7 Month Old Suddenly Not Hungry

My kids had decreased appetites when they were teething, so that could be it. If it continues or he isn't wetting very many diapers I would contact his doctor just to be safe. Hope this helps and I hope he is feeling better soon. :)

A.,

Yes, he's probably in pain. Try some motrin (works better than tylenol for teething pain) and see if that helps. If it does, you've identified the problem. Also, when my kids get sick, the first sign is usually a drastic decrease in their appetite.

:-)T.

yep teething could for sure be it. a lot of time they just plain don't feel good. mine would sooth by nursing but i've know plenty of babies that just didn't eat. as long as he's peeing and pooping he should be ok. is he acting lethargic or anything, if so i would take him to the doc.

have fun with the new teeth!

10 oz. is not very much for a little guy. You should make sure he is not getting dehydrated. Maybe trying giving some juice in between BM to get him some fluids. Teeth can do it, but that is a big drop in food and liquid intake. Make sure his mouth is still very wet and he is still a slobbering mess. If not take him in forsure.

I have a 10 month old who is teething and isn't very interested in eating right now. He is on almost all table food now and barely wants anything, but his bottle of formula. He isn't drinking as much as he should either. I would just watch it. I have two older kids and I know they went through times like this before. If it lasts over a week and doesn't show any more interest I would call the doctor. It probably is the teething. It can bring on all kinds od crazy side effects. Hope he gets better soon.

Hi A.,

If you are worried I would talk to his Doctor to see how many calories he should be eating every day for proper growth also I would keep a food journal.

10 oz a day of fluid and nothing else is most likely more than just teething. I suspect he has a sore throat and it hurts to eat or drink. Babies who don't get enough to eat or drink lose weight rapidly and it can become dangerous if he gets dehydrated. My daughter had the same symptoms at 8 months and she was diagnosed with hand, foot & mouth disease - something she picked up at the park. My recommendation, take him to the pediatrician just to be on the safe side.

He could also be just finishing a growth spurt. If that's the case. He'll regain his appetite when the next one hits. Both my boys had a roller coaster of appetites. My first was worse. He would go from eating everything in sight to eating nothing, then back. Either way, if your concerned, take him to the doctors to be on the safe side.

Hi A.,

I have a 19 month old who has been on numerous "food strikes", as we like to call them. I use to totally stress out about it until the dr. assured me that they won't starve themselves, and to look at what they eat over a week, not each day. Looking back these food strikes were usually centered around teething. They totally lose their appetite, and plus, it really hurts! I would make her frut,yogurt and soymilk smoothies, she loves them! And it's cold so it feels good on the gums. Or I'd just get her a really basic Jamba Juice, w/ bannanas, yogurt and fruit. If he's learned to suck through a staw yet, this is a good thing to try. But don't worry, it's usually a phase, especially if he was formerly a good eater.

it could be from him teething. try the gentle naturals teething drops those work great! good luck i hope he starts to eat soon!

Hi A.
My son is also about this age and I also noticed a decrease of appetite. What I do is try to give him as much as I can during longer spans instead of all at one sitting.

For example if he would get milk 4-6 oz of milk at 8am(he normally would finish it within 5-10 minutes). Now during teething period I give him a little at a time and we take a break so by the end of an hour and 1/2 he has gotten what he should have gotten at one feeding it just took him longer.

Your little boy drinks a lot. My son used to be breast fed or fed breask milk and he never went over 24 oz in a day. I am still worried but the doctor says he is fine and that as long as they are getting at least 20 oz a day he is OK

For the teething I tried Highland teething tablets and they worked OK when he wsa younger but one of the other moms recommended Gentle Nature drops and these work so much better for him. I give them to him every 3 hours and it helped tremendously

Can I ask how much your son weighs?

I am concerned about my son's weight but both lactation consultant and dr says it is within range and not to worry.

I was so worried I am supplementing with formula

My daughter is 6 mo and the same thing. I think it is the teething. I just giver her teething drops throughout the day. She just had her check up last week and the Dr. said don't worry, she could be that way for a few weeks and be fine. Try putting ice in those mesh bag feeders.

If he is not unusually grumpy or fussy and he doesn't seem sick, I don't think you need to worry. I'm pretty sure my babies had a decrease in appetite too when they were teething, though I don't think it was ever that drastic. But fluctuations in appetite are pretty common. I oftened worried if they were getting enough but my mom and mother-in-law kept telling me it was completely normal. The biggest thing to watch is his behavior. If his behavior is normal, I don't think you should worry. If he is teething, some fussing is to be expected, but if there are things that comfort him (like the chewing on his hands or you rubbing his gums), then you probably don't need to worry, but if you do still worry, there is no harm in calling his doctor. I'm still a fairly new mom (I have a 3 year old and almost 2 year old). With my first, I worried about everything and called the doctor frequently. After many unneccessary doctor visits, I have learned to turn to experienced moms I know and my sister always told me to watch their behavior and you will know when something is really wrong. If he is behaving normally (aside from not eating much) and can be soothed when fussy, you probably have nothing to worry about.

It sounds like something is bothering him. It could be teeth, ears, tummy, etc. You don't want him to get dehydrated. I would call your doctor. I always think it's better to take them in (even if nothing ends up being wrong) than to be sorry later. While you're there, you may want to ask about giving him 40 oz. a day, that seems to be way too much for a seven month old. I hope your baby is feeling better soon.

I am not sure how long this has been going on but it could be a sore throat also. I know when my baby had a sore throat, for about 3 days, we could hear her tummy growling but she refused to eat! Whether it is a sore throat, teething or just a "stage" I suggest giving him pedialyte popsicles to ensure he does not get dehydrated. When they are hungry enough, they eventually eat but you want to be sure they do not get dehydrated. The popsicles are great because they feel good on the gums & on a sore throat! I only cut off 1 small corner so that they can chew on the popsicle inside the package and just suck out the juice (you don't want to open the whole top so they don't get a chunk off & choke.)

Absolutely! My guy goes on hunger strike EVERY time he starts teething. It drives me crazy but I found a great solution. I bought one of those mesh food bags (you can get them at most baby stores and drug stores). I then would stick in the blender: yogurt, rice cereal & fruit (whatever fruits your guy likes) and transfer mixture to ice cube trays. Freeze. After they were frozen I would stick one of the food cubes in the mesh bag and Presto! You have a very healthy yogurt pop. The cold feels great on their gums and they are getting some nutritious food in them too. Good luck

Hi A.. Sounds like your sweet little guy is teething. The lack of appetite, his chewing on his hands & you rubbing his gums with your finger are all classic signs. I wouldn't worry unless he is acting lethargic. Babies wont starve themselves. My almost 6 month old has started with the always chewing on his & my fingers too.. Hope this helps.. take care!

It could be teething or a stomach bug, or sore throat. Give it a few days unless he shows signs of dehydration. In which case, call your doc.

they go through phases..does sound like he's teething..also try oatmeal instead of rice..rice constipates ..you can get great oatmeal by Earth's Best.

another thing is that the weather is changing from cold to hot, my son did the same thing. dont worry about it, between teething and temperature, give him popsicles. there are all natural fruit popsicles or make your own if you are worried about nutrients, he isnt going to care, if it is cold and feels good on his gums, he will love it, or freeze some orange slices, just be prepared to get messy!!! besides it's summer time, put him in a diaper let him naw at the frozen stuff and he will be ecstatic!!!!!