Guide
Not eating / feeding dips
When a smaller appetite is normal
Is this normal?
Appetite naturally goes up and down in babies — teething, a growth pause, a mild cold or even a hot day can shrink a feed. As long as baby is having wet nappies and is acting like themselves between feeds, short dips are usually fine.
Why this happens
Babies regulate their intake well over a week, not a single day. Illness, teething and rapid brain growth all temporarily change appetite — it usually self-corrects as soon as they feel better.
What you might see
- Taking less per feed for a day or two
- More distracted at the breast or bottle
- Wanting comfort feeds more than hungry feeds
- Refusing solids but still drinking milk
At a glance — tap to jump
Red flag
Get medical help urgently if
- Under 3 months refusing to feed
- No wet nappy for 12 hours
- Dry mouth, sunken soft spot on scalp (fontanelle), no tears when crying
- Floppy, very drowsy, or unusually hard to rouse
- Repeated vomiting alongside refusing feeds
- Green (bile-stained) vomit
Watch
Watch more closely if
- Feeding less for more than 24–48 hours
- Fewer wet nappies than usual
- Seems tired or unusually quiet
- Has a cold, cough or sore mouth
Normal
Usually safe if
- At least 6 wet nappies in 24 hours
- Alert, settled and playful between feeds
- Still gaining weight on the longer trend (weekly, not daily)
- Improves within 2–3 days
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