If you are a parent, chances are you've already asked yourself this question:
“My baby is eating less than before, is that normal?”
One day he devours everything you offer him. The next day, he seems content with three bites and a piece of fruit.
This variation in appetite often worries parents, especially when they feel that the baby is refusing certain meals or eating much less than usual.
The good news?
In most cases, this is a perfectly normal stage of nutritional development.
In BLW , baby explores before eating
When starting baby-led weaning, it is important to remember that the main goal is not to fill the baby's stomach.
Between 6 and 8 months, baby discovers above all:
- textures
- the smells
- the colors
- temperatures
- the sensations in the mouth
He touches, crushes, observes, sometimes throws the food and only puts a small part of it in his mouth.
👉 And that's exactly what we expect from him.
During this period, breast milk or infant formula remains the main food and still covers a large part of its nutritional needs.
If you are When to start BLW ?starting out with diversification, you can also consult our article
Why does the baby eat less on some days?
Like adults, babies do not have a constant appetite.
Several factors can influence their food cravings:
🦷 teething
😴 fatigue
🤒 a passing illness
📈 a growth spurt
🌎 A day full of discoveries
🚼 a period of significant development
It is therefore perfectly normal to observe variations from one meal to another or from one week to another.
The important thing is not what he eats at a specific meal, but rather the balance over several days.
And what about when it's hot?
As summer approaches, many parents notice that their baby is eating less.
And that makes perfect sense.
When temperatures rise, our bodies expend less energy maintaining their temperature. We naturally feel more thirsty and crave lighter foods.
Baby functions in exactly the same way.
During hot periods, it is common for:
- meals should be shorter
- the quantities decrease
- so that the fruits are more appreciated
- Heavy meals are less appealing to babies
This does not mean there is a problem.
During these periods, hydration becomes a priority.
You can, in particular, suggest:
🍉 melon
🍓 strawberries
🍐 ripe pears
🥒 cucumber suitable for his age
🍼 breast milk or infant formula
💧 Water according to age-appropriate recommendations
To learn more, also check out our article How to hydrate baby during the summer?
How can we know if everything is alright?
Rather than just observing their plate, look at your baby as a whole.
Ask yourself the following questions:
✔️ Is its growth curve progressing normally?
✔️ Is he in good shape when he's awake?
✔️ Does he continue to play, smile and explore?
✔️ Does he wet his diapers properly?
✔️ Is he continuing to progress in his learning?
If the answer is yes, there is usually little reason to worry.
If in doubt, never hesitate to ask your doctor or pediatrician for advice.
Parental pressure surrounding meals
Food is often charged with emotions.
We grew up with phrases like:
- “Finish your plate.”
- “You hardly ate anything.”
- “Just one more bite.”
It is therefore normal that seeing your baby eat little can generate stress.
However, one of the fundamental principles of BLW is to respect the child's hunger and satiety signals.
Our role is to make proposals.
The baby's role is to decide if and how much to eat.
This trust helps to build a peaceful relationship with food.
You can also read our article Is it important to eat at the same time as baby?,which explains how shared meals positively influence toddlers' diets.
To inspire desire
Although you should never force a child to eat, some little tricks can make meals more attractive.
For example, you can:
✨ Warn baby a few minutes before the meal
✨ eat at the same time as him
✨ offer the same food as the rest of the family
✨ Vary the shapes and presentations
✨ Let baby explore freely
✨ Regularly offer rejected foods without pressure
Pleasure remains one of the best drivers of learning about food.
When to consult a doctor?
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if:
- baby is losing weight
- its growth curve slowed sharply
- he systematically refuses to eat for several days
- He seems very tired or apathetic
- you observe signs of dehydration
Fortunately, these situations remain rare.
In summary
A baby who eats less is not necessarily a baby who is unwell.
Its appetite changes depending on its development, health, fatigue, environment, and even the weather.
In BLW , the goal is not to count every bite but to allow the baby to discover foods at their own pace while respecting their feelings of hunger and satiety.
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