Question
A baby who is four and a half months old has lost interest in milk powder after the introduction of complementary foods, drinking only about 500-600 milliliters of milk each day, while showing great interest in fruits. Although at this age, the baby should still primarily consume milk, we are worried about her insufficient nutrient intake. How can we get her to enjoy breastfeeding again? Additionally, I use milk to adjust the rice porridge; should this be counted as part of the total milk intake?
Answer
It could be that the baby is simply more interested in the variety of flavors offered by the new complementary foods. There’s no need to force her to drink milk. As long as the complementary foods are nutritionally balanced and properly paired, nutrient intake should not be a problem. The current milk intake of two times a day is sufficient. I suggest taking the baby for a trace element test, as zinc deficiency in babies may lead to poor appetite and frequent waking during sleep. Now is a good time to introduce more complementary foods. Consider changing the brand and flavor of the milk formula, as the baby’s taste buds are developing and may be more particular about the taste of the milk formula.