ebf baby struggling to understand if eating enough

[bungletru]

EBF baby
10m old now
I’m still breastfeeding on demand

baby started BLW at 6 months and was doing brilliantly. Occasionally gets constipated (can take a few days to poop every now and then but generally goes regularly)
Eats everything - veg, fruit, meat, fish, etc.

the last 4 weeks he just isn’t eating as he would usually.
has never loved breakfast but some days will not have anything but breastmilk

ive tried different things and even tried purées to see if I can “top him up” but honestly, not getting anywhere.

i can’t figure out what’s wrong. He’s clearly teething (dribbling so much!) is going through a lot of developmental stuff - crawling, standing, talking more etc.

please, any advice would be appreciated!

Not everyone has an appetite when it’s hot.

It will be the teething. Try giving pain medication (ibuprofen or anbesol liquid) 30 mins before offering food.

Probably the heat.

Loads of babies go off their food when teething because their mouth's hurt. Just keep breastfeeding and offering food and he will start eating more when he is ready. The more you make an issue of it the harder it will be.

Yeah so normal. Just wait it out. It’s not a problem just an expression of your baby’s ability to self regulate their appetite.

My toddler still nurses at two and often only wants two meals a day and some milk snacks. Yours is very much learning. It's all good! Think of it this way, some days I want breakfast, lunch and dinner and no snacks. Other days might have a huge brunch then just a light supper. Then some days I might graze loads. EBF are just the same!

Have you tried him with an ice lolly? My teething ebf 9 month old absolutely loves them, think they soothe her mouth. I mix up a fruit pouch with Greek yoghurt and water and pour into the little ikea ice lolly moulds

Thank you all so much

can’t wait for these teeth to come through so there’s some normality!
just worry so much about him not getting enough food but I suppose he’ll let me know right?!

@bungletru milk is still the most important at that age so I wouldn't worry too much.
Keep offering anyway but don't be disheartened if he's not eating anything, the exposure to foods is still key.
DD is 2 now and still has days where she doesn't eat that much.
DS is 8 months and has a tooth coming through but isn't phased by it and still likes to eat whereas DD only wanted breast milk when teething.
It's likely to be for comfort as well as the food side of things.

You could try making ice lollies, I just put fruit purée or you could even put breast milk in them. Perfect when teething and in this heat

Dont force it.

If your baby isn't hungry and you "encourage" them to eat, you are teaching them to ignore when their body doesn't need/want food..... not a good idea in the long run. Yes, I know sometimes we encourage if we want them to try something new or if we know it's going to be a long time till there will be food again, but if they just don't seem hungry that's fine! They will eat if they need food.

Lots of children eat a LOT less when it is hot. My younger two (nearly 3) are eating basically nothing during the day at the moment - they just don't want their lunch. They make up for it when the evening cool a down. Your baby will get plenty from breastfeeding.

Teething also reduces appetite for solids. They are uncomfortable, and often want to comfort nurse more so full up on milk. That's totally fine and normal. All children get teeth and almost all go through phases when they eat less. Totally normal and does them no harm at all.

The only thing you need to watch is that they aren't losing weight. If concerned, weigh them every 3 days or so. Remember there will be some natural variation. As long as they aren't getting cnsistently lighter over the courseof 2 weeks they don't have an eating problem.

Do keep an eye out for dehydration. If nappies are light/dry or they have a much stronger smell or darker colour then stick them in a tepid bath and let them play, or offer a fruit juice ice lolly. Never try to force fluids on achild less than 18 months - they have teeny tiny kidneys.

Weaning isn't linear. Even babies who are well eat far more done days than others.

I'd try him with Ibruprofen about half an hour before lunch and then half an hour before dinner and then use a teething gel, like Dentinox, just before.

He will be fine. You have to trust them at this age to take as many calories as they need