What should I do if my 16-month-old baby won't eat?

Mar 27, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ma Yan
Introduction
A 16-month-old baby's refusal to eat should be treated according to the underlying cause. If due to physiological reasons, adjusting the diet may help alleviate the issue. In cases of indigestion, medications such as Bifidobacterium triple viable powder, probiotic tablets, or compound pepsin granules may be used under a doctor's guidance to aid digestion. If caused by pyloric obstruction, gastrojejunostomy or palliative endoscopic stent placement can be performed to relieve the blockage. For conditions such as enteritis, medical treatment is required.

A 16-month-old baby's refusal to eat should be treated according to the underlying causes, which may be physiological or pathological, such as indigestion or pyloric obstruction.

I. Physiological Causes

If feeding has been overly monotonous, the baby may lose appetite due to prolonged consumption of the same foods. This condition is usually not severe and can be relieved by promptly adjusting the diet to include a greater variety of foods.

II. Pathological Causes

1. Indigestion

If the baby frequently consumes large amounts of snacks before meals or eats foods that are difficult to digest, gastrointestinal burden may increase, leading to indigestion. Under medical guidance, medications such as Bifidobacterium triple viable powder, probiotic tablets, or compound pepsin granules may be used to aid digestion.

2. Pyloric Obstruction

Pyloric obstruction can prevent food from passing from the stomach into the intestines. Prompt medical attention is recommended, and treatment under medical supervision may include procedures such as gastrojejunostomy or palliative endoscopic stent placement to relieve the obstruction.

In addition, gastrointestinal discomfort caused by conditions such as enteritis may also lead to poor appetite. Timely medical evaluation and appropriate treatment are necessary.


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