Refusing to Feed/Eat

Refusing to feed is a feeding problem that usually starts when a baby is six to nine months of age. When a baby is consistently not feeding or is often refusing food or has a lack of appetite, it can lead to growth problems.

Refusing to feed/eat & CMPA

Why does my baby refuse to feed?

There are many reasons why babies can be finicky about food and feeding. However, it is not always related to an illness. It is suggested that food/feed refulsal could be related to teething, or your baby is tired, or he/she doesn’t need as much food as you are feeding them.

Could it be Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?

Feed refusal can be a symptom of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA). However, babies with CMPA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one baby to the next (Link to Symptoms). Therefore it is always best to discuss it with your baby’s healthcare provider. They will look at the symptoms in detail and often use a symptom scoring system to decide if it is related to CMPA.

Keep a diary of when your baby feeds and of any symptoms that occur during or after feeding. Be sure to note down the time e.g., in minutes, hours or days, and when the symptom/s happened.

If your baby is breastfed, then mum should also record everything she is eating and drinking, as well timings of symptoms after feeding. It’s a good idea to keep this diary for at least 1 week before seeing your healthcare provider.

What to Do Next?

If you are worried that your baby has symptoms related to cow's milk, you should seek advice from your healthcare provider. Whilst you are preparing to visit your healthcare provider, it can be a good idea to record your baby's symptoms over a few days before the visit.