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