Why Teething Changes How Your Baby Eats and What You Can Do About It
In this article
Breastfeeding and bottle changes
Practical feeding strategies during teething
Why Teething Affects Your Baby’s Appetite
The link between teething and decreased appetite is supported by research. A study by Macknin, which tracked 475 tooth eruptions across 125 babies, found that decreased appetite for solid foods was statistically associated with active teething. Importantly, the researchers found no significant change in appetite for liquids, suggesting the issue is linked specifically to the discomfort of chewing rather than a general loss of interest in food.
This makes sense when you consider what is happening in the mouth. A tooth pushing through gum tissue creates localised soreness and swelling. At the same time, one of the strongest findings in the Macknin study was increased biting and chewing – babies instinctively seek out firm pressure on their gums because it provides relief. So teething creates a seeming contradiction: your baby may actively want to gnaw on hard objects for comfort, while being less willing to sit down and eat a meal that requires sustained chewing. The desire to chew is not the same as the desire to eat. Many teething babies seek pressure on their gums because it relieves discomfort, but actual eating requires repeated chewing and swallowing, which can become tiring or uncomfortable. That is why a baby may happily gnaw on a teether or firm biscuit for a short while, whilst refusing their usual meal.
The good news is that these changes are almost always temporary. Appetite typically returns within a few days once the worst of the eruption has passed.
How Teething Changes Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding
Teething affects milk feeds in two seemingly opposite ways. Some babies nurse more frequently because the sucking itself feels comforting and familiar during teething. Others pull away during feeds, possibly because the pressure involved in sucking can irritate sore gums (La Leche League GB).
Biting is a common concern for breastfeeding parents. When a baby is correctly latched, their tongue covers the lower teeth, making biting difficult. Most biting happens at the end of a feed when the baby loses interest. La Leche League recommends watching for signs such as jaw tightening, gently breaking the latch before it happens, and offering something to chew on instead (La Leche League International).
Bottle-fed babies may also refuse feeds during teething. Changing the teat shape or moving to a slightly faster or slower flow can sometimes make bottle feeds more comfortable during teething. If your baby is chewing through bottle teats, they are seeking gum pressure rather than milk. Offering something firm to chew on before a feed can help them settle.
What Happens to Solids During Teething
If your baby has recently started weaning or is well established on solids, teething can change what mealtimes look like. Some babies show less interest in sitting down to eat but will happily gnaw on a firm teething biscuit or a strip of chilled cucumber between meals. Others prefer cold or soft textures at mealtimes while seeking out harder things to chew on at other times. Some babies chew food for the gum pressure it provides, then spit it out rather than swallowing much.
These changes can unsettle parents following baby-led weaning. Parents commonly report phases where babies temporarily refuse solids during teething, especially around molars or multiple teeth erupting at once. Both patterns are normal and almost always resolve once the tooth comes through.
It is tempting to switch entirely to purees or pouches during these phases, but continuing to offer a mix of textures is important. Many babies still want firm things to chew on during teething because the pressure can temporarily relieve gum discomfort. Offering both soft comfort foods and firm, safe items to gnaw on gives your baby the choice to follow what their mouth needs in the moment, while maintaining their oral motor development.
Practical Strategies for Feeding Through Teething
There is no single approach that works for every baby, but several strategies are consistently recommended by health professionals and parents.
1. Work with the chewing instinct. Your baby’s urge to chew harder things during teething is not a problem – it is their body’s way of managing discomfort. A firm teething biscuit or other safe chewing aid can help babies apply pressure to sore gums without immediately dissolving in the mouth. Offering something firm to chew on before or alongside a meal often settles them enough to then engage more willingly with food.
2. Offer cool and soothing foods. Chilled fruit such as banana, melon, or cucumber can feel pleasant on sore gums. Some parents offer chilled or partially frozen breast milk pops under close supervision, although very hard frozen items may be uncomfortable for sensitive gums and should always be used carefully.
3. Keep offering milk feeds. Milk remains an important source of nutrition throughout the first year, even as solid foods gradually take on a larger role after around six months (NHS).
4. Avoid pressure at mealtimes. If your baby does not want to eat, pushing food can create negative associations with mealtimes. Offer the meal, let them engage at their own pace, and trust that appetite will return.
5. Maintain your usual routine. Even if your baby eats less, continuing to offer food at regular times preserves the structure they are used to.
When Feeding Changes Need Professional Attention
Most teething-related feeding changes are short-lived and resolve on their own. However, there are times when it is worth speaking with your GP or health visitors.
Seek medical advice sooner if a young baby refuses feeds entirely, especially in babies under six months, where dehydration can develop more quickly. It is also worth checking in if food refusal extends well beyond the teething episode, as this could suggest a food sensitivity or oral motor difficulty.
Prolonged teething-related feeding issues are uncommon. If something feels wrong, your instinct as a parent matters – getting a professional opinion can provide reassurance or catch a problem early.
