Causes and Ways to Overcome Baby GTM

Your baby has entered the stage of MPASI (complementary foods) but does not even want to eat? This is commonly called the baby GTM by mothers. Indeed, GTM is one of the baby's problems which is quite difficult for mothers.

Not a few mothers who complain how to overcome GTM. Actually, what causes baby GTM? How to deal with baby GTM? Find the answer through the explanation below. This information can be a solution for those of you whose children are on GTM.

What is the Abbreviation for GTM?

The abbreviation for GTM is the shut up movement. So, baby GTM is the movement of the baby's mouth shut. GTM also has the same meaning as Picky Eating which includes Feeding Disorder or eating disorders.

GTM is common in children from infancy (6 months). Toddlers also often experience GTM. Infants who experience GTM tend to be more alarming, especially in infants aged 6 months who have just entered the MPASI stage.

Baby GTM Problems

Infants who have just begun to be introduced to complementary feeding have higher energy and nutrient requirements than when they were exclusively breastfed. The nutritional content in breast milk is not enough to meet their needs.

Therefore, it is important for babies to consume complementary foods for breast milk so that energy and other nutritional needs can still be met. So, what if the baby does GTM?

GTM children who are not immediately treated do not rule out the possibility to be able to continue until the child turns a toddler even above that age. If a child experiences GTM for a long time and continuously it can have a negative impact on him.

These impacts can reduce nutritional status, health quality, and the quality of growth and development. Children who continue to carry out GTM actions may experience thinness, malnutrition, susceptibility to illness, stunted, and even reduce their cognitive abilities.

Don't want this to happen to your child? Get to know the various causes and ways of dealing with GTM children below!

Causes of Mouth Shut Movement

Although GTM often occurs in infants, this eating disorder is not a natural thing. There are several causes for baby GTM. Know the cause of the baby's mouth shut movement, so you will understand and be able to fix it.

Here are some of the causes of GTM in infants:

1. Babies Not Accustomed to Foods Besides Breast Milk

Babies who are beginning to enter MPASI just experience the transition from liquid food, namely breast milk to soft food. Some babies feel that the food is different from the milk they consume. This can cause your baby to launch GTM.

The transition is not only from the texture of food. During the first 6 months, babies consume their food by sucking. The MPASI menu demands a different way of eating, so it takes time for the baby to get used to it.

2. The baby is still full

The reason a baby closes his mouth when given food can also be because he is still full. This happened because he had just consumed milk to meet his stomach. Of course, feeling full will make a baby reluctant to eat and 'lock' his mouth.

3. Babies Are Uncomfortable or Sick

There are many things that can make a baby feel uncomfortable. Some of these things such as overheating, drowsiness, boredom, itching, pain, teething, diapers full of urine or feces, and others.

The discomfort disrupts the baby's appetite for food. As a result, babies do GTM. He prefers you to overcome the causes that make him uncomfortable first and immediately.

4. Food Texture Preferences

Why is my baby still GTM even though I'm used to textures other than liquid (ASI)? Soft and semi-solid texture has been given routinely, but the movement of the baby's mouth shut still occurs.

It could be because it tends to one of the texture of food. This is common in babies 8-9 months. Babies at this age usually have tasted puree, porridge, team rice, soft rice, and finger food.

Some babies prefer puree or porridge, so they will GTM when served finger food or soft rice. Also, baby GTM can occur in babies given puree because he prefers food that is held (finger food).

5. There are disorders in food

Have you experienced a condition where GTM occurs after a baby eats 1 to 2 bribes or in part of its food? Maybe many parents are surprised, why at the beginning or half of the feeding journey, the baby suddenly closes his mouth.

The cause of baby GTM in such cases is usually due to a disruption in the food you serve. The disorder can be a taste that is not appropriate, there are hard particles such as sand or rocks that enter, food temperature, and others.

6. Non-conducive environment

An environment that is not conducive can cause your baby to not want to eat. The baby will be disturbed if he hears a loud noise, many people, or things that divert his appetite.

7. Pressure

The cause of baby GTM can also be due to the mother or caregiver. Not infrequently mothers especially caregivers who are not family members are impatient in giving food to their babies, so they become angry and pressure the baby.

This pressure can disturb the baby's mood. Even babies feel insecure and uncomfortable, so he opted for GTM.

How to Overcome Baby GTM?

Don't let the GTM baby go. Immediately resolve the issue if you don't want your baby to have bad things tomorrow.

Here are some ways to overcome GTM children that can be done:

1. Set Meal Time

Set the distance to eat appropriately. Try not to give milk or milk near the time of breakfast, lunch, and the afternoon.

2. Overcoming Baby Problems

The way to overcome GTM children who are not comfortable because of certain things is to find a solution to the problem. For example, if the baby is GTM because the diaper is full of urine, then replace it immediately with a new diaper.

3. Creating a Conducive Environment

Make sure the baby's environment when eating is quite conducive. Avoid feeding the baby in a noisy or too crowded place.

4. Preparing Baby Food Interestingly and Carefully

Although babies have certain preferences, but do not follow their will. The reason is, it is not good for him in the future. Supposedly, babies have started to like to eat with any texture, especially solid (for babies over 9 months) because it is important for the growth of their teeth.

The thing that you can try is to still present a baby menu with a variety of textures. Prepare baby food attractively, especially on textures that he doesn't like. In addition, taste the taste and temperature first so that the baby is not disturbed. Also note, if there are hard particles that can disturb it.

5. Be patient

Any attempt can fail if you don't have the patience to feed the baby. Therefore, having patience also includes how to deal with GTM children.

That's some important information related to baby GTM. Now, you already know the causes and ways to deal with the baby's mouth shut movements. Hopefully this information is useful for you and your little one!

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