Lack of appetite in an infant: causes, how to deal with it?

A baby's lack of appetite in the first six months of life often worries parents. What are the symptoms of lack of appetite during teething? What may be the cause of lack of appetite in a 2-month-old baby? Why does a 3-month-old or 4-month-old baby not want to eat, even though he has had no problems with appetite so far?

In this article, we will look at the most common causes of lack of appetite in a baby in the first months of life.

Lack of appetite in an infant and infections

Is the child grumpy and irritable, refuses to eat, often wakes up at night? After a few or a dozen or so hours, it also appears increased body temperature, alternatively other symptoms, including: runny nose and cough, skin rash, eruptions in the mouth, diarrhea and/or vomiting?

Lack of appetite in an infant is very often related to something viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection. It may be ordinary cold, but also, among others:

• inflammation of the oral cavity (e.g. thrush);
• viral diarrhea;
• urinary tract infection;
• or one of the infectious diseases of childhood.

The diagnosis is made by the doctor on the basis of examine the child and interview collected from parents. 

If the lack of appetite in a 2-month-old baby (younger or older) lasts longer than 3 days and/or is accompanied by any disturbing symptoms, parents should always take the baby to a pediatrician. The doctor will carefully examine the child and determine whether the reason why a 2-month-old or 3-month-old baby does not want to eat is an infection. If necessary, the pediatrician will order additional tests.

Lack of appetite during teething: How to bring relief to your baby?

The first milk teeth usually appear in children between 4 and 7 months of age, but this is a very individual matter. Lack of appetite during teething is a common phenomenon because swollen, bloodshot gums become extremely sensitive and painful, which makes the baby grumpy and temporarily loses the desire to eat.

Lack of appetite during teething usually occurs in a child along with increased salivation and the desire to put everything in the mouth. Lack of appetite during teething usually disappears after a maximum of 3-4 days, when the tooth/teeth break through the gums.

Lack of appetite during teething can be slightly alleviated, providing the child with relief from troublesome ailments. A gentle massage of the gums works well, e.g. using clean gauze moistened with chamomile infusion and wrapped around the parent's finger. When a 4-month-old baby does not want to eat, silicone, wooden or hydrogel teethers also provide relief from teething pain (the latter can be cooled in the refrigerator for several minutes before being given to the child).

If parents have doubts whether the lack of appetite occurs during teething or is related to some infection, they should always consult a pediatrician.

Lack of appetite in a 2-month-old baby at abdominal discomfort 

It is worth seeing a doctor when a 2-month-old, 3-month-old or 4-month-old baby does not want to eat and Additionally, parents observe in their baby:

• persistent bloating and gas, problems with a tight and hard belly;
• abnormal number and consistency of stools (e.g. stools are hard and compact, occur once every few to a dozen or so days and their excretion is accompanied by discomfort);
• abnormal appearance of stools, including: admixture of blood, pus, large amounts of mucus;
• frequent regurgitation, vomiting;
• too little weight gain of the child;
• lethargy, apathy or irritability, trouble sleeping.

Lack of appetite in a 2-month-old baby (older or younger), accompanied by several of the above-mentioned symptoms, should always prompt parents to visit a pediatrician who, if necessary, will refer the baby for additional tests, or to another specialist, e.g. a gastroenterologist or allergist.

3-month-old baby does not want to eat: could this be a developmental leap?

A temporary lack of appetite in a 2-month-old baby may be related to: the so-called development leap. The baby is more irritable and restless at the breast, and after a few days it shows some new psychomotor skills.

Developmental leaps may occur at different times and have a different course in each child. If a 3-month-old or 4-month-old baby does not want to eat for several days and the parents are not sure whether it is a developmental leap or maybe an infection, they should go to a pediatrician.

Anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency as possible causes A 4-month-old baby does not want to eatć

When a 4-month-old baby won't eat, there may be a reason why iron deficiency anemia. In full-term infants, anemia is relatively rarely diagnosed before the age of 4 months, but lack of appetite in a 2-month-old or 3-month-old baby may also be associated with anemia if, among others: the toddler was born prematurely. Appetite disorders in infants are also observed with vitamin B12 deficiency.

When a 3-month-old or 4-month-old baby does not want to eat, it is worth observing whether the baby has any other symptoms the following symptoms:

• pale skin;
• small weight gain;
• apathy and lethargy or irritability.

In the article we discussed only some of the possible causes of lack of appetite in a baby. If a 4-month-old or 3-month-old child does not want to eat for several days and/or presents any disturbing symptoms, parents should always consult a doctor.