Were you flying with complementary feeding and suddenly your baby started to reject everything? Don't worry, you're not alone. This sudden behavior is very common in babies under 1 year old, and although it is very worrying for moms and dads, the truth is that it is a frequent, temporary and normal condition.

How to deal with this period? When should we worry? What other signs should we look out for? We took all our questions to Dr. Luis Andrés Vives, Pediatric gastroenterologist at the Clínica Universidad de los Andes. Here we explain everything about this behavior in babies under 1 year old.

“The infant under one year of age, who started feeding, and suddenly refuses food is something relatively common and we see it “This is becoming more and more common. If the baby is growing well, if weight and height are normal and the pediatrician is calm about his development, parents should not worry, since it is generally something normal and temporary ,” explains Dr. Luis Andrés Vives.

What is the reason?

Every baby is different, and therefore there is no single cause . Some pediatricians believe that it may be related to neurosensory hypersensitivity, which means that babies are more sensitive to all kinds of things (noises, touch, etc.) and also to food, so they are more selective.

It could also be due to teething , incubating a virus , or having a canker sore , among other possibilities. Each case is different, and that is why it is important to trust the pediatrician to ask any questions.

Do not stop feeding

Even if the baby refuses food, it is important not to stop offering food, even if it is in smaller quantities. You have to be patient and not stop feeding him at certain times, because it is good for babies to follow routines.

Another important point is not to compare yourself so much with nearby cases, because each baby is unique, and these expectations cause a lot of anxiety in parents and unnecessary pressure on those babies.

Variety is the spice of life

• Notice what textures your baby likes, perhaps he prefers something thicker or more liquid.

• If you feel comfortable, you can give him certain foods that are safe, since there are babies who are not satisfied with just seeing food, but want to touch it and play with it.

• You can change the order in which you offer the foods, or alternate something sweet with something salty.

• It is important not to over-hydrate babies, because if their stomach is full of liquid, they are more likely not to want to eat.

When to consult a pediatrician?

“If the baby is less than two years old and does not want to eat, it is advisable to consult the pediatrician, at least by phone. If the baby is more than two years old and does not want to eat, you should wait 2 or 3 days to see if this changes, because after two years, they tend to become fussy about eating or they make certain gaps in which they do not want to eat as much and their appetite decreases,” warns the specialist from Clínica Universidad de los Andes.