LIFE WITH BABY
3
INTRODUCTION TO
Feeding Issues & Weaning
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hatever way you choose to feed your baby, be it bottle or breast, some complications may arise. More often than not any of these issues can be easily overcome; however, they can be distressing for both parents and the baby. Discomfort caused by gas is common and normal after feeding in the early months. Here we describe eight common concerns that parents may encounter when feeding their infant.
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POSSETING Posseting and regurgitation are terms given to the milk a baby brings up after feeding. Although a little posseting is natural, if it happens regularly – more than four times a day – and your baby brings up more than just a little bit of feed, there may be a chance that your baby has reflux. If you suspect your baby is posseting
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too much, you should speak to your doctor or public health nurse. VOMITING Vomiting is when your baby brings their entire feed back up. Vomiting usually happens a little longer after a feed than posseting and is a more forceful action with a larger volume and can smell unpleasant. Professor Eleanor Molloy is a consultant neonatologist at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin. “You should contact your doctor if your baby is vomiting regularly, if it’s a large amount, if it’s green coloured or contains blood,” she says. CONSTIPATION There is no “normal” when it comes to a baby’s bowel movements. If you’re concerned that your baby may be constipated, there are a couple of things to look for. Less frequent bowel movements than normal, obviously uncomfortable movements and hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass may be indicators
of constipation. Prof. Molloy suggests giving the baby some sugar water or even prune juice to increase intestinal movement and relieve constipation. FAILURE TO THRIVE Most newborn babies lose a little weight straight after birth. It is considered normal for a baby to lose up to 10 per cent of their body weight, but they should soon begin to put weight on if they are feeding correctly. There’s also no ideal amount or rate at which they should gain weight due to the fact that all babies are different. However, a very low rate of weight gain may need to be investigated. If you have any worries, get your baby weighed regularly and your public health nurse will let you know if there’s any cause for concern. BABY FEEDING CONSTANTLY A baby that wants to feed more than usual or for longer may
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