information indicates that zinc deficiency can affect appetite. Past treatment and outcomes: The parent mentioned that during a health check-up, they were informed that the baby was deficient in calcium, and they are currently supplementing with calcium, and a new calcium tablet has been prescribed. Initially, one tablet per day was recommended. The baby is now five months old, and the parent inquires about how to adjust the medication dosage.
Answer
Experts suggest that the baby’s dislike for using pacifiers or the taste of formula milk may be the reason for the slow eating speed. Additionally, zinc deficiency may also lead to decreased appetite and dull taste sensation. While supplementing with zinc, parents should look for suitable pacifiers for the baby, switch to a new brand of formula milk, and pay attention to the posture when changing diapers. For a five-month-old baby, one tablet of the new calcium tablet per day is sufficient. Experts recommend creating a darker environment during daily care when changing diapers to avoid noise interference. Moreover, parents can prepare various delicious broths such as beef bone soup, chicken soup, or fish soup without salt, portion them into small servings and refrigerate them for use in making egg custards or noodles to increase the baby’s interest in food.