Common baby feeding issues

As your baby’s digestive system is still developing, you can expect a few feeding issues to occur. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

For a new mum it can be worrying when your baby doesn’t seem to be feeding as well as you’d expect, or they cry for long periods of time due to colic. It’s natural to think there’s something wrong, but often the problem is nothing serious and can be quickly remedied.

This article looks at the possible problems you and your baby may experience during feeding – such as colic, vomiting, diarrhoea and food allergies and intolerances – along with the potential causes and the solutions. Hopefully it will help you get to the root of the problem so you can both get back to enjoying feeding time.

Although it’s natural to us, feeding can be difficult to get the hang of at first – remember, your baby’s brand new to it. Still, sometimes there can be medical reasons behind feeding problems that can affect your baby’s appetite or the way in which they absorb food and vital nutrients.

While crying is your baby’s way of telling you they’re hungry, crying after feeding may mean trapped wind, and prolonged crying could be due to colic. Posseting is also a fairly common problem in many young babies and nothing to worry about in the majority of cases, however, regular vomiting and weight loss are more serious issues that will require support from your doctor.

Colic

The symptoms of colic include a flushed face, clenched fists, and legs pulled up to the chest with 2–3 hour spells of loud, often high pitched crying on most days of the week, often during the early evening. It tends to start in the first few weeks but usually disappears by around 3-4 months. Colic is very common – up to one in four young babies suffer from it.

Crying after feeding

If your baby is crying after their feed it’s likely to be colic or wind. Winding your baby properly after every feed may help. If it doesn’t and your baby still seems distressed, your doctor should be able to offer some advice, or give our Careline a call on 800 6458 6262 (UAE)/ 800 9871 654 (KSA) between 9am and 6pm, Sunday to Thursday in the UAE and 5am – 5pm in KSA.

Poor weight gain

Most newborn babies lose a little weight straight after birth, but they should soon begin to put weight on if they are feeding correctly. Since your newborn’s stomach is quite small, they will initially need feeding every two to three hours. But all babies are different, and there’s no ideal amount or rate at which they should gain weight.Your doctor will monitor your baby’s weight gain, and if there’s any cause for concern they’ll let you know.

Posseting

Posseting and regurgitation are terms used to refer to the little bit of milk a baby brings up after feeding. Although it’s natural, if your baby is posseting regularly – more than 4 times a day – and they’re bringing up more than just a little bit of feed, they may have reflux. Your doctor is the best person to speak to if you suspect your baby is posseting too much.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is usually caused by either a bug or a feeding issue – if you’re at all worried about it, the best person to speak to is your doctor.

Medical problems

If your baby has a cold or is feeling poorly for some other reason, it can put them off their food just as it would us. For example, a blocked-up nose can make it difficult to breathe and leave your baby reluctant to close their mouth to feed. If this happens, ask your doctor for ways to safely relieve your baby’s congestion.

Food allergies and intolerances

Food allergies and intolerances can be another explanation for weight loss or difficulty in feeding – it’s always worth getting your baby checked out by your doctor if you suspect there’s something wrong.

If you have any questions about feeding your baby, give our Careline team a call on 800 6458 6262 (UAE)/ +971 4 420 9489 (Other Countries) between the hours of 9am and 6pm Saturday to Thursday.