Poor feeding in infants is used to describe an infant with little interest in feeding. It can also refer to an infant who is not feeding enough to receive the necessary nutrition required for adequate growth. Poor growth associated with lack of feeding can lead to a separate condition called failure to thrive.
Poor feeding is caused by a variety of incidents. It is different from picky eating, in which a baby may reject one form of milk for another, or a toddler may refuse certain foods. No matter what the precise cause of poor feeding, undernutrition is a top concern. In fact, the World Health OrganizationTrusted Source (WHO) estimates that 45 percent of child deaths are related to undernutrition.
It is important not to dismiss poor feeding as something that will improve over time. This is a critical point in your child’s life, and missing key nutrients can lead to physical and cognitive problems.
Causes of Poor Feeding in Infants
One of the most common causes of poor feeding is premature birth. Premature babies are typically poor feeders because they often have not yet developed the skills needed to suck and swallow milk. Still, feeding usually increases as the baby grows. If your baby was born prematurely but still has feeding issues after leaving the hospital, it’s important to call your pediatrician right away.
Other causes include congenital conditions such as herpes and jaundice, and infections such as viral gastroenteritis. Once these conditions are treated, poor feeding usually subsides.
Serious Conditions
Poor feeding can also be caused by serious conditions, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. This is an overgrowth syndrome that causes infants to be particularly large and grow at a considerably fast pace. It affects an estimated 1 in 13,700 newborns worldwide. Other serious conditions include:
congenital hypothyroidism: occurs when the thyroid fails to develop or function properly
hypoplastic left heart: rare condition that occurs when the left side of the heart fails to develop properly, and is unable to pump blood to the body
infant botulism: can occur when an infant ingests the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which produce a dangerous toxin in the body that can affect breathing and eating
Down syndrome
Less Serious Conditions
Other cases of poor feeding aren’t related to a congenital condition at all. Temporary illnesses can make feeding uncomfortable (and even painful) for infants. Common ailments that get in the way of feeding include:
When in doubt, it’s always best to double check with a pediatrician. You don’t want to assume a minor illness when in fact there could be a serious underlying condition.
