Page 146 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

144 COMMON CONDITIONS: PROBLEMS IN BABIES

Feeding problems

Most feeding problems in babies occur in the early months. Some newborns need practice at latching on
to the breast, while bottle-fed babies may have trouble with different sizes of nipples and types of formula.
Babies who are not getting enough milk are often excessively sleepy and slow to gain weight, while those
who are overfed gain weight too quickly. Many breast-fed and bottle-fed babies effortlessly spit up small
amounts of milk after a feeding; this is not a cause for concern. Some, however, regurgitate larger amounts
of feeding and may wheeze. This condition, called reflux, may last for up to a year and is due to a weak
muscle at the entrance to the stomach. It is most common in premature babies or those whose muscle tone
is poor. A baby who feeds well but wakes screaming between feedings may have an allergy to milk.

See also Cracked nipples, p.126; Colic, p.148.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● Your baby can't feed or won't feed Successful breast-feeding It may
take a little practice for both you and your baby to
● Your baby has been feeding well, but has
get breast-feeding right. These simple steps will help.
developed problems
● Your baby regurgitates large volumes of milk ● Hold your baby with the head cradled in the crook
and/or there is blood in the vomit of your arm, the bottom well supported and the arm
● Your baby fails to gain or loses weight tucked around your body. Whenever possible, have
skin to skin contact with your baby during feedings.
● Stroke your baby’s cheek with a finger or your nipple
so that the mouth opens wide and your baby turns
What you can do yourself toward the nipple. Expressing a little milk onto the
nipple will help encourage your baby.
Most feeding problems resolve themselves over ● Aiming your nipple at the roof of the baby’s mouth,
time, but using the following tips will help. You make sure the nipple and as much of the areola around
can be sure that your newborn baby is feeding well it as possible is taken into the mouth. When the
if he or she produces 6 or more wet diapers a day, baby closes his or her mouth it will form a tight seal.
sleeps well, and gains weight at the predicted rate. ● If your baby sucks only on the end of the nipple, he
or she will not be getting milk and your nipple may
● Make sure your newborn baby feeds properly at
become sore. Ease the baby off the breast by gently
least 6 times in 24 hours. Don’t assume a sleepy inserting a finger into the corner of the mouth and
baby is "content"; wake your baby for feedings if reposition him or her to try again.
he or she is sleeping for more than 4 hours.
Sucking position
● Babies who gain weight too fast are usually Your baby should take
bottle-fed. Ask your doctor for advice about how the entire nipple and most
to regulate feeding. of the surrounding areola
into his or her mouth
● If your baby tends to spit up milk after a feeding, during breast-feeding.
change the diaper beforehand so that you don’t
have to disturb your baby too much after he or she The nipple is drawn to
has fed. Pause and burp your baby at intervals the back of the mouth
during the feeding, and hold him or her upright on
The jaws press on the
your lap afterward to allow gas to come up areola to pump milk
naturally. If you are bottle-feeding, try using a bottle
and nipple specifically designed to reduce gas.