Question
A 6-month-old baby has started to dislike drinking formula, and breast milk is limited. The baby only eats during naptime and recently has a very small appetite, consuming only a few tens of milliliters of milk per day and eating only small amounts of rice porridge. The baby has previously experienced a weaning period and is currently teething, but the situation seems more severe. The baby is in good spirits, but this condition is undoubtedly affecting nutrient intake. What can be done to improve this situation?
Answer
If a 6-month-old baby suddenly stops liking formula, there can be various reasons. Firstly, if it’s due to discomfort from teething, try using a larger-holed nipple to reduce pain during feeding. Additionally, you can mix the formula with foods like oatmeal or rice flour to create a paste and feed it with a spoon. If the baby is distracted due to curiosity and cannot concentrate on eating, try to avoid noisy sounds and distractions during feeding times to help the baby focus on eating. Lastly, if the baby is going through a physiological weaning period with poor appetite and the weaning period lasts over two months, it may affect the baby’s weight and height development. In such cases, it may be necessary to consult a professional doctor for examination and advice.