Sign 6: Decreased Appetite – Food is Not Appealing
The discomfort in their gums can make mealtime a challenging affair. Your once eager eater may now turn away from food, showing a decreased interest in eating. It’s a tough pill to swallow for parents, but understanding that this dip in appetite is a direct result of their teething discomfort can help you navigate through this food-fussy phase.
But this decrease in appetite doesn’t mean nutrition takes a backseat. It’s about getting creative with mealtime, offering softer foods that are gentler on their sore gums. Mashed fruits, pureed veggies, and yogurt can provide the nutrients they need without exacerbating their discomfort. It’s a culinary adventure, with a focus on softness and ease.
In this food-fussy chapter, patience is key. Your baby’s decrease in appetite is temporary, a phase in their teething journey. Your job is to offer support, provide gentle food options, and stay patient as they navigate through their mealtime discomfort. It’s a feeding challenge, but together, you’re finding ways to keep nutrition on the table.
And while their interest in food may have waned, remember, this is just a phase. As their teeth break through and the gum discomfort subsides, their appetite will return, and mealtimes will become joyous occasions once again. So, keep the food soft, the patience plentiful, and the support flowing, knowing that this decrease in appetite is just a temporary bump in their teething journey.
It’s a food-fussy time, but it’s also an opportunity for culinary creativity and mealtime bonding. You’re their mealtime guide, their soft-food chef, and together, you’re navigating through the decrease in appetite, finding ways to keep nutrition on the menu and comfort on the plate. So, embrace the mashed fruits, the pureed veggies, and the gentle yogurts, knowing that with every soft bite, you’re helping them through the food-fussy phase and guiding them back to happy, hearty mealtimes. (6)
