Not drinking, no interest in solids.

[micheyeo]

Hi,

My baby is 8.5months. Since we dropped his last feed at 11pm 3 weeks ago, he has been drinking & eating well (he is fussy with most foods, but if we offer his accepted food, he will eat) in the day. He takes in about 800ml of milk and about 7tablespoons of solids (divided by 3 meals). The food he eats are mainly bananas, pears, rice cereal, carrots.

One week ago, he stopped. His milk intake dropped from 800ml to about 600ml. He became really fussy with solids. He would not swallow them after taking a few spoons. He would start crying. This low intake of food has resulted in his early waking at 5am. Even when I give him milk at 5am, he would take only 60-120ml (his full bottle is usually 210ml)  and start crying.  I am not even sure if its hunger that is waking him!

I have tried everything. Giving him more time in between feeds, letting him eat solids before milk, letting him drink milk before solids, giving more time between solids and milk, giving him solids immediately after milk. I have tried it all to make him drink and eat more.

During the day, he is sometimes grumpy / whiny. Sometimes he is happy. He still spits out after some meals - sometimes up to one hour after he has eaten. Is that normal?

I am just wondering if there is any medical conditions that is affecting his appetite?

Any advise would be appreciated.

[XaviersMum]

My son is the same age as yours and he has started to decrease his formula intake but his solids are fine.  He appears to be happy and his activity levels are high (he is crawling, trying to stand, babbling, etc) .  The only thing I can think of that might be affecting his fluid intake is teething and his mouth being irritated by the sucking motion.  Is your son active? HAs he been coughing or even resting his head to his side or pulling his ear?  My son had an ear infection 2 weeks ago and I noticed he was less active, did not giggle or babble as much, etc.  When I took him to the doctor they informed me he had an ear infection plus bronchitis and they gave him some antibiotics to help.  If  he is refusing both bottle and solids I would imaging it would probably be a sore throught or pressure in his ears that may cause discomfort when he swallows

[Renee Radenberg]

Usually when a young child's appetite decreases it is usually due to not feeling well. If his appetite does not increase suggest having him checked by his Doctor.