FEEDING AVERSIONS

For many of us, there’s something intensely satisfying and comforting about eating. But what if your baby’s eating mechanism goes wrong? When food, or the merest touch against your baby’s mouth and face, sends them into a frenzy? A baby or child with an oral aversion has a sensitivity to — and perhaps even fear of — food or drink taken by mouth. They may even refuse to allow anything to touch their mouth.

Feeding a baby should be an enjoyable experience for all involved, however when baby repeatedly refuses to feed despite being hungry this makes feeding a frustrating and stressful experience for all involved. Identifying the cause is essential if the problem is to be resolved. This article describes reasons why hungry babies refuse to eat.

It is estimated that 25 to 45 percent of normal developing babies experience feeding problems. The percentage of babies who display avoidant feeding behavior as a result of an aversion to breastfeeding, bottle-feeding or solids is unknown. Possibly because aversive feeding behavior displayed by babies is in general poorly recognized, often misdiagnosed and mismanaged. Consequently, countless families needlessly suffer emotional and financial stress associated with their child’s unresolved feeding aversion, for weeks, months or years.