Many of us have heard the term food aversion used to describe a pregnant woman going off her food or even feeling sick at the thought of a particular food, but what else could this mean?
Babies and children can also develop food aversion for a number of reasons such as a food allergy or a food intolerance, or like my daughter who has multiple food allergies can be so scared to eat certain food groups that she can feel sick just at the thought of eating, especially outside our home.
What is food aversion
Food aversions are when your baby or child refuse or avert eating or drinking. This also includes breastfeeding babies. A food aversion can be caused by a food intolerance or allergy that has not been diagnosed and will call the baby or child to associate food with pain and discomfort, causing them to refuse it. Some children have very restricted diets if food aversions develop and repeat without being treated.
What are the symptoms
Some of the symptoms can include but are not limited to:
Reflux
Arched back when feeding
Refusal to eat or drink
Missing meals
Hungry but won't eat
Distressed when put into a feeding chair or bib around neck
Distressed around mealtimes
Avoiding certain foods
Restrictive diet
Exclusion of food groups
If you think your baby or child is suffering from food aversion, then contact your GP for help, don't worry if you think you are over reacting, if you think there is a problem you are probably right, always seek help. If your GP thinks that there could be a problem they may refer your child to a dietitian or paediatrician for further investigation or tests.
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