5. Persistent Hunger: An Insatiable Appetite That’s Hard to Satisfy
Picture this: you’ve just fed your baby, and they’re still crying, still reaching for more. It’s not the usual “I want to be cuddled” cry but an insistent, “I’m still hungry” wail. Persistent hunger in infants with pyloric stenosis is a paradox that puzzles many parents. You’ve fed them, but it’s like pouring water into a bottomless well.
At this point, you might think your baby is going through a growth spurt, needing extra fuel. But it’s not that simple. Because of the obstructed pyloric valve, the milk or formula doesn’t reach the small intestine where absorption takes place. The stomach becomes a cul-de-sac where food gathers but doesn’t pass through. No wonder the baby still feels hungry.
Now, let’s delve into how this affects their behavior. A baby who is continuously hungry can’t focus on other activities that are crucial for their development, like playtime or bonding with caregivers. Their whole existence narrows down to this primal need for food that remains unfulfilled. It’s like an itch they can’t scratch, creating an overwhelming sense of frustration and restlessness.
What’s even more startling is that the persistent hunger could lead to a heightened state of alertness in the baby. Their senses might be on overdrive, as they’re hardwired to seek food. However, because they can’t keep the food down, they can never enter the relaxed, satiated state that comes after a good meal, leaving them stuck in a vicious cycle of hunger and alertness.
Persistent hunger isn’t just a standalone symptom; it’s an orchestra where every player is out of tune. The gut isn’t working as it should, and the baby isn’t developing as they could. A mother may even face issues like sore nipples or mastitis if breastfeeding, due to the frequent, unproductive feeds. The entire feeding experience becomes a battleground, leaving both parents and baby stressed and exhausted. (5)
