What Does Decrease In Milk Intake By An Infant Suggest?

Posted on Tue, 29 Sep 2015

Question: Hi,
My daughter is 5+months old. She is on mother feed +formula milk and also I have started giving her rice water from few days. But from last 5 days her intake has dropped suddenly. She use to drink approx 500-600 ml of mother feed+ formula milk + rice water. But from last 5 day it has gone dowe 200-300 ml. Please suggest what could be the reason and what should I do?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I won't get worried if urine output and activity is normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking on this platform

I would like to know if there is any decreased activity,vomiting,abdominal distension or decreased urine output.
Most common cause of poor feeding in this age is some associated illnesses like respiratory or intestinal problems.
I wont get overly worried if baby is active/playful and she is passing urine normally.
Try to give frequent small feeds if baby is not accepting large amount.

If poor feeding persists for next few days or there is any associated problem,then I would like to get her clinically evaluated by a pediatrician.

Please let me know about her condition so that I better able to help you out.

Wishing for your baby's good health.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (7 minutes later)

All her activity is normal. She is active full day and sleeping properly in the night. Urine and motion is also normal as before, no change. The only worry is drinking less milk than before. Can rice water and dal water cause any problem? May be hard to digest for her. Also we used Jaggery instead of sugar in rice water for last two days.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think rice and dal water is causing any problem

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back

I don't think,rice and dal water is causing any problem if other things are normal.The inadequate fluid intake can be assessed well with the urine output.
So I won't get overly worried if urine output is good.
Once you start complementary feeds,baby starts accepting less of fluid as she feels less hungry due to the intake of semisolids.
Also jaggery is good for baby as babies have high requirement of iron during this period and that can be met well with use of jaggery.
Absence of abnormal motion,vomiting and fullness of abdomen suggests that there is no indigestion.
So I would again suggest you to continue with same and observe for any abnormal behavior/symptoms.

If you have any query,I shall be glad to help you out.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar