Is it normal for my baby to eat less when sick?
Yes. During a cold, fever, or stomach bug, many babies take smaller feeds or skip solids for a day or two. Hydration matters most. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise continuing breastfeeding or usual formula during illness because familiar milk is soothing and supports recovery.
You might see shorter, more frequent feeds or comfort nursing. For babies on solids, it is common to favor soft, bland foods or refuse solids briefly. The NHS recommends offering fluids often and watching for dehydration while appetite returns.
With vomiting or diarrhea, tiny sips given often are typically better tolerated. Most illnesses are short lived, and feeding usually returns to normal within a few days.
Why feeding changes when babies are ill
- Inflammation from infection lowers appetite and can change taste and smell.
- A blocked nose makes it harder to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time.
- Sore throat, mouth pain, or ear pain can make sucking uncomfortable.
- Stomach bugs cause nausea, cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea that limit intake.
- Fever raises fluid needs and can make babies sleepy and less interested in solids.
- Some medicines and congestion can dry the mouth or reduce appetite.
What to try today
Keep fluids coming
Breastfeed on demand. If formula fed, offer usual formula at normal strength in smaller, more frequent bottles. For babies over 6 months, offer small sips of water between milk feeds. Under 6 months, avoid plain water unless your clinician advises. Try a cup, spoon, or syringe if they refuse the bottle.
Make feeds easier with a stuffy nose
Use saline drops and gently suction 5 to 10 minutes before feeds. Hold your baby more upright during and after feeds. Offer shorter, more frequent feeds. A cool mist humidifier and a smoke free room can ease congestion.
Go small and gentle with solids
For babies eating solids, offer soft, simple foods like banana, porridge, yogurt, mashed potato, well cooked pasta, or soups. Add easy proteins like lentils, egg, or shredded chicken when tolerated. Avoid very salty, greasy foods and sugary drinks or juice. Never give honey under 1 year.
Use an ORS plan for vomiting or diarrhea
After vomiting, wait 30 to 60 minutes, then give 5 to 10 ml of oral rehydration solution every 5 minutes and increase as tolerated. Keep breastfeeding. Formula can usually continue as normal. The AAP and NHS recommend oral rehydration solutions rather than sports drinks or undiluted juice.
Prepare feeds safely
Do not dilute formula. Mix exactly as the label directs. Offer milk at the temperature your baby prefers, even chilled if that helps. Discard milk 2 hours after starting a feed. Wash hands and clean bottles, teats, and cups thoroughly.
Comfort, rest, and track nappies
Offer cuddles and skin to skin. Track wet nappies and tears. After the newborn phase, aim for several wet nappies in 24 hours. If fever makes feeding hard, ask your doctor about age appropriate acetaminophen or ibuprofen dosing. Never give aspirin.
When to call a doctor urgently
- Fever 38 C or higher in a baby under 3 months, or 39 C or higher in a baby 3 to 6 months.
- Signs of dehydration: fewer than half the usual wet nappies in 12 hours, very dark urine, dry mouth, no tears, sunken soft spot, unusual sleepiness.
- Green bile or blood in vomit, or your baby cannot keep any fluids down for 8 hours, or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours.
- Blood in stool, black stools, or diarrhea lasting more than 7 days.
- Breathing hard or fast, skin pulling in at the ribs, blue or very pale skin, very drowsy or difficult to wake.
Frequently asked questions
Should I keep breastfeeding when my baby has a fever or stomach bug?
Yes. WHO, AAP, and NHS guidance supports continuing breastfeeding during illness. Breastmilk is easy to digest, provides fluids and immune support, and is usually well tolerated in small, frequent feeds.
Can I give my baby water when sick?
Under 6 months, avoid plain water unless advised by a clinician. Over 6 months, offer small sips of water between milk feeds. With vomiting or diarrhea, use an oral rehydration solution as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.
My baby will not take the bottle because of congestion. What can I do?
Use saline drops and gentle suction before feeds, hold your baby upright, and try smaller, more frequent feeds. You can also try a slower or faster flow teat, offering milk cooler or warmer, or using a cup, spoon, or syringe temporarily.
What foods are best if my baby has diarrhea?
Offer simple starches like banana, rice, porridge, toast, and well cooked pasta, plus yogurt with live cultures if dairy is tolerated. Avoid sugary drinks and juices. Resume a normal balanced diet as appetite returns rather than using a restrictive BRAT only diet.
Should I wake my sick baby to feed?
If they have gone a long stretch without feeding and have few wet nappies, gently offer a feed. Otherwise, let them rest and offer fluids when they wake. Hydration is the priority during illness.
Do I need to switch to lactose free formula during a stomach bug?
Usually no. Most babies can continue their usual formula. Temporary lactose intolerance can follow gastroenteritis in some older infants, but changes should be made only on a clinician’s advice.
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