Feeding Problems in Babies

One of the scariest issues for new parents is when their baby is unable to get enough of the nutrients he needs to grow and develop. Babies intuitively suckle on their mother's breast or a bottle, but sometimes other factors interrupt this intuition. Whatever feeding problem your baby is facing, be sure to work closely with your baby's health professional to overcome these challenges.

Breastfeeding

The first problem in breastfeeding for some mothers and babies is latching on. Breastfeeding is simply a new skill that both baby and first-time mom must acquire through practice. A lactation consultant from the local La Leche League can gently coach the mother in ways to help her baby latch on and breastfeed well. These professionals will also help with more serious issues, like inverted nipples or inadequate milk supply.

Bottle Feeding

Some parents are either unable to breastfeed or choose to use bottles with their child. This introduces an entirely different group of potential feeding problems. A bottle's nipple must allow milk or formula to escape into the baby's mouth, while simultaneously allowing air into the bottle---all without spilling. Most bottle manufacturers do this by creating tiny air holes in the nipple. If a baby's mouth covers the nipple's air hole or if the nipple is malfunctioning, the baby will not be able to extract milk, and thus become frustrated. The more frustrated a baby becomes, the more difficult it is to feed her. Lactation consultant at Breastfeeding.com, Jeanne Cygnus, suggests purchasing many different nipples to find the right fit for your baby.

Spitting Up vs. Reflux

Some parents fear that spitting up is a feeding problem and should not occur, however it is both common and normal. According to Children's Hospital Boston's website, spitting up is the result of an immature digestive system, where the sphincter muscle that sits between stomach and esophagus is not fully-developed. This means that even if the baby is receiving proper amounts of breast milk or formula, he is not physically able to keep it in his stomach. As your baby grows, this muscle will develop and spitting up will decrease until it stops, usually between 7 and 12 months.

Reflux is similar to spitting up, but the baby does not outgrow it. During reflux, stomach acid and contents come up into the esophagus and mouth, deteriorating the esophagus' lining. Reflux is dangerous because it can cause aspiration, but there are easy ways to help if your baby has reflux. For example, do smaller, more frequent feedings while the baby is sitting up with a diaper that's not too tight. Be sure to consult your baby's doctor to determine if your baby is spitting up or has reflux.

Vomiting

When a baby is very forcefully spitting up his entire meal, this is called vomiting. Vomiting is serious and parents should consult the child's doctor to determine the cause and a course of action. According to Merck Manuals Online Medical Library infantile vomiting's most common cause is gastroenteritis. It can also be caused by infections elsewhere in the body, such as ear and urinary tract infections. The good news is, once the baby has overcome whatever infection he had, the vomiting should stop as well.