Newborn Baby Feeding Problems- Causes and Helpful Information
There can be several different causes of feeding problems in newborn babies. They can range from those that are not serious to some that can be life threatening. Here are some of the more common feeding problems, the causes, and some helpful information to make baby feeding easier.
Breastfeeding Baby
Breast feeding is best for your baby; however, there are many reasons why a woman may not do so. For some women, breastfeeding, breast pumps, and nursing bras are not something they are comfortable with. There shouldn’t be a stigma of being a “bad mother” for these women, either. Some may be on medications that can harm the baby as they are passed through the breast milk. Others may have to return to work and are not comfortable expressing milk at work.
Some new mothers may not be able to get their baby to latch onto the nipple. Other mothers may not make enough milk, are too exhausted, or are ill. These feeding problems may require the mother to switch to feeding baby with a bottle.
There are some things you can do to make breast feeding a little easier if there are problems. Your doctor or nurse may be able to help you if the baby doesn’t latch on. There are lactation consultants that can advise you tips and techniques to help. This can also help if your baby is not latching on all the way, which can mean they always seem hungry. Expressing your milk or frequent feedings can help you produce more milk.
Other problems can include alcohol and breastfeeding, which is exactly the same as breastfeeding alcohol to your baby. You must make sure you are very careful about what you consume while you are breastfeeding, as this will go directly to your baby.
Bottle Feeding Baby
There are problems that can occur with bottle feeding, as well. Some will be specific to the bottle nipple, while others are related to the formula. Here are some of the more common problems with bottle feeding.
The nipple often causes a lot of problems when feeding. If the nipple hole is too small, then the baby may not be getting enough to eat. They may also fall asleep during the bottle feeding, as they become exhausted from working too hard for a little bit of milk. If the nipple hole is too big, the baby may gulp lots of air down with the formula, which will give them gas or tummy discomfort.
There are bottles available today that are angled to help keep air out of the baby’s tummy. This can help reduce gas after a feeding. Never prop a bottle up to feed a baby. The baby may end up choking.
Other Feeding Problems
There are some feeding problems that are not associated with either the breast or the bottle, but how the milk is processed by the baby’s body. Some babies suffer from pyloric stenosis. This is a condition where the lower part of the stomach becomes swollen, which may not allow the milk or formula to pass through into the intestines. The signs of this are usually vomiting up large quantities of milk and very forcefully.
Another problem that frequently occurs is when a baby is lactose intolerance. This can often results in lots of gas, stomach discomfort, and a very fussy baby. Switching formulas to those without lactose may fix this problem. Lactose intolerance is often confused with colic.
Colic is actually a condition that affects many babies and is when a baby cries intensely for hours after a feeding. There are all natural drops that may help calm a colic baby. You may find that the noise from the vacuum cleaner or the motion of sitting on top of the washer may soothe your colicky baby. Be sure you don’t leave your baby unattended on top of the washer.
If your baby does not seem to have an interest in food or is not gaining weight, see your pediatrician. There may be some sort of developmental problem. Make sure you stick to a baby feeding schedule, as this may help. You can also find a baby feeding guide to help you find answers to some of the problems with feeding.
Keeping your Baby Healthy with Proper Nutrition
There are many problems that can occur with baby feedings. If you feel there is a problem that you cannot solve, make sure you speak with your doctor. If your baby does not get enough to eat, there could more developmental problems later on. Your doctor will be able to advise you on how to correct many of the above problems. If you are interested in natural treatments, there are many that can help with feeding issues. However, before you begin any treatment with herbal formulas, you should ask your pediatrician.
