Hi ! hetal & others !

my baby is 8 mnths old. and he's teething right now. but that's been since a long time. now my problem is that he's had 2 ear infections and that pulls him back in appetite and weight. and we've just finished with antibiotics this 25th. so he's again showing his tantrums - really very fussy. is this ok ! as the doctor is so not worried. but i feel the child should have something at least. u know 4-5 tbls atleast. i can't keep him on milk the whole day. he should have something. it's so hard to feed him. seems he's just not intersted but then he looks at my plate with keen interst and i do let him tast off my plate but i wonder how it can be a meal for him. i have tried dalia, daal, fruits. i am really frustrated. i feel like leaving it alone and he might catch up someday but then his weight is also not that great - 17 pounds. so i need some input from u all - especially u - hetal. teething should hamper hunger should it ?? pl. advise !! Hetal replied. hi, thr,,wantd to reply you yesday, but couldnt complt the post..

yes teethng respnsble for loss of apetite,,is quite a normal for babies right from 3-4months,,someshow it in every single set of teeth, some in specific like molars, canines, premolars,,and some get other symptms like loose motions, fevrs, chills and likewse,,in your case,, inner cold,cough or droolng causng ear infctns..
the severt depnds,,most kids get cold, cough, nasal congestions,,due to excess drooling causes bacterial infectn or sometimes yeast infctns and some babies get cold/congestn out of it, some get rashes around the lips area or cheeks,,and some get ear infections...
it oftn happns whn excess drooling is not able to pass on thru the baby tube and it happns to deposit thr,,and in that if at all mucus is formed and is not cleard,,alll these leads to ear infectn/bacterial ear infectns...
check my post on ear infectns and see if ne of the inputs therein helps you :

http://www.indiaparenting.com/boards/showmessage.cgi?messageid=694&table_name=dis_crying_colic

now about child starng in your plate,,he needs more variety,,your baby wants to eat from your plate,,this is something good,,as far as he is eating,,it should not bother you,,as i assume tht family foods are healthier food thn the foods you make for your child alone,,mstly if you are making a traditional indian food with all combinations and well balanced spices, herbs and vegies or meat...
start offerng,,make your food mild and see if he accepts that. why not make a sep heap of his food in your plate and make it a together thing,,offer from your plate, just the food is diff,and is placed in between your food,,or may it be your food in itself ! you eat fruits and let your baby njoy them from your plate, you eat dal and rice, and let your baby put his hands inside the plate and eat with alot of mess ! nothng wrong if that makes him eat...
and yes,,,teething hampers apetite,,kids like to have more liquid foods, and some like mine,,like to go on fast,for 2-3days,,and sometimes some kids have also liked boiled/spiceless food during teething ! its all as to what they prefer in dealing with the pains..
offer your child, once a while some gum soothers, ask your dr about ne medicatn that can help your child to get irritated in pain or suffer more,,some over the counter,medicine or some gel that can be applied on gums.
you can alternatly, also help your child soothe his teethng pains by offerng Cool teethers/water filled teethers or teething rings,,or some cold piece of cucumber or long carrot,that is kept under normal water temperature for a couple mins,,and it comes to cool temp thn being chilled,,and offer him that to chew,,,it will soothe him and all that saliva that keeps coming out from his mouth,,clean as oftn as you notice,,
keep your child well hydrated to make sure his body liquids are replaced well,,durng teethng,,
make sure your child drinks lots of juices, vegetable or fruit juices,,liquid diets in form that it offers all the foods in liquid form, soups or so,,to ensure he gets all nutrients,,so even if he runs away fromm chewing the food,,atleast drinking will help him grow healthy !
and nothn wrong if your child is replacng bm or formula for meals, until 10months of his life,,its perfctly normal,,and esp in teethng,expct his feeds to go up,,almost upto 2-3times more, and 2-3oz extra per feed,,,

since your dr is not worried about this,,i am not worried as well...you are still in better position,,your child is takng formula or somethng is goin in his stomach,,mine used to go for fastng for 2-3days,sometimes it lasted 4 days on fruit and vegetble juices only !!!!

good luck,,jst keep n eye on hs wght,,it shldnt reduce,,stayng constant is expectble on weekly basis,considerng 8months old,,,,but shouldnt remain cnstant monthly...make sure this does not become a habit,,you can look for finger foods and see if he gets more and more opportunity to smell, see and touch or feel the food so that he somehow gets into eatng it !
check the fingr food ideas and see if it makes him eat :

http://www.indiaparenting.com/boards/showmessage.cgi?messageid=7151&table_name=dis_feeding

also i strongly recmd you chck the post by neetu which has a good collection of links of recipes, ideas and other things about babies/toddlers by all members..

takecare,,,