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Everything you need to know about common feeding problems & how to help support your little one

Raising your little one is a special time for both parent and baby, and those first few months are no exception. Whether you’re welcoming your first child or third, every baby is different, so it might take some time to learn their behaviours.


Not sure about common feeding problems in babies? Scroll on to learn more.


Colic


Colic is when your baby cries a lot and there’s no obvious cause. It’s quite common and should get better by around three or four months’ old. Your baby is experiencing the world for the first time, and one of the few ways they can communicate with you is through crying.


There are other reasons they might be crying. These could be:


  • They’re hungry
  • They have a dirty nappy
  • They have wind
  • They’re too hot or too cold


Your baby may have colic if they cry more than three hours a day for three days a week for at least one week, and they’re otherwise healthy.


There are some other signs that your baby could have colic. While they’re crying:


  • It might be difficult to soothe or settle them
  • They clench their firsts
  • Their face goes red
  • Their tummy rumbles or they’re windy
  • They bring their knees to their tummy, or they arch their back


It’s important to trust your instinct with your little one. So, if you think something’s wrong but you're not sure what, make sure to speak to your health visitor or GP, or call 111.


There are some ways you can help if your baby has colic. You could:


  • Hold them upright during feeding to avoid them swallowing air
  • Burping them after feeding
  • Gently rocking your baby while they’re crying
  • Bathing your baby in warm water to help relax them


If you’re bottle feeding, you can also try anti-colic bottles and teats, like the Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Newborn Starter Set.


Reflux & regurgitation


Reflux (when your baby brings up milk or is sick during or shortly after feeding) is common and typically gets better on its own.


Also known as regurgitation, other symptoms of reflux could be:


  • Coughing or hiccupping while feeding
  • Being unsettled while feeding
  • Swallowing or gulping after being burped, or after feeding
  • Crying and not settling
  • Not gaining weight because they’re not keeping enough food down


Sometimes, babies have signs of reflux without bringing up milk or being sick, and this is called silent reflux.


Make sure to let your health visitor know and they’ll be able to give you advice and support.


You can also help your baby by:


  • Holding your baby upright during feeding or for as long as possible afterwards
  • Burping your baby regularly during feeds
  • Making sure your baby sleeps flat on their back and not their front
  • Or, if your baby is formula-fed, giving them smaller but more frequent feeds

Constipation


Breast milk is a natural laxative, so a baby that is breastfeeding and aged between four days and six weeks should be passing at least two yellow coloured poos a day.


Every baby is different, and quickly you’ll learn what’s normal for your little one. It’s also common for your baby to become constipated when they start using infant formula or eating processed foods; their body is learning to cope with digesting new things, and just like with adults, new foods can sometimes cause constipation.


But, if your baby hasn’t pooed in the past 24 or 48 hours, speak to your health visitor or midwife because this might be a sign that they’re not getting enough milk.


It could also be because they’re not getting enough fluids. Like with grown-ups, a lack of fluid in a baby’s diet can make their poo harder and more difficult for them to push out. There are lots of reasons why this might happen; for example, they could be teething, poorly with an illness like a cold or ear infection or, if they’re older, not having enough fluids with their food.


You can try and help relieve constipation by:


  • Lying your baby on their back and gently moving their legs like they’re riding a bicycle
  • Giving your baby a gentle tummy massage


If your baby is having formula, you can try giving them extra water between feeds. Or, if your baby is older and eating solid foods, make sure they’re getting enough fibre-rich food in their diet, like apples, pears or prunes.


It might take a few days to relieve the constipation, but if it doesn’t, speak to your health visitor or GP.


What are the causes of feeding problems?

Improper latching


Breastfeeding is something that you and your baby learn together, so it might take some time to get the right technique. There are lots of different positions to breastfeed, and you can try them to see which one works best for you.


Our tips:


  • Make sure you’re comfortable; you might want to use a cushion
  • Make sure your baby’s head and body are in a straight line, making it easier for them to swallow
  • Support your baby’s neck, shoulders and back while holding them close to you; avoid holding the back of their head, because they’ll need to tilt their head back to swallow
  • Avoid leaning your breast towards them, and instead let them latch themselves onto you
  • Place your baby with their nose level to your nipple, to encourage them to open their mouth wide


Speak to your midwife or health visitor for more support with breastfeeding.


Telling your baby is getting enough milk


It might be tricky at first to understand if your baby is getting enough milk.


Some signs that your baby is getting enough milk include:


  • They start feeding with a few rapid sucks, then have longer ones
  • Their cheeks stay rounded out and not sucked in, and you can hear them swallowing
  • They seem calm while feeding, and naturally come off your breast when they’re full
  • They appear content and satisfied after most feeds
  • They’re healthy, and gaining weight steadily after the first two weeks (as it’s normal for babies to lose some birth weight before that); talk to your health visitor or midwife if they’re not or if they’re unsettled during or after breast feeds


After the first few days, your baby should be having at least six wet nappies every day, and after five or six days, their poo should stop looking black, and instead soft, runny and yellow.


Can you overfeed a baby?


You can’t overfeed a breastfed baby, and they won’t become spoiled if you feed them whenever they’re hungry or need comfort.


Because a newborn baby’s stomach is very small, they need to feed little but more often. Every baby is different, so some might prefer short, frequent feeds, longer feeds or a mix of both.


Over time, you should be able to get an idea of your baby’s cues and understand their unique feeding schedule. Breastfeeding isn’t just giving your baby enough milk – it’s also about giving them comfort and reassurance, and spending some quality time together.


Their feeding pattern might change as they get older, so it’s important to respond to them. But responsive feeding should also factor in you; you might want to also breastfeed if your breasts feel uncomfortably full or you need to fit in feeding around commitments.


Allergies & intolerances


It’s recommended that for the first six months of their life, your baby is exclusive breastfed or fed with first infant formula. But,at around six months old, you’ll start introducing solid foods into your baby’s diet. The NHS recommends that you carefully introduce foods that may trigger allergic reactions one at a time and in small amounts, so that if your baby has a reaction to them, you’ll spot it and know what food has caused it.


Food that might trigger allergic reactions include:


  • Dairy made from cows’ milk
  • Eggs
  • Foods containing gluten, such as bread, pasta and some cereals
  • Nuts, particularly peanuts
  • Seeds, like pumpkin, sesame and sunflower
  • Soya; lots of different processed foods contain soya, so make sure to check the ingredients label
  • Shellfish, like prawns, squid and crab
  • Fish


If your baby is already diagnosed with an allergy or eczema, or you have a family history of allergies, eczema, asthma or hay fever, make sure to speak to your GP or health visitor first. This is because you may need to be extra careful when introducing food that could trigger an allergic reaction.


When should I seek medical attention?


You know your baby best, so if you think something’s wrong, speak to your health visitor, GP, midwife or call 111 as soon as possible.


For breastfeeding information and support, you can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline at 0300 100 0212.


Your baby will grow up quicker than you know it, and although you may experience some challenges like discussed, feeding your baby will feel incredibly rewarding and special. Looking for more baby and newborn advice? Learn about how your baby will develop over those first six months plus more practical tips, like how to bath your baby.

Frequently asked questions

Why am I struggling to breastfeed?


There are lots of reasons why you might be struggling to breastfeed. This could be due to sore or cracked nipples, your baby not latching on properly or other reasons.


A lot of the time, you may experience these problems when you first start breastfeeding. Remember that breastfeeding is a skill that you and your baby will learn together, so it may take some time to get used to it – but, if you are struggling, make sure to speak to your midwife or health visitor as soon as possible.


Can you drink alcohol while breastfeeding?


Alcohol can pass into breastmilk, so you should wait at least two hours after having the occasional drink before breastfeeding your baby again. Regularly drinking over the recommended limit (14 units a week) or binge drinking frequently can be harmful for both you and your baby, so avoid this while breastfeeding.


How can I increase my breast milk supply?


There are some things you can do to try and increase your breast milk supply. Some examples include:


  • Only breastfeed your baby and not feed them anything other than breast milk; the more you breastfeed, the more you’ll produce
  • Wait until you’re both comfortable and confident with breastfeeding before giving your baby a dummy
  • Feed your baby when they want to, for as long as they need to
  • Offer both breasts when feeding, and switch breasts each feed
  • Hold your baby close or skin to skin while breastfeeding, as it encourages your body to produce milk
  • Avoid introducing solid food until your baby is ready; normally, this is around six months old


If you’re still worried, speak to your midwife or health visitor. They might refer you to a breastfeeding specialist, who can help give tailored advice for you and your baby.

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