My four-month-old baby keeps crying and fussing during feeding—what could be the reason?

Babies may cry and fuss during feeding at 4 months of age due to physiological reasons, or conditions such as oral ulcers or upper respiratory tract infections. The details are as follows:

1. Physiological Factors

If the mother's milk supply is insufficient, the baby may not be able to satisfy hunger while feeding, which could lead to persistent crying and fussing.

2. Pathological Factors

1) Oral Ulcers

A 4-month-old baby with oral ulcers may experience inflammation that irritates the oral mucosa, leading to symptoms such as fever, decreased appetite, and local pain, which can cause crying and irritability.

2) Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

When a baby develops an upper respiratory tract infection, nasal congestion and breathing difficulties may occur, resulting in crying and fussing during feeding.

In addition to the above causes, conditions such as thrush or rhinitis might also be responsible. It is important to take the baby promptly to a pediatric department at a reputable hospital for evaluation. Once the underlying cause is identified, treatment should be directed accordingly. In daily care, maintain good oral hygiene by giving the baby some warm water after feeding, and closely monitor any changes in the baby's health.