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Poor feeding in infants - Overview

Alternative Names

Feeding - infant's lack of interest; Infant - lack of interest in feeding

Definition of Poor feeding in infants:

Poor feeding is when an infant has a lack of interest in feeding or a problem receiving the proper amount of nutrition.

Considerations:

Poor feeding is a nonspecific symptom seen in newborn and young infants. It can result from many conditions, including infection, metabolic disorders, genetic disorders, structural problems, and neurological disorders. Poor feeding is not a sign of the severity of the disease, but it requires close watching of the infant.

Poor feeding is not the same as "picky" eating. Many children between ages 2 and 4 are picky eaters. Parents only need to give children what they like to eat at this age. However, children must continue to drink milk or an appropriate milk substitute.

Common Causes:

  • Reviewed last on: 11/9/2007
  • Deirdre O’Reilly, M.D., M.P.H., Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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