#asktheexpert my baby is not gaining weight he is not eating anything not drinking milk properly..I am so worried . what should do ??

Question

Accepted Answer

If your baby is not gaining weight and is having difficulty eating and drinking milk, it's important to take a systematic approach:

### **1. **Consult a Pediatrician:**
   - **Medical Evaluation:** Schedule a visit with your pediatrician to assess any underlying health issues that might be affecting your baby’s appetite and weight gain.

### **2. **Assess Feeding Routine:**
   - **Feeding Schedule:** Review your baby’s feeding schedule and ensure it’s appropriate for their age. Sometimes, adjusting feeding times or methods can help.
   - **Offer Frequent, Small Meals:** Provide small, frequent meals rather than large ones. This can make eating less overwhelming.

### **3. **Enhance Nutrient-Dense Foods:**
   - **High-Calorie Foods:** Include nutrient-dense and high-calorie foods like avocado, full-fat yogurt, and nut butters. Offer these in forms that your baby can manage, like purees or small, soft pieces.

### **4. **Make Meals Appealing:**
   - **Variety:** Offer a variety of textures and flavors to see if your baby prefers certain foods.
   - **Engage:** Sometimes playing with food or having fun with meal times can encourage eating.

### **5. **Check Milk Intake:**
   - **Milk Alternatives:** If your baby isn’t drinking formula or milk well, try different brands or types of milk to see if they prefer one over the other. Consult your pediatrician for appropriate milk alternatives or supplements.

### **6. **Monitor and Encourage:**
   - **Track Intake:** Keep a food diary to monitor what and how much your baby is eating and drinking.
   - **Encourage Self-Feeding:** Allow your baby to explore self-feeding to increase their interest in food.

### **7. **Address Feeding Challenges:**
   - **Behavioral Factors:** Sometimes, a reluctance to eat can be behavioral. Working with a pediatric dietitian or feeding specialist might help address these issues.

### **8. **Check for Underlying Issues:**
   - **Health Conditions:** Ensure there are no underlying health conditions, such as gastrointestinal issues or allergies, affecting your baby’s eating habits.

Your pediatrician can provide specific advice and may recommend tests or interventions to address your baby's weight and feeding issues.